Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Pork with Peppers

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

Tender pork strips stir-fried with bell peppers and a bold Szechuan sauce delivering a perfect balance of heat and savory flavor. This chinese-inspired stir fry ready in about 30 minutes pairs soy sauce, cornstarch, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 310 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1 lb sliced pork tenderloin with 3 tbsp soy sauce and 2 tbsp cornstarch until pork strips are evenly coated and slightly sticky.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 tsp toasted and ground Szechuan peppercorns and 6 broken dried red chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add the coated pork strips to the wok and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until pork is browned and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
  5. Step 5: Add 1 medium sliced green bell pepper, 1 medium sliced red bell pepper, and 2 sliced scallions. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
  6. Step 6: Pour in 1 tbsp rice vinegar and sprinkle 1 tsp sugar, tossing everything together for 1 more minute until the sauce slightly thickens and coats the pork and peppers.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Pork with Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Peppers?

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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Pork with Peppers?

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 Peppers 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 Peppers?

Chinese stir fry 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.