How To Cook The Best Pork Stir Fry Recipe The Chef's Choice

Food is a great window that opens us to see one's culture. Food opens us to seeing, understanding, and experiencing one's history and aspirations. Food preparation techniques and recipes always reflect the population's attitude, preference, and innovativeness.      

Traditionally, Filipino recipes are prepared in manners such as only from grill, stew, and roast. Such styles are common among Austronesian recipes and food cultures. However, developments and transborder interactions have brought in numerous ideas. On that note, this segment opens us to a relatively new preparation technique; how to make pork stir-fry. 

It is not typical for Filipino to stir-fry pounds of meat, neither the approach of stir-frying. But as the practices and the norms change, so thus the manner of preparation, too. 

So Filipino learned to adapt to various new recipes and used the stir-frying technique to save their time in the kitchen but having all the tasty flavors intact in a dish.

So in this article, we will help you learn how to prepare pork stir-fry that will surely brighten up your family's mealtime.

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What is Pork Stir Fry

Chao or stir-frying was a cooking technique invented by the Chinese around Hans Dynasty using a wok-a traditional round-bottom pan. This pan is used in cooking meat, vegetables, or meat mixed with vegetables in rapid succession using high heat and oil. However, it was not until in the middle of the 1940s when Y.R Chao coined the term "stir-fry" in the book Buwei Yang Chao's How to Cook and Eat in Chinese (1945), to elaborate the chǎo technique.

This account opens us to the assumption that it was in China this idea of pork stir-fry came from. This invention of the cooking method has dramatically influenced the preparation techniques and recipes all over the world. As a result, it has become the conventional preparation technique of many recipes beyond Chinese borders.

Bao is the Chinese term for sauteing and so different from the chǎo (stir-fry) technique, which we will use for this pork cuisine. As seen in the name, we will cook the pork and its other ingredients by frequently tossing the food rapidly in the wok to make everything evenly. The leading equipment needed shall be a skillet or a wok.

We choose new and thin slices of pork loin to stir-fry pork because lean cuts work well in stir-frying whether the meat is from the belly or shoulder. With it, we will use brown sugar, snow peas, and soy sauce. 

Together with these, we will also use white onion as it gives a sweet and weak tangy taste compared to the red one that we often use.

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What is Our Pork Stir Fry Marinade Sauce Made of

It is not a new fact that, in recipes, the sauce builds the factory of flavors. It opens us to the fact that how you make your sauce determines the overall outcome of recipes. With each ingredient's right amount, all the elements will not overpower one another as we put them together in the wok.

We will use soy sauce, wine (optional), sugar, cornstarch, and other aromatics for pork stir-fry marinade. Combining these items with the meat and marinating them for a few minutes, or overnight we get all the flavors to permeate the meat.

It will now create a savory pork stir-fry sauce when it goes to the wok. It makes for a shorter time while you enjoy every bit of that smack hitting your palate.

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Pork Stir Fry Recipes

Here in Eat Like Pinoy, we love giving variations of a particular dish where you can choose from basic to a more sophisticated variant. We have gathered every version to adapt to our readers' needs and lifestyles. So below are the lists of this dish's adaptation from around the world to meet your specific demands.

Spicy Version

Spicy stir-fry is one of the recipes that are easy to do and ideal for chili lovers. If you are particular in flavors such as spicy, then this will be a hit for you. It only takes less than an hour to prepare, which would be excellent for your busy schedules. This spicy pork stir-fry is bold in flavors, colors, and it is savory and jammy. What more could you ask for a meal?

To make this, you need thin strips of pork loin, soy sauce, brown sugar, Gochujang (optional), cayenne, or green chilies, and your preferred veggies. The slow cooker will be your friend for this cuisine. Use the slow cooker to make it so as not to overcook the meat. Serve it with hot steaming rice for that extra oomph!

Garlic Recipe

If you are always in a hurry, this is one of the recipes that will meet your time's demands. For example, you have a 1 pm to 9 pm job; garlic pork stir-fry is a one-wok wonder to meet the needs for a fast lunch or dinner. Garlic will give a sweet, mild, and spicy taste. Its flavor is intense but easy to control.

On the plus side, garlic is useful for lowering high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure; it is also great for fighting bacterial infection. So this much is a good meal both for your health and taste buds.

Crispy Pork Recipe

This tasty meal comes with layers of creamy, flavorful, and crunchy bits of everything. In crispy pork stir-fry, the ideal option of meat cut is the pork belly. It is a cheaper cut but makes a lump of delicious tasting meat. If you are the economical type of individual, this is one of the recipes that are easy to do and is suited to you. 

It isn't new that this is one of the recipes wherein you won't have to use a large amount of butter because the belly parts will provide you natural oil. The natural oil from animal fats is a potential agent for enhancing all the flavors.

