Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Lotus Root and Chili
A fiery Hunan-style stir-fry combining tender pork with crunchy lotus root and bold chili flavors for a satisfying spicy dish. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 35 minutes pairs thinly sliced pork shoulder, minced garlic cloves, finely minced ginger 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.
Ingredients
- 300 g, thinly sliced pork shoulder
- 150 g, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds lotus root
- 10 pieces, halved and seeds removed dried red chilies
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, finely minced ginger
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine)
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 stalks, sliced into 1-inch pieces scallions
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 300 g thinly sliced pork shoulder with 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine; marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 10 halved dried red chilies and 1 tbsp finely minced ginger; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 3: Add the marinated pork and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the pork turns opaque and starts to brown.
- Step 4: Add 150 g peeled lotus root slices and 4 minced garlic cloves; continue stir-frying for 4 minutes until lotus root is tender-crisp and garlic is aromatic.
- Step 5: Pour in 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp white pepper; toss everything together for 1 minute until well combined and heated through.
- Step 6: Turn off heat, drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil, and mix in 2 sliced scallions; serve hot over steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Lotus Root and Chili take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Lotus Root and Chili?
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 shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Lotus Root and Chili?
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 Lotus Root and Chili 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 Lotus Root and Chili?
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.
