Stir-Fried Pork with Missouri Bootheel Sweet Peppers and Garlic
A quick stir-fry featuring tender pork strips sautéed with sweet peppers and garlic, inspired by flavors from the Missouri Bootheel region. This asian fusion-inspired pork ready in about 27 minutes pairs minced garlic cloves, soy sauce, sesame oil 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced into 1/4-inch strips pork tenderloin
- 3 medium (red, yellow, and orange), sliced into 1/2-inch strips sweet bell peppers
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 stalks, sliced thin green onions
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork tenderloin strips and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until browned and almost cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 3 sliced sweet bell peppers to the wok. Continue to stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the peppers are tender-crisp and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes, tossing to coat the pork and vegetables in the sauce until it thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving over steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Pork with Missouri Bootheel Sweet Peppers and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Missouri Bootheel Sweet Peppers and Garlic?
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 minced garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Pork with Missouri Bootheel Sweet Peppers and Garlic?
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 Missouri Bootheel Sweet Peppers and Garlic 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 Missouri Bootheel Sweet Peppers and Garlic?
Asian Fusion 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.
