Description
This vibrant Pork Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tender pork chops are cooked with a medley of fresh vegetables and a tangy, slightly sweet sauce made from soy, honey, lime, and a hint of sriracha for some heat. Enhanced by the crunch of broccoli and celery and the sweetness of pineapple chunks, this stir fry delivers a perfect balance of savory and sweet with a hint of spice. Serve it over steamed rice and garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Sauce and Marinade
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ÂĽ cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (can substitute hot sauce)
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ÂĽ teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Protein
- 1 ½ lbs. boneless pork chops
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for dusting pork)
Cooking Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons peanut oil (can substitute olive oil)
- ÂĽ cup dry white wine
Vegetables and Fruit
- 1 yellow onion
- 2 ½ cups broccoli florets
- 2 ribs celery
- ½ cup carrots, julienned
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 (15.25 oz.) can pineapple chunks, drained well (juice reserved)
Optional and Garnishes
- 1-2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter (optional)
- Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Cooked rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, combine chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, minced garlic, sriracha, ground ginger, sesame oil, and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Stir well until the cornstarch is fully dissolved to create a smooth sauce mixture. Set aside.
- Prepare the pork: Cut the boneless pork chops into thin, bite-sized strips. Season with salt and pepper, then lightly dust with 1 tablespoon cornstarch, which will help the pork brown nicely and thicken the sauce during cooking.
- Heat the pan: In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of peanut oil over medium-high heat. Make sure the oil is hot before adding any ingredients to get a good sear on the pork and vegetables.
- Cook the pork: Add the pork strips to the hot oil in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Stir-fry until browned on all sides and just cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. Remove the pork from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the diced onion, broccoli florets, celery ribs sliced diagonally, julienned carrots, and diced red bell pepper. Stir-fry the vegetables for about 4-5 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
- Deglaze: Pour in the ÂĽ cup dry white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom for added flavor. Let the wine reduce slightly for 1-2 minutes.
- Add pineapple and sauce: Stir in the well-drained pineapple chunks and pour in the prepared sauce mixture along with the reserved pineapple juice. Stir continuously as the sauce comes to a simmer and thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine pork and optional peanut butter: Return the cooked pork to the skillet and toss everything together to coat in the sauce. If desired, add 1-2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter for extra creaminess and depth of flavor. Mix well until the peanut butter is melted into the sauce.
- Final adjustments and garnish: Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra sriracha if needed. Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a fresh, nutty finish.
- Serve: Serve the pork stir fry hot over steamed rice for a hearty, delicious meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth to adjust the flavor slightly or make it lighter.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Adjust the sriracha amount to control the spiciness to your taste.
- For extra crunch, add snap peas or water chestnuts.
- Peanut butter is optional but adds a lovely nutty richness; you can omit it for a simpler sauce.
- This recipe can be customized with other proteins like chicken or tofu.