Spicy Hunan Stir-Fried Pork with Chili and Garlic

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

A fiery stir-fried pork dish from Hunan province, featuring bold chili and garlic flavors balanced with a savory soy-based sauce. This Chinese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 32 minutes, pairs pork tenderloin, vegetable oil, dried red chili peppers for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 20 min Cook: 12 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 12 oz thinly sliced pork tenderloin with 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine in a bowl; let marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 10 dried red chili peppers halves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, stir-frying for 20 seconds until aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Add the marinated pork to the wok and stir-fry vigorously for 4-5 minutes, until the pork edges are slightly crispy and cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tbsp water, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp ground white pepper, cooking for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pork.
  6. Step 6: Toss in 3 sliced green onion stalks and cook for 30 seconds more before removing from heat and serving immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Hunan Stir-Fried Pork with Chili and Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 32 minutes (20 min prep + 12 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 Spicy Hunan Stir-Fried Pork with Chili and 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 pork tenderloin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Hunan Stir-Fried Pork with Chili and 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 Spicy Hunan Stir-Fried Pork with Chili and 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 Spicy Hunan Stir-Fried Pork with Chili and 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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