Sichuan-Style Spicy Pork Stir-Fry with Garlic

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fiery pork stir-fry infused with fragrant garlic and bold Sichuan spices, balanced by a touch of sweetness. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs thinly sliced pork shoulder, finely minced garlic cloves, chopped dried red chili peppers for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 5 finely minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, 6 chopped dried red chili peppers, and 1 tsp lightly crushed Sichuan peppercorns; stir-fry for 1 minute until aromatic.
  2. Step 2: Add 400 g thinly sliced pork shoulder; stir-fry vigorously for 4-5 minutes until the pork starts to brown and is nearly cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp black vinegar, 1 tbsp hoisin sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar; mix thoroughly.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 medium sliced green bell pepper and 50 ml water; cook uncovered for 3 minutes until the bell pepper is tender-crisp and the sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Toss in 3 sliced scallion stalks; cook for an additional 1 minute to combine flavors. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sichuan-Style Spicy Pork Stir-Fry with Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sichuan-Style Spicy Pork Stir-Fry with Garlic?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep thinly sliced pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sichuan-Style Spicy Pork Stir-Fry with Garlic?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sichuan-Style Spicy Pork Stir-Fry with Garlic for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Sichuan-Style Spicy Pork Stir-Fry with Garlic?

Chinese pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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