Pioneer Woman Inspired Easy Ground Pork Stir Fry Recipes

Weeknights can be a whirlwind, and finding time to put a delicious and satisfying meal on the table can feel like a challenge. If you’re searching for a recipe that’s both quick and packed with flavor, look no further than this easy ground pork stir fry. Ground pork is a fantastic, budget-friendly protein that cooks in minutes, making it perfect for those busy evenings. Stir-fries are a classic way to utilize ground pork, and this recipe takes simplicity and taste to a whole new level. Think of this as your go-to, Pioneer Woman-inspired dish – hearty, wholesome, and incredibly easy to whip up, even when time is short. This ground pork stir fry is not only fast and flavorful but also incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it with your favorite vegetables and pantry staples.

Why This Recipe is a Weeknight Winner

This ground pork stir fry recipe isn’t just another meal; it’s a weeknight game changer. It’s designed to be stress-free, delicious, and loved by the whole family. Here’s why it’s about to become your new favorite:

Quick and Easy – Dinner in Under 30 Minutes

Time is precious, especially on weeknights. This recipe understands that and delivers big flavor in just about 25 minutes from start to finish. Ground pork cooks incredibly quickly, and the stir-fry method ensures that everything comes together in a flash. From prepping your veggies to serving a steaming bowl of stir fry over rice, you’ll be amazed at how fast this meal comes together.

Simple, No-Fuss Ingredients

Forget complicated grocery lists and hard-to-find items. This recipe relies on simple, wholesome ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry and refrigerator. Ground pork, your favorite vegetables, and a few pantry staples for the flavorful sauce are all you need. No fancy culinary skills required – just straightforward, delicious cooking.

Versatile and Completely Customizable

One of the best things about a stir fry is its incredible versatility, and this ground pork version is no exception. Not a fan of mushrooms? Swap them out for broccoli or bell peppers. Want to add more greens? Spinach, bok choy, or kale all work beautifully. You can easily adapt this recipe to suit your family’s preferences and what you have on hand. The sauce is also adaptable – adjust the spice level or swap soy sauce for coconut aminos for dietary needs.

Family-Friendly Flavor

Getting everyone to agree on dinner can sometimes be a challenge, but this ground pork stir fry is a crowd-pleaser. The savory flavors of the pork combined with the slightly sweet and tangy stir fry sauce are universally appealing. Plus, you can control the spice level to make it kid-friendly or add a little extra heat for those who like a kick. It’s a meal that’s sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

Budget-Friendly Meal

Feeding a family without breaking the bank is always a priority. Ground pork is often a more affordable protein option, making this stir fry a budget-conscious choice for weeknight dinners. Combined with inexpensive vegetables and pantry staples, you can create a delicious and filling meal that’s kind to your wallet.

Veggie-Packed Ginger Ground Pork Stir-Fry | Frugal Nutrition #easy #dinner

Ground Pork: The Unsung Hero of Weeknight Dinners

Ground pork is a truly underrated ingredient that deserves a regular spot in your meal rotation, especially for quick and easy weeknight dinners. Here’s why ground pork is a fantastic choice:

Quick Cooking Protein

As mentioned before, ground pork cooks incredibly fast. This is a lifesaver on busy weeknights when you need to get dinner on the table in a hurry. Unlike larger cuts of meat that require longer cooking times, ground pork browns and cooks through in just minutes, making it perfect for stir-fries and other quick dishes.

Affordable and Accessible

Ground pork is often more economical than other ground meats like beef or turkey, making it a budget-friendly protein option. It’s also widely available in most grocery stores, so you can easily find it whenever you need a quick and affordable meal solution.

Incredibly Versatile Flavor

Ground pork has a mild yet savory flavor that lends itself well to a wide variety of cuisines and dishes. It’s fantastic in stir-fries, meatballs, tacos, soups, and so much more. Its versatility allows you to explore different flavor profiles and create countless delicious meals.

Easy to Handle and Prepare

Ground pork is incredibly easy to work with. There’s no need for trimming or special preparation – simply open the package and it’s ready to cook. It crumbles easily and cooks evenly, making it a user-friendly protein for even novice cooks.

Ground Pork Around the World

Ground pork is a staple in many cuisines around the world, particularly in Asian cooking. It’s commonly used in Japanese and Vietnamese dishes, where its flavor and texture shine in stir-fries, noodle dishes, and flavorful sauces. This recipe draws inspiration from these global flavors, bringing a taste of international cuisine to your weeknight table with minimal effort.

