Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Pork with Crispy Peanuts

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

A bold, spicy pork stir-fry featuring signature Szechuan peppercorn heat and crunchy peanuts for texture contrast. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 35 minutes pairs grams pork shoulder, thinly sliced, dried red chili peppers, chopped, garlic cloves, minced 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 400 grams thinly sliced pork shoulder with 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 1 tbsp soy sauce. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 5 chopped dried red chili peppers and 1 tsp toasted ground Szechuan peppercorns, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Add the marinated pork and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until pork is cooked and edges slightly crisp.
  4. Step 4: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, and 3 sliced green onions, stirring constantly for 1 minute until aromatic.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 3 tbsp water. Cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pork.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat, toss in 1/3 cup roasted peanuts, and serve immediately with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Pork with Crispy Peanuts 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 Szechuan Stir-Fried Pork with Crispy Peanuts?

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 Szechuan Stir-Fried Pork with Crispy Peanuts?

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 Szechuan Stir-Fried Pork with Crispy Peanuts 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 Szechuan Stir-Fried Pork with Crispy Peanuts?

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.

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