Sizzling Pork and Pepper Stir-Fry: A Flavorful Weeknight Delight
Stir-fries are a weeknight dinner staple for a reason: they’re quick, easy, and incredibly versatile. This Pork and Pepper Stir-Fry is no exception. Bursting with savory pork, colorful bell peppers, and a luscious sauce, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Get ready to elevate your stir-fry game with this flavorful recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Pork and Pepper Stir-Fry
* **Quick and Easy:** Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
* **Flavorful:** A delightful blend of savory pork, sweet peppers, and a tangy sauce.
* **Versatile:** Easily customizable with your favorite vegetables and seasonings.
* **Healthy:** Packed with protein and vitamins.
* **Budget-Friendly:** Uses simple, affordable ingredients.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s gather our ingredients. This recipe serves 4 people. Adjust the quantities as needed based on your serving size.
**For the Pork Marinade:**
* 1 pound pork tenderloin or pork shoulder, thinly sliced
* 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar (or dry sherry)
* 1 teaspoon sesame oil
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
**For the Stir-Fry:**
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or peanut oil)
* 1 red bell pepper, sliced
* 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
* 1 green bell pepper, sliced
* 1 medium onion, sliced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 inch ginger, grated
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* 2 tablespoons soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
* 1 tablespoon brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon sesame oil
* 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
* Cooked rice, for serving
* Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)
* Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed instructions to create a perfect Pork and Pepper Stir-Fry every time.
**Step 1: Prepare the Pork**
1. **Slice the Pork:** If using pork tenderloin, slice it thinly against the grain. If using pork shoulder, trim any excess fat and slice it thinly as well. Aim for slices that are about 1/8 inch thick. Uniform slices will cook more evenly.
2. **Marinate the Pork:** In a medium bowl, combine the sliced pork with soy sauce, cornstarch, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, and white pepper. Mix well to ensure the pork is evenly coated. The cornstarch will help tenderize the pork and create a slight crust when stir-fried.
3. **Let it Marinate:** Cover the bowl and let the pork marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for maximum flavor. While the pork marinates, you can prepare the vegetables and sauce.
**Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables**
1. **Wash and Slice the Peppers:** Wash the bell peppers thoroughly. Remove the stems, seeds, and membranes. Slice the peppers into strips about 1/4 inch wide. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly in the stir-fry.
2. **Slice the Onion:** Peel the onion and slice it thinly.
3. **Mince the Garlic and Grate the Ginger:** Mince the garlic cloves and grate the ginger. Fresh garlic and ginger add a wonderful aroma and flavor to the stir-fry.
**Step 3: Prepare the Sauce**
1. **Combine the Sauce Ingredients:** In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), brown sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your desired level of spice. The oyster sauce adds a rich, umami flavor, but it can be omitted if you prefer.
2. **Prepare the Cornstarch Slurry:** In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. This slurry will thicken the sauce at the end of cooking.
**Step 4: Stir-Fry the Pork and Vegetables**
1. **Heat the Oil:** Heat a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add the vegetable oil (or peanut oil) and heat until it shimmers. The wok should be very hot to ensure the pork sears quickly and doesn’t stick to the pan.
2. **Stir-Fry the Pork:** Add the marinated pork to the wok in a single layer. If you have too much pork to fit in the wok without overcrowding, work in batches. Stir-fry the pork for 2-3 minutes, or until it is browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the pork from the wok and set aside.
3. **Stir-Fry the Vegetables:** Add the sliced onions to the wok and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, until they are slightly softened. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and stir-fry for another 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
4. **Add the Bell Peppers:** Add the sliced bell peppers to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, until they are tender-crisp. You want the peppers to retain some of their crunch.
5. **Combine and Simmer:** Return the cooked pork to the wok with the vegetables. Pour the sauce over the pork and vegetables and bring to a simmer.
6. **Thicken the Sauce:** Stir the cornstarch slurry and pour it into the wok. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes. The sauce should be glossy and coat the pork and vegetables evenly.
**Step 5: Serve and Garnish**
1. **Serve Immediately:** Serve the Pork and Pepper Stir-Fry immediately over cooked rice.
2. **Garnish (Optional):** Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and visual appeal.
