Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Pickled Chilies and Garlic Scapes
A fiery Hunan-style stir-fry featuring tender pork slices with the signature tang of pickled chilies and the fresh crunch of garlic scapes. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs thinly sliced pork shoulder, chopped pickled red chilies, cut into 1-inch pieces garlic scapes 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
- 2 tbsp, chopped pickled red chilies
- 100 g, cut into 1-inch pieces garlic scapes
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp sugar
- 50 ml chicken broth
- 1 stalk, sliced diagonally green onion
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, marinate 300 g thinly sliced pork shoulder with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 1 tsp cornstarch for 15 minutes to tenderize and flavor.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger and 4 minced garlic cloves, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add the marinated pork slices and stir-fry vigorously for 3-4 minutes until the edges begin to brown and the pork is nearly cooked through.
- Step 4: Toss in 2 tbsp chopped pickled red chilies and 100 g garlic scapes cut into 1-inch pieces, stir-frying for 2 minutes until the scapes are tender-crisp and the chilies release their aroma.
- Step 5: Pour in 50 ml chicken broth and sprinkle 1 tsp sugar, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pork and vegetables.
- Step 6: Finish by folding in 1 sliced green onion stalk and remove from heat immediately to preserve freshness.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Pickled Chilies and Garlic Scapes take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 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 Stir-Fried Pork with Pickled Chilies and Garlic Scapes?
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 Pickled Chilies and Garlic Scapes?
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 Pickled Chilies and Garlic Scapes 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 Pickled Chilies and Garlic Scapes?
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.
