Spicy Sautéed Pork with Bell Peppers and Cilantro

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

Quick sautéed pork strips cooked with colorful bell peppers and a spicy chili-garlic sauce, garnished with fresh cilantro for a regional street-food inspired dish. This asian fusion-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs thinly sliced pork tenderloin, large, thinly sliced red bell pepper, large, thinly sliced yellow bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Asian Fusion cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork tenderloin and sauté for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes to the pork. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 large thinly sliced red bell pepper and 1 large thinly sliced yellow bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
  4. Step 4: Mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt in a small bowl. Pour this sauce over the pork and peppers, stirring to coat everything evenly. Cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the dish. Serve immediately with steamed rice or as desired.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Sautéed Pork with Bell Peppers and Cilantro 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 Sautéed Pork with Bell Peppers and Cilantro?

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 tenderloin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Sautéed Pork with Bell Peppers and Cilantro?

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 Sautéed Pork with Bell Peppers and Cilantro 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 Sautéed Pork with Bell Peppers and Cilantro?

Asian Fusion 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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