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Pork stir-fry recipe with ginger and spring onions

Ginger pork stir-fry with spring onion is regularly included in my dinner rotation. It is a tasty, quick, and easy dinner recipe.

The ginger pork stir-fry is an extension of the more popular variation, beef stir-fry with ginger and spring onion. The preparation method is similar, but since pork is a staple for most Chinese, it has become popular in many Chinese households. Since my mother does not eat beef, she has cooked this pork dish frequently since I was young.

Here are the steps to stir-fry pork with ginger and spring onion.

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Pork stir-fry with ginger and spring onion (姜葱猪肉). Authentic Cantonese flavor. Best for a quick dinner.

🫕 How to cook ginger pork stir-fry with spring onion

(Ingredients for the ginger pork stir-fry with spring onions)

1. Marinate the pork

I use either pork tenderloin or pork loin because they are tender and quick to cook when thinly sliced. Pork shoulder is another suitable cut of pork, especially if you like it fattier.

  • Cut the pork tenderloin into two-inch length blocks, then slice it thinly by following the grain into thin slices. Cutting pork loin is different from beef, as slicing it across the grain will cause the pork to break into small pieces during stir-frying.
  • Place the thin pork slices in a large bowl.
  • Mix well with the light soy sauce, cornstarch, salt, and oil. Set aside to marinate for at least fifteen minutes.
Ginger Pork stir fry -mariante the pork

(Marinate the pork)

2. Prepare the aromatic ingredients

  • Cut the spring onions into one-inch sections.
  • Slice the ginger thinly with a sharp knife. I pick young ginger root as it is less fibery than the old one.
  • Bash the garlic cloves and then coarsely chop them. There is no need to mince them, as minced garlic can burn quickly.
Ingredients for Ginger Pork stir fry
(The main aromatics- spring onions, ginger and garlic)

Ginger Pork stir fry
(Stir fry the aromatics)

Note: I learned a trick for cutting ginger thinly from my wife. Thin slices of ginger turn brown quickly while sauteing, making them slightly crispy and aromatic. Also, since they are thin, they absorb the gravy quickly during cooking and become exceptionally tasty.

3. Stir-fry the pork tenderloin

A well-seasoned cast-iron wok is ideal for any stir-frying wok. Alternatively, a large skillet or a large frying pan is equally good, especially if it is coated with non-stick material.

  • Add peanut oil to the wok and bring it to medium heat. Other vegetable oils with high smoke points and neutral flavors are also suitable. Olive oil is unsuitable if you want an authentic Chinese taste.
  • Then, saute the coarsely chopped garlic, thinly sliced ginger, and spring onions. Keep stir-frying for about a minute or until aromatic, then remove from the wok. Leave the remaining oil in the wok.
  • Add more oil to the wok if necessary, then heat up and pour in the marinated sliced pork, followed by quick flips and stirs to avoid sticking since the pork is marinated with cornstarch.
  • Continue stirring-frying the pork until it is cooked and both sides turn light brown.
  • Return the sauteed garlic, ginger, and spring onion (green onions) to the wok.

Stir-fry the pork tenderloin
(Stir fry the pork separately)

4. The sauce for the pork

  • Measure all the seasoning ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl, or add them directly into the wok if you are confident with the amount and types of ingredients you need. The seasonings are light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and ground black pepper.
  • Lastly, add a teaspoon of sesame oil and some Chinese rice wine.
  • Now stir-fry over medium-high heat briefly, then add the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
  • Add some red pepper flakes if you like spicy peppers. (optional).
  • Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top to garnish and add some flavor. ( optional)
  • Dish out and serve with cooked rice or noodles.
(Season with oyster sauce, light soy sauce, pepper and wine)

thicken with cornstarch slurry
(Thicken the gravy with cornstarch slurry)

💡Tips and variations for better ginger stir-fry pork 

  • Since the time required to saute the ginger/garlic/spring onions and stir-fry the pork is different, it is better to cook them separately and combine them later. This makes it easier to control the pork’s timing and doneness without worrying that the aromatics will overburn if stir-fried together. It is a step to ensure tender pork.
  • Alternatively, you can explore substituting the light soy sauce with Vietnamese fish sauce for a change. You can also add a small amount of hoisin sauce and rice vinegar. These items are commonly used by the Chinese and are available in grocery stores or Asian markets.
  • For a change, stir-fry some bell pepper, snap peas, snow peas, green beans, baby corn, and onion chunks with the pork.
  • You can use the same recipe for cooking boneless pork chops.

