Stir-Fried Pork with Garlic and Black Pepper Sauce

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

Quick and savory pork stir-fry with a bold garlic and black pepper sauce, perfect for a fast and flavorful weeknight dinner. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, garlic cloves, minced, black pepper, freshly ground for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the pork is browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Toss in 1 small sliced white onion and stir for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper. Mix well.
  5. Step 5: Pour 1/4 cup water into the pan and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pork.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 chopped green onion stalks. Serve immediately with steamed white rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Pork with Garlic and Black Pepper Sauce 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 Stir-Fried Pork with Garlic and Black Pepper Sauce?

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 pork shoulder, thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Pork with Garlic and Black Pepper Sauce?

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 Stir-Fried Pork with Garlic and Black Pepper Sauce 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 Stir-Fried Pork with Garlic and Black Pepper Sauce?

Asian 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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