Skip the takeout and make this Better Than Takeout Pork Stir Fry instead! Ground pork, fresh vegetables, and a sweet and spicy homemade sauce come together in just 30 minutes.
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
There are some dinners that instantly get added to the regular rotation, and this is definitely one of them. It comes together in one skillet, uses simple ingredients, and has that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and just enough heat to keep you coming back for another bite. My whole family absolutely loves this.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Clean out the refrigerator and toss in whatever vegetables you have on hand. The homemade sauce is what really brings everything together, coating every bite with bold flavor that’s perfect over a bowl of fluffy rice.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Better Than Takeout. Fresh ingredients and a homemade sauce make this even more delicious than ordering out.
- Ready In 30 Minutes. A quick dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- One Pan Meal. Less cleanup means more time to enjoy dinner.
- Easy To Customize. Swap in your favorite vegetables or adjust the spice level to your liking.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this delicious recipe. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements on the recipe card below.
- Ground Pork – Rich, flavorful, and cooks quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
- Olive Oil – Helps brown the pork and sauté the vegetables.
- Yellow Onion – Adds sweetness and creates a flavorful base.
- Red Bell Pepper – Brings sweetness, color, and a little crunch.
- Zucchini – A great way to add vegetables while soaking up all of that delicious sauce.
- Orange Juice – Gives the sauce a fresh citrus flavor while balancing the heat.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce – Adds savory umami flavor without making the dish overly salty.
- Sesame Oil – Just a small amount adds that classic stir fry flavor.
- Brown Sugar – Balances the soy sauce and spice with a touch of sweetness.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic gives this dish incredible flavor.
- Fresh Ginger Or Ginger Paste – Adds warmth and a fresh, slightly spicy flavor.
- Sriracha – Gives the sauce its signature kick. Add more or less depending on your spice preference.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – Adds another layer of heat.
- Cornstarch – Thickens the sauce until it’s glossy and coats every bite.
- Green Onions – Optional, but perfect for adding freshness right before serving.
- Sesame Seeds – Optional garnish for a little crunch.
How To Make It
Heres how to make this delicius dinner. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, sriracha, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Transfer the cooked pork to a plate and carefully drain any excess grease if needed.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the onion, bell pepper, and zucchini. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but still have a slight crunch. Lightly season with salt and pepper and return the cooked pork to the skillet.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the pork and vegetables. Stir continuously for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and evenly coats everything. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice, white rice, brown rice, or your favorite noodles.
Pro Tips
- Prep all of your vegetables before you start cooking since stir fries come together quickly.
- Freshly grated ginger gives the best flavor, but ginger paste works great for convenience.
- Don’t overcook the vegetables—you want them to stay slightly crisp.
- Like extra sauce? Double the sauce ingredients and save the extra for serving over rice.
- A cast iron skillet or wok works beautifully for getting a nice sear on the pork
Variations
- Swap the ground pork for ground chicken, turkey, or beef.
- Add broccoli, snap peas, mushrooms, carrots, or baby corn.
- Stir cooked ramen noodles directly into the skillet.
- Add chopped water chestnuts for extra crunch.
- Make it sweeter with a drizzle of honey or spicier with extra sriracha.
What To Serve With It
This stir fry is delicious served over fluffy rice, or brown rice to soak up every bit of the sweet and spicy sauce. If you’re feeding a crowd, pair it with egg rolls, crab rangoon, or steamed dumplings for an easy takeout inspired meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or warm everything in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. This recipe also freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Other Pork Recipes
I've rounded up all my delicious Pork Recipes so you can find them easily in one place! My Crockpot Pork Tenderloin is a must try if you love a set it & forget it meal.
Better Than Takeout Pork Stir Fry Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tbs Olive Oil
- 1 Pound Ground Pork
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion, diced into 1" pieces
- 1 Medium Red Bell Pepper, diced into 1" pieces
- 1 Large Zucchini, cut into 1" rounds & cut in half
- 3 Tbs Parsley or Green Onion, for garnish (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Sesame Seeds, for garnish (optional)
- Salt & Pepper to taste
For The Sauce
- ½ Cup Orange Juice
- ¼ Cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbs Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbs Ginger Paste
- 2 Tbs Brown Sugar
- 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Tbs Sriracha
- ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Tbs Cornstarch
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, sriracha, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Transfer the cooked pork to a plate and carefully drain any excess grease if needed.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the onion, bell pepper, and zucchini. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but still have a slight crunch. Lightly season with salt and pepper.
- Return the cooked pork to the skillet. Pour the prepared sauce over the pork and vegetables. Stir continuously for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and evenly coats everything.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice, white rice, brown rice, or your favorite noodles.
Other Easy Dinner Recipes
If you like super easy to make dinner recipes like this one, you have to try this Crockpot Beef And Noodles, White Chicken Enchiladas & Viral Dirty Spaghetti.
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