This is one of our favorite Chinese pork stir fry recipes, combining perfectly seared pork, stir fried vegetables, traditional spices, and a delicious teriyaki sauce. Our pork stir fry recipe is designed to be quick and easy to prepare, even for amateur cooks. Everything is cooked in two pans (or preferably a wok and a small pan), and the preparation is minimal, just chop some vegetables and measure out your spices.

Pork Stir Fry: A Crispy Teriyaki Recipe

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Category

Asian / Main Course

Servings

4

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of soy sauce (try low sodium for a healthier dish)
• 1/2 cup of water
• 3 tbs of brown sugar
• 1 tbs of clear honey
• 1 tsp of toasted sesame oil
• 1 tbs of cornstarch
• 1 cup of broccoli florets
• 1/2 cup of thinly sliced carrots
• 3/4 cup of cubed bell peppers
• 1 lbs pork tenderloin, thinly sliced or in 1-inch chunks
• 1 tbs ginger, minced
• 2 tsp garlic, minced
• 1 tbs sesame seeds
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. In a large pan or cast iron wok, heat one teaspoon of vegetable oil over medium heat.
2. When the oil is up to cooking temperature, add the broccoli florets along with the sliced carrots and sliced bell peppers and stir fry for around five minutes, or until the vegetables are soft but firm and have started to brown slightly.
3. Add salt and pepper according to your preference. Take the vegetables from the pan and set them aside in a foil-covered bowl to keep them warm and lock in the moisture.
4. For the sauce, stir together the soy sauce, brown sugar, clear honey, and sesame oil in a small pan over medium heat until all of the sugar has dissolved.
5. Mix the cornstarch with two tablespoons of water to create a smooth paste.
6. Heat the sauce mixture up to a rolling boil and stir in the cornstarch mixture, then allow it to continue boiling for 2-3 min, or until the sauce has thickened.
7. Add the rest of the vegetable oil to the wok and bring up to temperature. Now, add the sliced or cubed pork tenderloin, seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir fry the pork until the meat is thoroughly cooked and has begun to brown - this usually takes around 5 min.
8. When the pork is ready, add the garlic and ginger and cook for another couple of minutes.
9. Add the vegetables back to the pan or wok and pour the sauce over them. Toss all the ingredients to cover them evenly in the sauce.
10. Serve your pork teriyaki in shallow bowls, with a generous sprinkling of sesame seeds and noodles or rice as preferred.

Pork Stir Fry FAQ

Whether you are new to stir fry or just this recipe, this FAQ will answer any lingering question you may have about this recipe, including how you can spice it up and make it your own!

Are there any variations for this Pork Stir Fry recipe?

Yes, like any stir fry, almost any vegetable will work. It is really just up to your taste preferences. Here are a few options you can try out if you aren't sure where to start:

• Ginger pork stir fry - Spice up your teriyaki pork stir fry by adding a couple of extra teaspoons of minced ginger for a fiery kick, which works well with the underlying sweetness of the sauce.
• Extra hot stir fried pork - If the ginger pork isn't quite spicy enough for you, you can increase the heat of the pork stir fry sauce by adding chopped fresh chilies. You can use jalapenos or habaneros. You can also add Szechuan pepper if you have it available for an authentic Chinese flavor profile.
• Pork chop stir fry - Stir fry pork chops instead of slices of pork tenderloin. You can keep the meat on the bone or remove it. If you keep it on the bone, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly to ensure the meat is cooked through.

What is teriyaki sauce?

Teriyaki originates as a cooking technique used in Asian cuisine. The word teri means ‘shining’, whilst yaki means ‘to grill’ or ‘to broil’. It is the act of brushing a seasoning onto certain foods – in this case creating teriyaki pork. The teriyaki sauce is made from four main ingredients – soy sauce, sake/mirin, sugar, and ginger. There are different variants of the sauce in different areas, all with a delicious flavor.

What are the differences between pork tenderloins and pork chops?

Pork tenderloins and chops differ firstly because of their size – pork tenderloins are thin and small, whilst pork chops are wider and easier to cut. As their name suggests, pork tenderloins are tender, but are also able to be cooked at quite a high heat, making them a perfect addition to this stir fry recipe. In comparison, pork chops take longer to cook, but as shown above, can still be successfully substituted into this teriyaki pork dish as long as you slice them into thin strips.

What type of noodles should I use?

A common serving suggestion for the pork stir fry recipe is the addition of noodles. Some of the most popular include the wheat noodle – made used wheat flour and eggs – and the Ramen noodle, which is commonly served with pork but its texture is a lot thinner than other noodles, so you need to be careful not to overcook them.

You can even use spaghetti or linguini pasta to add to the dish – linguini is thicker and flatter than traditional spaghetti but can still be used effectively.

Can I add other vegetables to the pork stir fry?

One of the main attractions of a stir fry is that you can add as many or as few vegetables as you choose! All vegetables do have different water contents and need to be added to the wok or large pan at different times in order to create the perfect pork stir fry dish.

Vegetables with higher water contents include sweet peppers, spinach, and spring onion, whilst those with lower water contents include steamed/roasted broccoli and beans. The list does not end there though – you could also add mushrooms, sugar snap peas, and baby corn.

If you are using vegetables that have multiple textures, such as gai lan (commonly served with ginger and garlic) then you should add its stems to the wok pan first before adding the leaves. You could even try adding a sweet potato as another alternative.

You can also add certain fruits to the stir fry. Pineapple is one of the more popular fruits, as it can be sliced into chunks and cooks relatively quickly. Fresh cut oranges also work well.

How healthy is the pork stir fry?

Stir fries are one of the healthiest options out there and can be made using very few ingredients. The vegetables add taste and textures, whilst giving you key minerals and nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium. Pork tenderloin is rich in B vitamins, including vitamin B-12, and also high in protein as well. Adding a light amount of seasoning to the pork upon serving, as detailed in the recipe, helps to make the dish taste even better.

However you decide to serve up this dish, it is sure to please everyone! This recipe will quickly earn a spot in your favorite cookbook!

Enjoyed this recipe? Check out more delicious cast iron wok recipes, such as beef stir fry, chicken yakisoba, or shrimp pad thai!