Spicy Pork Stir-Fry with Garlic and Chili Peppers
Quick stir-fried pork strips tossed with fragrant garlic, fresh chili peppers, and a savory soy sauce glaze. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 20 minutes pairs pork tenderloin, thinly sliced, garlic cloves, minced, medium fresh red chili peppers, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork tenderloin, thinly sliced
- 5 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium fresh red chili peppers, sliced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water until smooth and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork tenderloin and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until just cooked through and starting to brown.
- Step 3: Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 2 sliced fresh red chili peppers to the pan and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour the prepared sauce over the pork and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pork evenly.
- Step 5: Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Remove from heat and drizzle with 1 tsp sesame oil.
- Step 6: Garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving hot with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Pork Stir-Fry with Garlic and Chili Peppers take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Garlic and Chili Peppers?
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 garlic cloves, minced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Pork Stir-Fry with Garlic and Chili Peppers?
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 Garlic and Chili Peppers 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 Garlic and Chili Peppers?
Asian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a game-changer. The garlic and chili peppers really shine.
- ★★★★★
Loved the spice level! Made it for my family and they all loved it.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty, but the pork was a bit tough. Next time I'll use a different cut.