Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Hunan Chili and Garlic

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

A fiery and aromatic stir-fry featuring tender pork slices tossed with Hunan chili paste and fresh garlic for a bold flavor punch. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs thinly sliced pork tenderloin, vegetable oil, Hunan chili paste 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: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering, then add 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, and 4 dried red chilies. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  2. Step 2: Add 12 oz thinly sliced pork tenderloin to the wok and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the edges begin to brown and the pork is cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp Hunan chili paste, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 1 tsp sugar. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the pork evenly.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 sliced scallions and 1 tsp sesame oil, tossing everything together for 1 minute. Season with salt to taste and remove from heat immediately to preserve freshness.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Hunan Chili and 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 Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Hunan 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 thinly sliced pork tenderloin from drying out.

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