This easy sweet and sour sauce is paired with grilled pork, pineapple, red pepper and spaghetti squash for a lighter version of the classic. It’s quick, easy and perfect for a weeknight!
Remember that time where you went to an Asian buffet, and your eyeballs decided that you should eat WAY more than your stomach can handle, so you ate ALL the chicken fried rice, sweet and sour pork and sesame chicken….and you felt so full of energy, and your skinny jeans fit PERFECTLY afterwards?
Me neither. Because it didn’t happen.
In fact, the last time that the hubskerdoodle and I went face-first into a Styrofoam box of chicken fried rice, we spent the rest of the evening crying in discomfort and lying on the couch like couched whales.
It was also our anniversary that day. Clearly, it was full of romance.
Sidenote: The hubs told me to tell you that he was not crying. Only I cried. He doesn’t cry because he is a man and stuff.
Now, I am not one to tell you to never go to “Happy China Buffet” down the street. Heck, I LOVE me some sweet and sour pork and any orange beef stir fry. Sometimes I even go walk around the food court, slowing down at Panda Express and hoping that they wave a little toothpick of yumminess in my face.
I have even debated bringing a stick on mustache, so I could walk around TWICE in one day. Fo’ realz.
Do you think they would buy it?
HOW-EV-ER, I’m just telling you that “Happy China Buffet” is a liar. The name should really be “Sad Day for Tummy China Buffet” if it is REALLY being honest.
So, for those days when you get THE craving, but aren’t willing to give the rest of your day over to feeling like you are about to have a take-out baby, I have solved your dilemma.
In the wise words of my momma: Pick your battles.
Yes, this was her advice on marriage BUT it works for this recipe too.
Marriage, sweet and sour pork. Same thing.
Anyway. What I mean is this: To me, it’s all about the sauce, so I made a classic, thick, easy sweet and sour sauce. Kinda like the one on this Gluten-Free Sweet and Sour Chicken from Gluten-Free Palate.
BUT, I swapped in pork and, internet friends, it ain’t no thang!
And by that I mean, it’s not deep fried or breaded; it’s grilled. You knew what I meant though, right?
I also stuck it over some spaghetti squash, just like the paleo spaghetti squash bowls, instead of fried rice, to keep it even lighter. Plus, squash is just tasty. Squash for President I always say.
Except, that’s the first time I’ve said that.
I’m trying to think of something funny and witty to say to end this post so that you will be all “MUST PUT PORK IN MOUF NOW” Buttt, I got nothin’.
So, why don’t you head over the Julies Eats and Treats to grab the Grilled Sweet and Sour Pulled Pork Recipe?
Also: I’m looking for friends to join the “We wear fake mustaches to steal Panda Express Samples” Club.
You in?

Ingredients
- 1 Cup Pineapple juice
- 1 1/2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Reduced-sugar Ketchup
- 1/4 Cup + 3 Tbsp Brown sugar packed
- 1/4 Cup + 2 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Cornstarch *
- 4 Pork chops I use a lean center cut
- 1 Large spaghetti squash
- 1 Large red bell pepper cut into large chunks
- 1 1/2 Cups Pineapple chunks drained
- Green onion sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup and brown sugar until well mixed and the sugar is dissolved. Place the pork chops into the bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- To roast the squash:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Cut the squash in half and scoop out all the seeds. Place the squash cut side down on the prepared tray and bake until it is fork tender, about 30-40 minutes. Let cool.
- To prepare:
- Preheat you grill to medium/high heat and place the pork chops, pineapple and red pepper chunks on it. Cook until the meat is no longer pink inside, but be sure to not cook it to long or it will be very dry. It takes about 2-4 minutes per side**. Transfer the pork, pineapple and pepper to a plate, cover and keep warm until the sauce is ready.
- To make the sauce:
- Pour the pineapple juice mixture that the meat was marinating in into a large sauce pan and add the water and cornstarch. Whisk quickly so that the cornstarch dissolves without getting lumpy.
- Turn the heat to high and bring the sauce to a boil, letting it boil until it begins to thicken (about 1 minute) stirring constantly.
- Turn the heat down to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens - about 5-7 minutes more. Please note that it thickens up quite a bit, so don't cook it too long or you will have jello once it cools!
- To serve:
- Scrape the spaghetti squash out of it's shell with a fork and divide among plates. Top with pork, pineapple, pepper, sauce and garnish with sliced green onions.
- DEVOUR
Tips & Notes:
*the pineapple may take less time to cook,so just watch to make sure that it doesn't burn!
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
Want more spaghetti squash?
BBQ Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Squash-y ideas from around the web:
Paleo Spaghetti Squash Hawaiian Pizza Pie – Smile Sandwich
Spaghetti Squash Tostadas – Taste and Tell
Tex-Mex Spaghetti Squash Boats – Ifoodreal
[email protected]+The+Sweetphi+Blog says
So, #1- I totally lol’d about your ‘romantic’ anniversary, sounds like something I would do! #2-Love the new nicknames you come up with for the hubby, as if ‘huberoni’ wasn’t enough, now ‘hubskerdoodle’ lol and #3-girl, this looks so delicious! Totally need to make this asap!
Taylor Kiser says
1. SO glad we aren’t the only ones! 2. I think you and me are the only one that like the names…him? notsomuch ha!
3. THANKS!! 😀
Jordan @ Smile Sandwich says
Love spaghetti squash AND sweet and sour sauce! And umm … definitely up for the fake mustache club. 😉 Thanks for including my pizza pie recipe!
Taylor Kiser says
YES, another addition the mustache club! You’re so welcome Jordan! Thanks! 🙂
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
Too bad there is no such thing as Happy Chinese Buffet…I agree. All Liars i tell ya. And this pork. I need in my life as my hubby would give me the wife of the year for actually making him Chinese food since I am usually never a fan. Winner right here!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha! You must make it then. I know they say happy wife happy life, but I think there is something to say for happy husbands too! 😉 Thanks lady!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Now that I’ve wiped the tears from my eyes from laughing so hard…I totally want to make this for the fam! We love us some Chinese but that take-out baby I get from it is a little annoying 🙂 Pinned!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha, I am glad you enjoyed both my zany post and the recipe girl! Food babies aren’t so fun! Thanks for the pin! 😀
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
anything with sweet and sour sauce and pork i can’t get enough of.. love the taste of both together so much!
Taylor Kiser says
Me too! A match made in heaven! Thanks Thalia!
[email protected] says
This dish looks simple, colorful and delicious! I love anything “sweet and sour” and like how light this version is. Yum!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Sarah, I am a sucker for sweet and sour too girl!
Cassie says
I was craving something like this yesterday night but was too lazy to make anything!! Just pinned, we always have grilled veggies around, so excited to make this!
Taylor Kiser says
Woo hoo! Aren’t grilled veggies THE BEST?! Thanks so much for the pin Cassie, please let me know if ya try it! 😀
Alyssa says
I just died reading your blog post. I love the humor you added to it! Great recipe too!! 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Alyssa! I’m glad the zaniness didn’t scare ya off! 😀
[email protected]+Shared+Appetite says
Oh yes…. spaghetti squash! How I’ve missed you. And this sweet and sour pork… oh heck yes! Loving this dish Taylor!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Chris! yay for squash season!! 😀
Shauna - The Best Blog Recipes says
I’m loving that this is Gluten Free! And your photography is amazing 😉
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much girlfriend!! 😉