A Stir Fry pork recipe is one good option if you need a quick and easy meal. Quickly grab some ground pork and slice some green beans. Toss and stir for a few minutes and serve a healthier dinner and in less time.
I was in search of a good wok that I can do my Stir Fry in. Fry or Sauté Pan doesn’t cut it. Or maybe I should rephrase it to Fry or Sauté Pan is not good enough. We have a non-stick electric wok that my brother let us borrow (and we never returned, opps) when we moved in to our new house and the stove and other appliances weren’t scheduled to be delivered for another three days or so.
My husband has this stainless (smallish and doesn’t really look like a wok) wok. I was able to get by and I was patient to wait for the “One” to come along. And it did this Christmas – and it was on sale at 70% off.
I still sat on it for a day or two – maybe sometimes you still have your doubts on the “One” don’t you? Until my husband said, for pete’s sake, go buy it! End of the story! I even bought another one to give my brother (maybe our ‘silent’ replacement for the wok we never returned). I was so happy with it that I know he will be too – he cooks too.
So here we go, one of the many Stir Fry recipes in my much loved wok.
Stir Fry Ingredients & Basics
Stir Fry may be daunting to many but it is actually very easy and not to mention quick and healthy. It results to tender-crisp vegetables that retain more nutrients compared to if they were boiled. Stir frying also requires smaller amount of oil so the fat from oil is lower. If you are interested, read more about Stir Fry from dietitians.
There are 3 components or basic formula to make Stir Fry
Protein
First, choose your protein. Chicken, Beef and Pork are the usual choices. Shrimp is also an option, so is Tofu for those who want a vegan option.
Vegetables
The vegetable options for stir fry are more varied. Basically you can use any vegetable but the more common ones are Cauliflower, Broccoli, Carrots and Cabbage. Snow Peas or Snap Peas, Green Beans, Baby Corn, Mushrooms and Bell Pepper are great too. Some people also use Bok Choy, Yellow Squash and Zucchini.
Stir Fry Sauce
You can actually pre-prep Stir Fry sauce and some people swear by their own sauce concoction (what?). However if you don’t have anything prepared and you just really need a quick meal, most Asian sauces on their own or a combination of two or three does the trick.
Hoisin and Oyster Sauces are favorites (this recipe uses Hoisin Sauce). Soy Sauce, Honey, Vinegar and Sugar are also common. Check out my Stir Fry Sauces Recipes – it is an ultimate cheat sheet of your different sauces.
Plus yes, don’t forget the aromatics. Garlic, Onion or Shallots and Ginger. Or for garnishing to finish it off with a flair – Toasted Sesame Seeds, Green Onions, etc. You will surely have fun doing your mix and match and will never run out of Stir Fry combination ideas.
How to make this Stir Fry Pork Recipe
Pork Stir Fry Ingredients
For this Stir Fry Pork Recipe, our protein is Ground Pork. Then we have Green Beans for the vegetables and Hoisin Sauce. Of course, we also have the standard aromatics – minced garlic, diced onion then salt and pepper to season..
If you want to explore different combinations, check the other recipes under Stir-Fry and/or Wok Chronicles.
Stir Fry Cookware Essentials
Wok – You have to do stir fry in a wok. If you don’t have a wok, make it your next wish list. Check out my suggestions on choosing a wok.
Ground Pork Stir Fry Instructions
Preparing the Ingredients
Clean the green beans by trimming off the tough ends. I have seen many people (and pictures in the web), even chefs who don’t clean the green beans. Why? They are tough! You don’t want to chew on them. I also peel away the fibrous strip along the edge but it is not because I am too particular.
It was what my Gramma and Ma taught me. Plus it usually comes off when you trim off the ends by tearing them off with your fingers rather than cutting with a knife. True, it adds more to prep time but when you start removing the ends, you will always make sure that they are removed all the time. Although you can always buy the ones in prepared packs that are either cleaned and/or cut.
Cut the beans diagonally about an inch. You can actually cut it longer or shorter – 1 inch was just my “goldilocks” or just right.
I made a quick video of this Stir Fry Pork Recipe. Check it out at the bottom of the recipe card.
