Chinese Fancy Chop Suey(Authentic)
Authentic Chinese Fancy Chop Suey features tender pork, colorful vegetables, pineapple, and crunchy cashews in a savory sauce, perfect for a flavorful family meal or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. boneless pork chops ⓘ
- 3 to 4 stalks celery ⓘ
- 3 medium carrots ⓘ
- 3 medium onions ⓘ
- 4 green peppers
- 1 (20 oz.) can chunk pineapple
- plain steamed rice ⓘ
- 1 can fancy chop suey vegetables ⓘ
- 6 oz. frozen shrimp ⓘ
- 1 can cashew pieces/halves ⓘ
- peanut oil ⓘ
- 1/8 to 1/4 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cornstarch ⓘ
- sea salt ⓘ
- pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to the ratio of 1/2 cup uncooked rice to 1 cup cooked rice, using 2 to 4 cups of raw short/medium grain rice, and keep warm.
- Prepare all vegetables by cutting celery diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces, carrots diagonally into 1/4-inch slices, onions quartered, and green peppers diagonally into 1-inch pieces.
- Slice the pork chops into thin strips and set aside.
- In a large wok or skillet, heat peanut oil over medium-high heat.
- Add pork strips and cook until browned, then remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, stir-fry celery, carrots, onions, and green peppers until crisp-tender.
- Add the frozen shrimp and cook until pink and opaque.
- Pour in the can of chunk pineapple with liquid, and add the fancy chop suey vegetables, cashew pieces, and pork.
- In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in a few tablespoons of soy sauce or water to create a slurry.
- Add the slurry to the stir-fry and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Season with salt, pepper, and sugar to taste, adjusting soy sauce as desired.
- Serve hot over steamed rice with optional soy sauce on the side.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider marinating the pork strips in soy sauce and a dash of sesame oil for about 30 minutes before cooking. If you don't have cashew pieces, walnuts or sliced almonds can be a great substitute. For a spicier kick, add sliced jalapeños or a drizzle of chili oil during stir-frying. This dish pairs beautifully with other Chinese recipes like Stir-Fry Crab With Pork And Black Bean Sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this chop suey hot over the steamed rice prepared earlier, allowing the flavorful sauce to soak in. For a complete meal, consider pairing it with spring rolls or egg rolls as an appetizer. A side of stir-fried greens or a light cucumber salad can also complement the dish nicely.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave until warmed through or stir-fry in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of water or soy sauce to keep it moist. Avoid reheating multiple times to maintain the quality.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chinese Fancy Chop Suey(Authentic) contains roughly 865 calories, with 27g protein, 159g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (259% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (192% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (82% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2153mg per serving (94% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute the pork with chicken, beef, or tofu for a vegetarian option. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly, as different proteins have varying cooking times.
What if I can't find fancy chop suey vegetables?
If fancy chop suey vegetables are unavailable, you can create a similar mix using vegetables like bean sprouts, water chestnuts, and bamboo shoots. Fresh vegetables like bok choy or snap peas can also work well.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make this dish gluten-free, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce. Ensure that all pre-packaged ingredients, like the fancy chop suey vegetables, do not contain gluten.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).