## Tips for the Perfect Pork and Pepper Stir-Fry
* **Use High Heat:** A hot wok or skillet is essential for a good stir-fry. It helps the ingredients sear quickly and prevents them from steaming.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Wok:** Cook the pork in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the wok. Overcrowding will lower the temperature and cause the pork to steam instead of sear.
* **Prepare Ingredients in Advance:** Stir-fries cook quickly, so it’s important to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
* **Adjust the Sauce to Your Taste:** Feel free to adjust the amount of soy sauce, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes in the sauce to your liking. You can also add other sauces, such as hoisin sauce or black bean sauce, for a different flavor profile.
* **Add Other Vegetables:** Get creative and add other vegetables to your stir-fry, such as broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, or snow peas.
* **Use Fresh Ingredients:** Fresh ingredients will always give you the best flavor. Use fresh garlic, ginger, and vegetables whenever possible.
* **Marinate the Pork:** Don’t skip the marinating step! It helps tenderize the pork and infuse it with flavor.
* **Control the Salt:** Be mindful of the salt content in the soy sauce and oyster sauce. Taste the sauce before adding any additional salt.
## Variations and Substitutions
* **Chicken or Beef:** You can easily substitute chicken or beef for the pork in this recipe. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
* **Tofu:** For a vegetarian option, use firm tofu instead of pork. Press the tofu to remove excess water before marinating.
* **Different Vegetables:** Feel free to use any vegetables you like in this stir-fry. Some good options include broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, snap peas, and bok choy.
* **Spicy:** If you like your stir-fry extra spicy, add more red pepper flakes or a dash of chili oil.
* **Sweet and Sour:** For a sweet and sour flavor, add a tablespoon of rice vinegar or pineapple juice to the sauce.
* **Gluten-Free:** To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
## Serving Suggestions
This Pork and Pepper Stir-Fry is delicious served with:
* Cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine)
* Noodles (lo mein, chow mein, or rice noodles)
* Quinoa
* Steamed vegetables
* Spring rolls
* Egg rolls
## Storage and Reheating
* **Storage:** Store leftover Pork and Pepper Stir-Fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the stir-fry in a skillet over medium heat, or in the microwave. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.
## Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)
* Calories: 400-450
* Protein: 30-35g
* Fat: 20-25g
* Carbohydrates: 20-25g
(Note: Nutritional information may vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.)
## Conclusion
This Pork and Pepper Stir-Fry is a simple yet satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With its tender pork, crisp-tender vegetables, and flavorful sauce, it’s sure to become a family favorite. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your wok, and get ready to enjoy a delicious and healthy stir-fry!
## Recipe Card
**Pork and Pepper Stir-Fry**
**Yields:** 4 servings
**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 15 minutes
**Ingredients:**
**For the Pork Marinade:**
* 1 pound pork tenderloin or pork shoulder, thinly sliced
* 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar (or dry sherry)
* 1 teaspoon sesame oil
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
**For the Stir-Fry:**
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or peanut oil)
* 1 red bell pepper, sliced
* 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
* 1 green bell pepper, sliced
* 1 medium onion, sliced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 inch ginger, grated
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* 2 tablespoons soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
* 1 tablespoon brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon sesame oil
* 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
* Cooked rice, for serving
* Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)
* Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Pork:** Slice the pork thinly. In a bowl, combine the pork with soy sauce, cornstarch, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and white pepper. Marinate for 15-30 minutes.
2. **Prepare the Vegetables:** Slice the peppers and onion. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger.
3. **Prepare the Sauce:** In a bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), brown sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Prepare the cornstarch slurry.
4. **Stir-Fry the Pork and Vegetables:** Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Stir-fry the pork until browned and cooked through. Remove from the wok. Add onions and stir-fry until softened. Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry until fragrant. Add bell peppers and stir-fry until tender-crisp. Return the pork to the wok. Pour sauce over the pork and vegetables and bring to a simmer.
5. **Thicken the Sauce:** Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens.
6. **Serve:** Serve over rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
Enjoy!
**Keywords:** Pork stir fry, pepper stir fry, stir fry recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Asian cuisine, pork recipe, healthy dinner