Stir Fry Cooking Process
Pre-heat up the wok (on high). When it is (smoky) hot, put the green beans and add about a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Stir fry for about 2-3 minutes, enough to give the beans an initial cook or fry.
Lower the heat to low medium and create a space in center by pushing the beans to the sides. (I always do the garlic on low heat – not only to prevent it from easily burning but also to allow it to cook slowly and release the oil. See My Roasted Garlic Magic).
Put another tablespoon of oil and add the garlic. From time to time, move the garlic around to promote even browning. This will a bit slow because of the low heat but this will bring out the garlic oil and thus that garlic aroma, mmm (my kitchen and my entire house smells of garlic now :)).
When the minced garlic start to turn light brown, stir them with the beans. Continue stirring and tossing until the garlic turns browner or about golden brown.
Add the diced onions and adjust heat to medium heat. Stir from time to time to prevent uneven cooking/browning.
When the onions start to go limp or about 2-3 minutes, add the ground pork. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring and breaking the pork apart. My rule for ground pork (or beef) is around 8 minutes under medium heat. You need ground meat to fully cook through for food safety reasons.
After 5 minutes, the pork could still have some pink meat but you can add the 2 tablespoons of Hoisin Sauce and 5 tablespoons of water at this point. It will give time for the sauce to be absorbed my the meat and you will cook them for another 3 minutes or so anyway.
Adjust to medium high heat (optional but I want to finish my stir fry in higher heat) and season with salt and pepper. Continue to toss/stir for another 3-4 minutes to ensure that the ground pork is fully cooked.
Adding the Garnish
Add the green onions and serve with or on top of steaming hot rice. Enjoy.
I garnish with Toasted Sesame Seeds (and I also add a teaspoon of Sesame Oil) but totally optional – I just like that Sesame Oil aroma in my stir-fry.
If you tried this recipe, let us know in the comments or tag us in Instagram or in Pinterest @GlobalSweetandSavoury.
If you are looking for similar Quick and Easy Meals, check these out:
Stir Fry Pork Recipe – Ground Pork and Green Beans
Description
Need a quick and easy meal, get that wok going and whip up a winner in less time with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Ingredients
Instructions
Clean the green beans by removing both ends of the stalk. Cut diagonally about an inch or so.
Heat up the wok (on high). Put the green beans and add about a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Stir fry for about 2-3 minutes, enough to get them an initial cook.
Lower the heat to low medium and create a space in center by pushing the beans to the sides. Put another tablespoon of oil and add the garlic.
From time to time, move the garlic around to promote even browning. When they start to turn light brown, stir them with the beans. Continue until the garlic turns browner or about golden brown.
Add the diced onions and adjust heat to medium. Stir from time to time to prevent uneven cooking/browning.
When the onions start to go limp, add the ground pork. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring and breaking the pork apart.
Add 2 tbsps of Hoisin Sauce and 5 tbsps of water. Adjust to medium heat and season with salt and pepper.
Continue to toss/stir for another 3-4 minutes to ensure that the ground pork is fully cooked.
Add the green onions and serve with or on top of steaming hot rice. Enjoy.
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 294kcal
- Calories from Fat 182kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 20g31%
- Saturated Fat 6g30%
- Cholesterol 45mg15%
- Sodium 181mg8%
- Potassium 293mg9%
- Total Carbohydrate 7g3%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 12g24%
- Vitamin A 7 IU
- Vitamin C 14 mg
- Calcium 3 mg
- Iron 7 mg
- Vitamin E 4 IU
- Vitamin K 25 mcg
- Thiamin 34 mg
- Riboflavin 13 mg
- Niacin 16 mg
- Vitamin B6 14 mg
- Folate 6 mcg
- Vitamin B12 8 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 5 mg
- Phosphorus 14 mg
- Magnesium 7 mmol
- Zinc 10 mcg
- Selenium 22 mg
- Copper 3 mg
- Manganese 7 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption. source: https://nutritiondata.self.com
Notes
- I add 1 teaspoon of Sesame Oil for an additional layer of flavour and aroma. Totally optional.
- I garnish with some Toasted Sesame Seeds as well.