Pineapple Recipe

This version, which flecked with the aromatic freshness of pineapple, vibrant colors of bell peppers, plus the veggies' crunchiness, is divine for a weeknight quick-fix dinner. It is a simple way to bring savory cuisine to the table with pineapple pork stir-fry like never before. If you happen to be an avid fan of pineapples, this is one of the recipes that are easy to do and will make you ecstatic. 

As it is common knowledge that pineapple is a meat tenderizer, it acts as a flavor in this variant. As pineapple is known to have an enzyme called bromelain that breaks down protein, it is perfect at tenderizing meat. So there is your tropical zest ala Mexican vibe to relish.

Smoky Pork Recipe

No, don't be intimidated by the name. You will not smoke anything here. It isn't new that it is as fast as simple as the rest of the variants listed here that you can trade for that little white box of Asian take-outs. Smoke pork is one of the recipes that yield high profits for Asian food businesses.

The only smoke that you'll be needing here is the smoked paprika, dark sesame oil to give this variant depths in flavor and taste. Together with your skillet, ginger, kosher salt, and low-sodium soy sauce, this cuisine will be a hit.

Orange Recipe

If you are an orange lover, then this is one of the recipes that will suit you. If you want a little adventure on a Friday night with your leftover pork chop, then be sure to try this cuisine. No, you won't be needing food coloring. The reason why it's orange pork stir-fry is that you need the juice and the zest of the real orange. Yes, we're not kidding. It's possible.

It will add vibrant colors to this already impressive mishmash of meat and veggies and a whole new level of citrusy tang.

Eggplant Recipe

In the Philippines, it isn't new that eggplant with crispy bits of pork usually goes with fermented shrimp (bagoong), and that is still an unbeatable combo until now. But given that fermented shrimp is smelly and fishy (malansa) for some, this could be intolerable. It is one of the recipes for eggplant lovers.

To make this eggplant pork stir-fry possibly bearable for everyone, we can use chili garlic instead. Not only will this be flavorful, but the smell itself will leave you drooling for more.

Pepper Pork Recipe

If you are a minimal type of person, this is one of the easy recipes. Perhaps it is not new that this is the most straightforward version among the list nevertheless tastes just as flavorful and delectable as the rest of its variants. If you want the outcome, you can marinate the meat with soy sauce, sugar, ginger, white pepper, and other seasonings beforehand.

It is one of the recipes that requires a lesser stressful kitchen time, and the meat will become juicy for absorbing all those liquid flavors. Just make sure you pick a low sodium soy sauce so you won't have a problem adjusting with your salt when mixing everything in a skillet.

Lemongrass Recipe

The sound might be intriguing to you, but yes, this is a version with lemongrass in it. In this dish's adaptation, we will use the white stalk part of the lemongrass, chop it, and toss it into the skillet together with the ginger, minced pork, and other spices ingredients. It is not a new fact that this is one of the most exciting recipes you will encounter.

Your lemongrass pork stir-fry will be citrusy but light enough not to overpower the other flavor on the mix. You do not worry about the lemon's bitterness because you will have none of it; instead, you'll get a sharp and tangy punch.

Mongolian Pork Recipe

If you want to level up the old classic Mongolian beef and try Mongolian pork stir-fry, instead of flank steak, use pork loin to twist. Throw some vegetables and aromatics, and your family dinner will never be the same. Mongolian pork is one of the delicious Asian recipes you'll get to taste.

A scoop of this over hot steaming rice or on top of your favorite noodles will probably be the ultimate treatment over a weekend lunch or dinner. 

Broccoli Pork Recipe

If you like vegetables on your meat, then this is one of the recipes for you! Broccoli pork stir-fry is probably a spin-off of Beef broccoli. But unlike beef broccoli, this cuisine is with a different preparation technique, thus the stir-frying. It's time to bring greens to the table. With this mix, we doubt your kids will say no to the vegetables!

It is one of the most sophisticated recipes since you can add zest and crunchiness by tossing in crushed cashew or walnuts and dashing it with freshly squeezed lemon juice. Add some colors too if you must by throwing in some green and red bell peppers.

Zucchini Pork Recipe

Zucchini is one of the recipes where you can see Filipino and Mesoamerican infusion. If you are familiar with zucchini, you know how it can make a delightful and healthy chomp for everybody. Zucchini itself housed some fantastic flavors and texture. 

This veggie has a bland taste and mushy when overcooked, and it gives a sweet taste when it's cooked properly. It's from a squash family, so it tastes like it.

It will surely make for a healthy meal because it contains lots of vitamins and minerals, plus it is high in antioxidants, and it is an excellent help when it comes to your digestion. So when you plan your next meal, you might want to give your family a taste of zucchini pork stir-fry!

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe

If you are BIG on layering flavors, then this is one of the recipes you might consider. All you need is ginger, chunks, and fresh pineapple juice to reach that aromatic, zesty tang and contrasting tastes. 

The fruity flavor combined with the whole mix's saltiness and sweetness will make you keep coming back for more. There's nothing so refreshing than sweet and sour pork stir-fry on a hot, humid afternoon lunch over your front yard. Slurp it up with fresh lemonade, and you're all set.

