Why You’ll Love this Sizzling Pork Chop Suey
When you’re craving something that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors, this sizzling pork chop suey delivers in every single bite. The tender pork cubes, simmered until they practically melt in your mouth, combine with crisp celery and the earthy goodness of mushrooms to create a texture paradise.
I love how the molasses and soy sauce create that perfect sweet-salt harmony that’s impossible to resist.
And can we talk about those bean sprouts? They add the most satisfying crunch. Serve it over fluffy rice and watch as everyone at your table falls silent—the universal sign of culinary approval, right?
What Ingredients are in Sizzling Pork Chop Suey?
This beloved comfort dish relies on a perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and a savory-sweet sauce that brings everything together beautifully. The beauty of chop suey is how simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary when they mingle together. The recipe has been perfected over 45 years, so you know these ingredients have stood the test of time.
- 5-6 pork steaks, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 yellow onion, sliced into long slivers
- 3 stalks celery, sliced thin on diagonal
- 8-10 fresh white mushrooms (or 2 small cans of stems and pieces)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 (14 ounce) cans bean sprouts, undrained
- 4 tablespoons molasses
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 1 (14 ounce) can Swanson chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Long grain rice for serving
When shopping for these ingredients, quality matters but doesn’t need to break the bank. The pork steaks are the star, so choose ones with good marbling for tenderness. And while fresh mushrooms provide the best texture, canned mushrooms work perfectly fine in a pinch—this recipe is wonderfully flexible that way. If you’re watching sodium, you might consider low-sodium soy sauce and chicken broth, as the recipe creates such a flavorful sauce that you won’t miss the extra salt.
How to Make this Sizzling Pork Chop Suey
Making this soul-warming pork chop suey is all about layering flavors and allowing the ingredients time to meld together. Start by preparing all your ingredients—cube those 5-6 pork steaks into ½-inch pieces, slice your yellow onion into long slivers, cut the 3 celery stalks thinly on a diagonal, and chop up those 8-10 fresh mushrooms (or open your canned mushrooms if that’s what you have on hand).
Prep work makes the cooking process so much smoother, doesn’t it? Using a professional food processor can significantly reduce your prep time for ingredients like onions and celery. While you’re at it, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with ½ cup of water in a small bowl and set aside—this slurry will work magic later when we thicken the sauce.
Now for the cooking magic. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a deep pan or Dutch oven (a pressure cooker works wonders if you have one), then add 2 tablespoons of butter until it bubbles. Add those pork cubes and—here’s the secret—don’t stir for about 2 minutes. This allows the meat to develop that gorgeous brown crust that equals flavor.
After browning, toss in your sliced onion, celery, and mushrooms along with ½ teaspoon of white pepper. Cook everything over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the vegetables soften. Then pour in the can of Swanson chicken broth, ⅓ cup of soy sauce, and those 2 cans of undrained bean sprouts. The molasses goes in next—all 4 tablespoons—creating that signature sweet-savory balance. Give everything a good taste and adjust with more soy sauce or molasses until you hit that perfect flavor harmony.
The final stage is where patience transforms this dish from good to memorable. Cover and let it simmer for at least an hour (if using a pressure cooker, 10 minutes at pressure will do the trick, followed by a natural release and 20 minutes more of simmering).
When the pork reaches fork-tender perfection, stir in that cornstarch mixture you prepared earlier and bring to a quick boil while stirring. Reduce the heat and let it cook for about 15 more minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken into a glossy coating.
Meanwhile, cook your rice—1 cup of long grain rice with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt, covered and set to the lowest heat for 25 minutes. When everything’s ready, ladle that gorgeous chop suey over a bed of fluffy rice and watch everyone’s eyes light up.
And here’s some good news for busy folks—this chop suey freezes beautifully for future comfort meals.
Sizzling Pork Chop Suey Substitutions and Variations
While classic pork chop suey follows a time-honored formula, the beauty of this dish lies in its flexibility for customization based on what you have in your pantry.
Don’t have pork steaks? Try chicken thighs, thinly sliced beef, or make it vegetarian with extra mushrooms and firm tofu. Can’t find bean sprouts? Substitute with snow peas or cabbage for that crucial crunch. The molasses can be swapped for brown sugar or honey, though you’ll lose some of that rich depth. I’m particularly fond of adding water chestnuts or bamboo shoots for extra texture. Worried about sodium? Try low-sodium soy sauce and broth.
What to Serve with Sizzling Pork Chop Suey
Although pork chop suey traditionally comes served over a bed of fluffy long-grain rice, your side dish options can extend far beyond this classic pairing.
I’m a fan of steamed broccoli or bok choy alongside this savory dish—the crisp vegetables provide a revitalizing contrast to the rich sauce.
For something more substantial, try serving it with crispy egg rolls or simple spring rolls.
Can you imagine the satisfying crunch paired with that saucy goodness?
A light cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing works beautifully too, cutting through the umami flavors.
And don’t forget hot tea—it’s practically mandatory with Chinese-inspired meals like this.
Final Thoughts
This comforting pork chop suey recipe has become one of my absolute favorites for those nights when I’m craving something deeply satisfying yet different from the usual dinner rotation. There’s something magical about that perfect balance of sweet molasses and savory soy sauce, isn’t there? The tender pork cubes practically melt in your mouth after that slow simmer.
What I love most is how versatile it can be—make extra for freezing, adjust the sweet-salty balance to your taste, or even swap in different vegetables depending on what’s in your fridge. A true family comfort food that stands the test of time.
