Stir-fried Green Beans with Pork
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ground pork)
(225g, can substitute ground chicken or beef
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons ginger)
(minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons oil)
(divided
- 1 pound green beans)
(450g, chopped to ½-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons garlic)
(minced
- 1/2 red bell pepper)
(diced finely
- 4 red chilies)
(chopped, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
- (a pinch, or to taste1/8 teaspoon salt)
- 2 tablespoons water
Directions
- 1
Combine the ground meat with all the marinade ingredients. Stir until any standing liquid has been absorbed by the meat. Marinate for 15-20 minutes.
- 2
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the chopped green beans. Stir and spread the beans into a single layer. Cook for 30 seconds. Then stir and repeat the spreading step several times until the green beans are slightly charred, wilted, and cooked through. Turn the heat lower if needed to avoid burning. It takes about 5-8 minutes to cook the green beans this way. (To speed up the cooking, add a few drops of water each you stir, to create some steam.) Transfer the cooked green beans to a dish and set aside.
- 3
Now add 1 tablespoon oil to the wok, with the heat turned up to high. Add the ground meat and brown it. Don’t stir too much; give the meat a chance to brown and crisp. Once the meat has browned, reduce the heat to medium.
- 4
Next, add the garlic, bell pepper and chilies. Stir-fry for 1 minute. Add in the cooked green beans, ¼ teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper, a pinch of salt (to taste), and 2 tablespoons water. With the heat all the way up on high, stir-fry for a final 10-15 seconds and serve.
Stir-fried Green Beans with Pork
Similar Recipes
Ratings & Reviews
Be the First to Rate
Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!
About this Recipe
Craving a vibrant, flavorful weeknight meal that’s far from boring? This Stir-fried Green Beans with Pork delivers authentic Chinese flavors with incredible ease, making it a delicious addition to your dinner rotation.
Why This Recipe Works
What makes this green bean stir-fry truly exceptional is the technique: we wok sear the green beans to perfection, achieving a delightful bite and deeper flavor that stands out from typical steamed or boiled versions. This method, combined with ground pork cooked until wonderfully crispy, creates a compelling contrast in every forkful. It's a simple approach that yields restaurant-quality results right in your home kitchen.
What to Expect
You'll be greeted by tender-crisp green beans, infused with savory notes from garlic, ginger, and soy, mingling with rich, savory pieces of ground pork. The bell pepper adds a subtle sweetness and crunch, while optional red chilies introduce a gentle warmth, balancing the dish beautifully. The overall experience is a symphony of textures and umami-rich flavors that are both comforting and exciting, making it incredibly satisfying alongside steamed rice.
Customization & Variations
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to your pantry and preferences. You can easily swap the ground pork for ground chicken or beef for a different protein, or even use crumbled firm tofu for a vegetarian option. If you prefer less heat, simply omit the red chilies. For an extra layer of complexity, a splash of black vinegar at the very end can add a bright, tangy counterpoint.
Serving & Context
This stir-fry is perfect as a main course for a casual family dinner or as part of a larger Chinese-inspired feast. Serve it piping hot over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice to soak up all the flavorful juices. It also makes an excellent component of a meal prep rotation.