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Troubleshooting

With all these variants you have learned, mishaps will likely come up, especially on your first try. So to avoid these kitchen nightmares, we listed down some of the easy-to-do remedies to help salvage your food along the way.

• Salty sauce - the cause might be you put in more than oyster or soy sauce that is allowed. What you can do to remedy this is to add water or drop some raw potatoes.

• Dry meat - is dry because it is overcooked. If this happens, add the meat in broth/stock for 5 mins on a low fire, pat it dry and toss it back to the mix again.

• Overcooked/undercooked veggies - again, the right amount of time will solve or prevent this from happening. 

• The sauce is too sweet - not everyone is fond of too sweet cuisines. If you encounter this mishap in your sauce, add lemon juice or lime, apple cider vinegar will also do the trick. Shy away from balsamic because of its inherent sweetness, which may exacerbate the sweetness of the sauce. 

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Trivia: Easy Recipes for your Leftover Pork Stir Fry

You made a little bit too much pork stir-fry, and now you are problematic about what to do with the leftover. This fact opens us to the fact that there are quite a lot of ways and recipes to use your leftover pork stir-fry and turn it into a whole new dish that your family will love. 

These recipes include using the leftover topping to a homey pasta if you need to pull out a quick fix for a weekend dinner. Or if you have enough time to sweat in the kitchen, you can turn this dish into a pork stew. 

There are many ways, and do not be afraid to customize, and when you do, don't forget to pat yourself on the back.

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Chef's Advice: Tips on Choosing Best Cut of Pork Stir Fry

As you can see, excellent tips are your ultimate weapons to further the notch in succeeding in every cuisine you make. Here in Eat Like Pinoy, we like to spoil you with the excellent tips there are.

The first tip on our list is the ideal pork cut for stir-fry you can pick on the market. We suggest you choose the following:

• Tenderloin - pork tenderloin is a lean cut. Pork tenderloin is perfect for stir-frying as it will cook fast enough in high heat with enough oil.

• Boneless Pork Chops - boneless pork chops are very lean cut, so be very careful not to overdo the cooking, or it will dry out.

• Pork Belly - the perfect combination of meat and fat will give the cuisine a boost in flavors and savory.

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Dishes Best served With Pork Stir-Fry

You can eat pork stir-fry as it is, but it will only take you somewhere. Without something to pair, it will leave you "bitin" (not having enough). So here is the list that opens us to the probabilities of what you can eat along with your stir-fry.

• Fried Rice - these recipes are one of the known comfort foods in the Philippines. They fry/saute the leftover rice until it becomes a little bit crunchy to remake it and eat it for breakfast together with some cuisine. Pork stir fry would be the jarring fit with rice. It will kick you and wake you up completely.

• Vegetable Salad - as you may have observed, some recipes lack in the vegetable department, so to compensate for this, pair it up with the vegetable salad's freshness.

• Lumpiang Shanghai - the delightful crunch you get in shanghai paired with the smooth, chewy stir-fried pork are having the infusion of two different worlds.

• Pork Dumplings - the layers of flavors of pork dumplings and pork stir -fry will make you lick your fingers and come back for more.

• Pancit Lomi - noodles are your ultimate allies for a quick go-to meal, and to pair it up with your stir fry is a wonderful treat you can ever give to yourself without feeling too guilty about the carbs.

• Pancit Guisado - since noodles are superb partners with meat, pancit guisado is one of the noodles that's ideally paired with pork stir fry since the two balance each others' tastes. 

• Chicken Teriyaki - For meat lovers, the combination of pork and chicken will always brighten up their day. The taste of chicken teriyaki is ideal to be paired with the taste of pork stir fry. 

• Chicken Adobo - the combination of pork stir fry and chicken adobo is always seen in Fiestas in the county. The presence of chicken adobo and pork is seen as gastronomically fulfilling for the carnivorous people. Besides, chicken adobo is loved by almost all people. Who would say no to chicken, anyway?  

• Cakes - It is not a new fact that cakes are a great dessert. After a sumptuous meal, it can always cap off the dinner in a sweet fashion. 

• Apple pie - the sweet and classy taste of apple pie makes it ideal to be on the table together with pork stir fry as a dessert. Apple pie will never fail to give you that excellent taste, at the same time, and IG-worthy dessert.

• Cookies - If you want to persuade kids to eat, you may consider putting the cookies alongside pork stir fry on the table. Cookies never fail to attract children's attention. Everyone enjoys cookies' sweetness. 

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Conclusion

We hope we helped you with how to make pork stir fry the simplest way possible. This recipe is provided both for the beginners and those in the kitchen for some time now. 

With all the variants we have listed here, we hope to make your creative side come out to inspire you to make your version of this cuisine. So that's how to make a pork stir fry. 

We love hearing from you, so feel free to give us your feedback about this dish. Bella ciao!

For more delicious recipe, visit Eat Like Pinoy!

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