Stir-Fried Ground Pork with Vegetables Recipe

This stir-fried ground pork with vegetables is one of those quick dinners that comes together fast but still feels complete.

It’s the kind of meal I make on busy evenings when I want something savory, warm, and balanced without pulling out a long list of ingredients.

Everything cooks in one pan, and the flavors build quickly from garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.

Behind the Recipe

I started making versions of this dish when I needed a reliable weeknight option that worked just as well with rice as it did on its own. Ground pork cooks quickly and absorbs flavor easily, making it perfect for fast stir-fries. Over time, this simple combination became a repeat recipe because it’s flexible and consistently satisfying.

Recipe Origin or Trivia

Stir-frying is a cooking technique that uses high heat and quick movement to cook food rapidly while preserving texture. Ground meats are often used in home-style stir-fries because they cook evenly and pair well with crisp vegetables and simple sauces.

Why I Love This Recipe (And You Will Too)

• Quick cooking: Ready in under 30 minutes
• One-pan meal: Minimal cleanup
• Bold flavors: Garlic, ginger, and soy sauce shine
• Versatile: Easy to swap vegetables
• Budget-friendly: Uses simple ingredients
• Balanced texture: Juicy pork with crisp vegetables
• Weeknight-friendly: No complicated steps

Chef’s Pro Tips for Perfect Results

• Use high heat: Helps the pork brown instead of steaming
• Break pork well: Smaller pieces cook more evenly
• Prep first: Stir-frying moves fast once you start
• Add aromatics briefly: Garlic and ginger burn quickly
• Keep vegetables crisp: Don’t overcook

Ingredients in This Recipe

1. Ground pork (1 lb): Juicy and flavorful base
2. Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Sharp, savory aroma
3. Fresh ginger (1 inch, grated): Adds warmth and brightness
4. Soy sauce (1 tbsp): Salty, umami backbone
5. Sesame oil (1 tsp): Nutty depth
6. Bell peppers and carrots (1 cup): Color and crunch
7. Vegetable oil (1 tbsp): High-heat cooking fat
8. Green onion: Fresh garnish and mild bite

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

1. Wok or large skillet: Allows quick, even cooking
2. Spatula or wooden spoon: For breaking up pork and stirring
3. Knife and cutting board: For vegetable prep

Instructions for Making This Recipe

1. Heat oil: Warm vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat
2. Cook pork: Add ground pork, breaking it apart, until browned
3. Add aromatics: Stir in garlic and ginger briefly until fragrant
4. Season: Add soy sauce and sesame oil, mixing well
5. Add vegetables: Stir-fry peppers and carrots until crisp-tender
6. Finish: Adjust seasoning and cook briefly to combine
7. Serve: Transfer to a bowl and garnish with green onion

Ingredient Substitutions

• Ground pork: Ground chicken or turkey
• Soy sauce: Tamari or coconut aminos
• Bell peppers and carrots: Broccoli, snap peas, or zucchini
• Sesame oil: Optional, but recommended for flavor

Ingredient Spotlight

• Ground Pork: Absorbs sauce quickly and stays juicy
• Ginger: Brings freshness that balances the richness

Stir-Fried Ground Pork with Vegetables

This stir-fry features ground pork cooked with garlic, ginger, soy, and sesame oil, resulting in a savory, aromatic dish. The pork is broken apart in a hot pan, then combined with crunchy vegetables, creating a textured, flavorful meal with a glossy sauce coating the ingredients.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground pork preferably lean
• 3 cloves garlic cloves minced
• 1 inch fresh ginger grated
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 cup bell peppers and carrots thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 green onion green onion chopped for garnish

Equipment

• Wok or large skillet
• Spatula or wooden spoon

Method

 

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and just starting to smoke. Add the ground pork, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. The pork should be breaking apart and develop a light caramelization.
2. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan. Stir quickly to fragrant, about 15-20 seconds, until the mixture smells aromatic and starts to bubble slightly.
3. Pour in the soy sauce and sesame oil, stirring thoroughly to coat all the pork and aromatics. Let this cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken.
4. Add the sliced bell peppers and carrots to the pan. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are crisp-tender and still vibrant in color. You should hear a gentle sizzle as they hit the hot oil.
5. Adjust seasoning if needed, then continue sautéing for another minute to ensure everything is heated through and coated with the sauce. The mixture should look glossy and cohesive, with vegetables retaining some crunch.
6. Transfer the stir-fried pork and vegetables to a serving bowl, sprinkle with chopped green onion for a fresh, colorful finish. Serve hot, letting the aroma invite everyone to dig in.

Notes

Feel free to customize with other vegetables like broccoli or snap peas. Serve over steamed rice for a complete meal.

Texture & Flavor Secrets

• Caramelized pork: Comes from high heat and patience
• Glossy sauce: Light coating that clings without being heavy
• Crunchy vegetables: Added late to retain bite

What to Avoid

• Low heat: Leads to watery pork
• Overcooking vegetables: Loses color and crunch
• Too much sauce: Overpowers the pork

Nutrition Facts (Approximate, per serving)

• Calories: 380
• Protein: 26 g
• Fat: 28 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sodium: 620 mg

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Make ahead: Cook and refrigerate up to 3 days
• Storage: Airtight container in the fridge
• Reheating: Reheat quickly over medium heat

How to Serve This Dish

• Over rice: White or brown
• With noodles: Toss directly with cooked noodles
• Low-carb option: Serve in lettuce cups

Creative Leftover Transformations

• Fried rice: Chop and stir into rice
• Wrap filling: Use in tortillas or wraps
• Egg scramble: Mix into scrambled eggs

Variations to Try

• Spicy: Add chili flakes or chili oil
• Sweet-savory: Add a touch of honey
• Extra vegetables: Add mushrooms or cabbage
• Garlic-forward: Increase garlic slightly
• Saucy version: Add a splash of broth

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen vegetables? Yes, thaw and drain first
2. Is this dish spicy? No, but easy to make spicy
3. Can I make it gluten-free? Use tamari
4. Does it reheat well? Yes, very well
5. Can I add noodles directly? Yes, cooked noodles work well
6. What oil works best? Neutral oils with high smoke point
7. Can I meal prep this? Absolutely
8. Why is my pork watery? Heat was too low
9. Can I double the recipe? Yes, cook in batches
10. Is this kid-friendly? Yes, mild flavors

Anjali Arora

Hi, I’m Anjali Arora, the quietly curious mind behind Landscape Insight. I’ve always been most comfortable in my own space. I’m not great at small talk (it still makes me a little uneasy), and I’ve never been the loudest person in the room. What I have always carried with me, though, are two steady loves that shape how I move through the world: animals and food.