This simple recipe is best for busy weeknights and is suitable for the whole family. All you need to do is marinate the pork in advance, and you can bring it to the dining table within fifteen minutes. It is best to serve it with white rice.

📜 Related recipes

If you like this ginger pork stir-fry recipe, here are some other related recipes on this blog worth trying:

  • Sweet and sour pork is a traditional Chinese cuisine with a universal appeal. It is easy to prepare and kid-friendly, perfect for any busy home cook.
  • Wuxi pork ribs are so tender that the meat almost melts off the bone!
  • Braised pork belly is a well-known dish prepared with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and various aromatic spices cooked over an extended period.
  • Since it is a meat dish, I suggest pairing it with some vegetables, such as Bok Choy stir fry.
pork sti-fry with ginger recipe 3

Pork stir-fry with ginger- quick and easy Cantonese recipe

Yield: 3 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Pork stir-fry with ginger and spring onion is one dish that is regularly included in my dinner rotation, not only because it is tasty but also one of my quick and easy dinner recipes.

The pork recipe is an extension of the more popular variation, beef stir-fry with ginger and spring onion.

Ingredients

Ingredients A

  • 370g pork tenderloin, thinly sliced follow the grain
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp peanut oil

Ingredients B

  • 40g spring onions, cut to 1-inch sections
  • 50g ginger, sliced thinly
  • 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped

Ingredients C

Instructions

  1. Slice the pork thinly by following the grain into thin slices. Marinate with ingredients A for at least fifteen minutes.
  2. Cut the spring onions into one-inch sections.
  3. Slice the ginger thinly with a sharp knife. 
  4. Bash the garlic cloves and then coarsely chop. 
  5. Add some peanut oil to the wok and bring it to medium heat. 
  6. Then, saute the coarsely chopped garlic, followed by the thinly sliced ginger and spring onions until aromatic, then remove from the wok.
  7. Add more oil to the wok and pour in the marinated sliced pork, followed by quick flips and stirs to avoid them from sticking. Continue stir-frying the pork until cooked and both sides start to turn light brown.
  8. Return the sauteed garlic, ginger, and spring onion to the wok.
  9. Season with ingredients C except for the cornstarch. Mix well.
  10. Add the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
  11. Dish out and serve with cooked rice or noodles.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 282Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 1232mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 34g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix on 3/23/2022

Irene Chia

Sunday 2nd of June 2024

I usually do not know what to cook with pork. Now I have this recipe, I shall cook this often Thanks for sharing.

Jo

Friday 26th of January 2024

Just made this with pork shoulder, added some chopped chilli during the cooking process…. Delicious

Elisha

Wednesday 28th of June 2023

Hello, this recipe is fabulous. Is it ok to add some red pepper flakes for heat and maybe another vegetable.

KP Kwan

Sunday 2nd of July 2023

Sure. Adding chili flakes is a great way to give your food a spicy kick.

Wen

Friday 24th of February 2023

Absolutely delicious!! It is going to part of my dinner rotation.

KP Kwan

Thursday 31st of March 2022

Hi, this is KP Kwan. I am happy to see you in this comment area, as you have read through my recipe. I am glad to reply to any questions and comments as soon as possible.

David Bridges

Friday 1st of April 2022

@KP Kwan, thanks for the tip about slicing tenderloin with the grain instead of against it, as I do with beef. I shall remember to do that in future.

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