This Ground Pork Stir Fry is a delightful fusion of savory, sweet, and a touch of spice, making it a meal that’s both comforting and vibrant. The rich, glossy sauce coats each bite of juicy ground pork and crisp-tender veggies, bringing depth and flavor to every mouthful.
The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility. You can customize the vegetables to your preference—bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, or any veggie hiding in your fridge will work wonderfully. This is a fantastic recipe to get creative with, and it makes for a perfect quick dinner after a busy day or for meal prepping.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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1/2 cup soy sauce
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2 Tbsp honey or sugar
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2 Tbsp Shaoxing wine (or substitute mirin or cooking sake)
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2 Tbsp rice vinegar
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2 Tbsp water
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1 Tbsp cornstarch
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2 tsp sesame oil
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1 tbsp vegetable oil
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2 Tbsp shallots, finely minced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
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1 lb ground pork
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Salt and white pepper, to taste
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1 large head broccoli, chopped (or your choice of veggies like bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms, etc.)
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Garnishes: sesame seeds, green onions (cut on a bias), chili flakes (optional)
Directions:
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Whisk together the sauce ingredients (soy sauce, honey, Shaoxing wine, rice vinegar, water, cornstarch, and sesame oil) and set aside.
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Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add shallots, garlic, and ginger. Cook for 30-60 seconds, careful not to burn the garlic.
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Add ground pork, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and season with salt and white pepper. Cook until browned.
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Add the chopped broccoli (and any other veggies you’re using) to the pan. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender.
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Add the cooked pork back into the pan, then pour in the sauce mixture. Let it simmer, thickening the sauce and coating the pork and veggies.
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Serve over rice, chow mein, or ramen. Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and chili flakes, if desired.
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes Kcal: 318 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Why Choose Ground Pork for Stir Fry?
Ground pork may not always be the first protein that comes to mind when thinking about stir fry, but it’s a fantastic option for several reasons. First, ground pork cooks quickly and evenly, making it perfect for a fast-paced stir-fry. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that pairs wonderfully with a variety of vegetables and sauces. This versatility allows ground pork to complement different flavor profiles, whether you prefer something sweet, savory, spicy, or a combination of all three.
Additionally, ground pork is budget-friendly compared to other meats like beef or chicken, making it a great option for families or anyone looking to save money while still enjoying a delicious and filling meal. It’s also easily available in most grocery stores, which further adds to its convenience.
The Beauty of Stir Fry: A Quick and Versatile Meal
One of the greatest things about stir-fry is how versatile it is. This dish allows for an incredible amount of creativity in both the ingredients and the seasonings. While this particular recipe focuses on ground pork, you can easily substitute other proteins like chicken, turkey, or beef depending on your preferences. The beauty of stir-fry is that you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand, whether it’s broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, or any other vegetables that you enjoy or need to use up from the fridge.
The quick cooking process ensures that the vegetables retain their vibrant color and crisp-tender texture, which adds not only flavor but also visual appeal to the dish. The stir-fry method also helps to preserve the nutrients in the vegetables, making it a healthy and well-balanced meal.
The Sauce That Makes All the Difference
While the choice of protein and vegetables is important, the sauce is what truly elevates a stir-fry. The combination of soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, rice vinegar, honey or sugar, and sesame oil creates a well-balanced flavor that’s savory, slightly sweet, and just the right amount of tangy. The Shaoxing wine, a traditional Chinese cooking wine, adds a layer of depth and complexity that is often found in restaurant-quality stir-fries. If you can’t find Shaoxing wine, don’t worry—substitutes like mirin, cooking sake, or dry sherry will also do the trick.
The sauce also has the perfect consistency, thanks to a bit of cornstarch, which helps to thicken it and allows it to cling to the pork and vegetables, ensuring that every bite is full of flavor. This thick, glossy sauce is a signature feature of stir-fry dishes and is what makes them so irresistible.
Customization Options for Your Stir Fry
One of the best aspects of Ground Pork Stir Fry is its flexibility. You can easily modify the recipe to suit your taste preferences, dietary needs, or whatever ingredients you have in your pantry. For example, if you prefer a spicier dish, you can add extra chili flakes or even a dash of hot sauce to the sauce. If you’re not a fan of certain vegetables, simply swap them out for others. Mushrooms, snow peas, zucchini, and bok choy are all excellent additions to this stir-fry.
If you’re looking to make this dish healthier, you can serve it with a low-carb option like cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps instead of traditional rice or noodles. For those who are gluten-free, simply use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and make sure to check the other ingredients for hidden gluten.
Why Ground Pork Stir Fry Is Ideal for Busy Weeknights
In today’s fast-paced world, many people are looking for meals that are both quick and easy without compromising on taste or nutrition. Ground Pork Stir Fry fits perfectly into this category. With a prep time of just 5 minutes and a cooking time of around 15 minutes, it’s a meal that can be prepared from start to finish in less than 30 minutes. This makes it ideal for busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal but don’t have a lot of time to spare.
The simplicity of the recipe also means that cleanup is minimal. Since it’s a one-pan meal, there’s no need for multiple pots and pans, which helps to reduce both the cooking time and the mess afterward. This makes it a great choice for anyone who wants a quick and easy dinner without a lot of fuss.
Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers
If you’re someone who likes to meal prep or make enough food for leftovers, Ground Pork Stir Fry is an excellent option. The stir-fry holds up well in the refrigerator and can be stored for up to 4 days in an airtight container. If you want to make a larger batch, the recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
When reheating leftovers, the dish still tastes just as delicious, with the flavors continuing to meld together. It can also be served with a variety of sides, such as rice, noodles, or even a fresh salad, giving you plenty of options for reimagining the leftovers throughout the week.
Health Benefits of Ground Pork Stir Fry
Not only is Ground Pork Stir Fry a quick and tasty dish, but it also offers several health benefits. Ground pork is a good source of protein, which is essential for muscle growth and repair. It’s also rich in B vitamins, especially B6 and B12, which play a role in energy production and the health of the nervous system.
The vegetables in the stir-fry add fiber, vitamins, and minerals, contributing to a balanced meal that supports overall health. Fiber is particularly important for digestion and can help to keep you feeling full longer, while the variety of vegetables ensures that you get a wide range of nutrients with every bite.
Conclusion: Why You Should Add Ground Pork Stir Fry to Your Menu
Ground Pork Stir Fry is the perfect combination of convenience, flavor, and versatility. With its quick cooking time, customizable ingredients, and delicious sauce, it’s a dish that can easily become a staple in your meal rotation. Whether you’re cooking for your family, prepping for the week ahead, or looking for a fast weeknight dinner, this stir-fry has got you covered.
The ability to modify the dish based on your preferences or what you have available in your fridge makes it a flexible option that suits a variety of tastes and dietary needs. Plus, it’s a budget-friendly meal that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or quality, making it a great choice for anyone looking to enjoy a restaurant-quality dish at home without breaking the bank.
So, next time you’re in the mood for something quick, tasty, and satisfying, give Ground Pork Stir Fry a try. It’s a meal that is sure to please both the palate and the schedule.