Quick Meal: Salt And Pepper Ground Pork

I was really craving something salt-and-pepper-flavored—whether it was squid, pork chops, or shrimp. At first, I thought about deep-frying one of those, but I ended up going in a different direction with ground pork. It turned out just as satisfying, and this quick stir-fry came together beautifully. It’s packed with flavor from simple ingredients that really shine, and it’s the perfect size for a family dinner or meal prep, serving 4-6 people.

This dish pulls inspiration from Chinese and Thai cooking styles, turning ground pork into something special with fresh aromatics like ginger, garlic, and Thai basil. I also tossed in some bull’s horn chili for heat, though it wasn’t as spicy as I expected. Next time, I might switch it up with jalapeños if I’m feeling bolder.

Yield: 4

Salt And Pepper Ground Pork

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A quick and aromatic ground pork stir-fry seasoned simply with salt and pepper.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 whole bulb garlic, diced
• 1.5 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
• 2 scallions, sliced
• 1 cup Thai basil leaves
• 1 bull’s horn chili or 2 jalapeños, seeded and sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter or coconut oil
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare all ingredients before cooking – this dish moves quickly.
2. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until very hot.
3. Add cooking fat to the hot wok.
4. Add ground pork and cook until just done.
5. Remove pork to a bowl and set aside.
6. In the same wok, cook diced onions until translucent.
7. Add garlic, ginger, and chili.
8. Stir-fry aromatics until fragrant.
9. Return cooked pork to the wok.
10. Add scallions and Thai basil.
11. Season generously with salt and pepper.
12. Stir-fry everything together until well combined.
13. Serve hot over steamed rice.

Notes

The key to success with this dish is having all ingredients prepped before you start cooking. The high heat and quick cooking time mean you won’t have time to prep as you go. Make sure your wok or skillet is very hot before adding ingredients to achieve proper searing and prevent the meat from stewing.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. For variations, try adding different vegetables like bell peppers or carrots, or incorporate soy sauce or fish sauce for additional depth of flavor. This dish is also excellent served in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 375Total Fat: 27gSodium: 450mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2.5gSugar: 2gProtein: 22g