Spicy Pork Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Thai Basil
Quick stir-fried ground pork with colorful bell peppers in a spicy garlic sauce accented by fresh Thai basil leaves. This thai-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground pork, finely minced garlic cloves, fish sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 large, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 1 large, sliced into thin strips green bell pepper
- 5, finely minced garlic cloves
- 2, thinly sliced (adjust to taste) bird’s eye chili peppers
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup, loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves
- for serving lime wedges
- 2 cups cooked, for serving white rice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 5 finely minced garlic cloves and 2 thinly sliced bird’s eye chili peppers, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground pork, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 large sliced red bell pepper and 1 large sliced green bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until peppers are tender-crisp.
- Step 4: Add 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar to the pork and peppers. Toss well and cook an additional 2 minutes until sauce is absorbed and glossy.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves until wilted.
- Step 6: Serve immediately over 2 cups cooked white rice with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Pork Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Thai Basil 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 Spicy Pork Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Thai Basil?
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 ground pork from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Pork Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Thai Basil?
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 Pork Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Thai Basil for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Pork Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Thai Basil?
Thai 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.
