Szechuan Pork And Peanut Stir-Fry
A vibrant Szechuan Pork and Peanut Stir-Fry combines tender pork strips with crunchy vegetables and spicy red pepper, all coated in a savory sauce infused with garlic and brown sugar. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, it offers bold flavors and satisfying textures that appeal to spice lovers and stir-fry enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean boneless pork loin ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. dry sherry ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. peanut oil ⓘ
- 1 medium onion ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper ⓘ
- 3 carrots ⓘ
- 2/3 cup chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. dark brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 medium green pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
- hot cooked rice ⓘ
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix sherry, cornstarch, soy sauce, and minced garlic; stir in pork strips.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Heat peanut oil in wok or skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in sliced onion and diagonally sliced carrots; stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Remove vegetables from the pan and set aside.
- Stir-fry marinated pork until browned.
- Return the cooked onion and carrots to the pan; stir in crushed red pepper, chicken broth, and brown sugar.
- Scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen browned particles and stir into the liquid.
- Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until pork is thoroughly cooked.
- Increase heat to medium; add green pepper strips.
- Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until pepper is crisp-tender.
- Stir in unsalted peanuts.
- Serve over hot cooked rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the pork overnight instead of just one hour. You can substitute dry sherry with white wine or rice vinegar if needed. To adjust the heat, add more or less crushed red pepper, or try using fresh chili peppers for a different flavor. This dish can also work well with chicken or tofu for a different protein option, similar to other Chinese recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Szechuan Pork and Peanut Stir-Fry over steamed jasmine or brown rice for a hearty meal. It pairs beautifully with a side of stir-fried vegetables or a simple cucumber salad to balance the flavors. For a more substantial meal, consider serving it alongside dishes like Chicken With Eggplant In Garlic Sauce or Orange Glazed Chicken.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the stir-fry in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent drying out. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Szechuan Pork And Peanut Stir-Fry contains roughly 417 calories, with 17g protein, 52g carbohydrates, and 18g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (33% of the Daily Value) and vitamin C (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2450mg per serving (107% 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 for this recipe?
Yes, you can easily substitute the pork with chicken, beef, or even tofu to make it a vegetarian meal. Each protein will bring its own unique flavor, but the cooking times may vary slightly, so be sure to adjust accordingly.
What can I do if I don't have peanut oil?
If you don't have peanut oil, you can use vegetable oil or canola oil as a substitute. These oils have a higher smoke point and will work well for stir-frying. Just note that you may lose some of the distinct nutty flavor that peanut oil provides.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To increase the spiciness of your Szechuan Pork and Peanut Stir-Fry, you can add more crushed red pepper or incorporate fresh chilies into the stir-fry. Another option is to serve it with a spicy dipping sauce or chili oil on the side for those who enjoy an extra kick.
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).