Finished stir fry in skillet with cooked vegetables and ground pork, topped with sesame seeds and green onions.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Your Ground Pork Stir Fry

Keeping it simple is key to this weeknight wonder. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

Ingredients displayed on white background – ground pork, chopped greens, uncooked brown rice, cutting board with half an onion, two carrots, a green onion, some crimini mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms, two cloves of garlic, a knob of ginger,, plus a small mug with vinegar and a small mug with soy sauce, and a small spoon with red pepper flakes.

• Ground Pork: The star of the show! About ½ to ¾ pound (8-12 ounces) is perfect for a family meal.
• Vegetables: Get creative with your favorites! This recipe calls for:
  • Mushrooms: 1 ½ cups, sliced (cremini, shiitake, or any kind you like)
  • Onion: ½ medium, sliced or diced
  • Carrots: 1 cup, julienned, matchsticks, or grated
  • Leafy Greens: 4 cups, chopped (spinach, bok choy, kale, chard, etc.)
  • Green Onions: For garnish, sliced
• Flavor Boosters:
  • Ginger: 3 Tablespoons, grated fresh ginger
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced or grated
• Stir Fry Sauce:
  • Tamari or Soy Sauce: 3 Tablespoons, divided (tamari for gluten-free)
  • Rice Vinegar: ½ Tablespoon (white vinegar or apple cider vinegar can substitute)
  • Red Pepper Flakes or Cayenne Powder: ¼ – ½ teaspoon (adjust to your spice preference)
• For Serving:
  • Brown or White Rice: 1 cup uncooked rice + water for cooking
  • Sesame Seeds: For garnish

Cutting board with prepped vegetables, shredded carrots, diced onion, minced ginger, sliced mushrooms, crushed garlic, and sliced green onion.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Ground Pork Stir Fry

Let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps for a delicious and easy ground pork stir fry:

1. Get the Rice Going: Start by cooking your rice according to package directions. Brown rice will take longer than white rice, so factor that into your timing. Using a rice cooker makes this step completely hands-off.

2. Brown the Ground Pork: Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the ground pork and spread it in a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed for 3-5 minutes until the bottom is nicely browned and slightly crispy. This browning step is crucial for developing deep flavor – don’t skip it!

Ground pork browning in a pan

3. Flip and Finish Cooking the Pork: Flip the pork and cook for another 2-3 minutes until browned on the other side and cooked through. Add 1 tablespoon of tamari or soy sauce and break the pork into crumbles, stirring to coat it evenly in the sauce. Remove the pork from the pan and set aside.

Ground pork browning in a pan, with the cooked side up.

4. Sauté the Vegetables: Reduce the heat to medium-high. If there’s a lot of fat rendered from the pork, drain off most of it, leaving about a tablespoon in the pan. (If using leaner meat, you may need to add a bit of butter or coconut oil). Add the onions and mushrooms and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the mushrooms are softened and lightly browned.

5. Add Carrots and Aromatics: Add the carrots and cook for another 5 minutes, until slightly softened. Then, add the grated ginger and minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute more, until fragrant.

6. Stir in Greens and Sauce: Add the leafy greens, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes (or cayenne), and another tablespoon of tamari or soy sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, until the greens are wilted and tender.

7. Combine and Serve: Return the cooked ground pork to the pan and mix everything together. Taste and add the remaining tablespoon of tamari/soy sauce if needed, adjusting seasonings to your liking. Serve immediately over hot cooked rice, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

dark slate bowl with brown rice and mixed stir fry topped with green onions.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Ground Pork Stir Fry

Want to make this stir fry even more amazing? Here are a few helpful tips:

• Don’t Skip Browning the Pork: As mentioned earlier, browning the ground pork in a hot pan before breaking it up is key to developing rich, savory flavor. This Maillard reaction creates delicious browned bits that elevate the entire dish.

• Get Creative with Veggies: Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand or your family enjoys. Bell peppers, broccoli florets, snap peas, zucchini, and green beans are all excellent additions. Stir-fries are perfect for using up leftover veggies in your fridge!

• Adjust the Sauce to Your Taste: The provided sauce is a great starting point, but don’t be afraid to customize it. Add a splash of sesame oil for nutty flavor, a dash of sriracha or sambal oolek for extra heat, or a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.

• Perfect Rice Every Time: For foolproof brown rice, try the finger method. Place your uncooked rice in a pot, add water until it reaches your first knuckle when you place your middle finger on top of the rice. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 25 minutes, and let it steam off heat for 10 minutes.

Measuring rice with a pot of brown rice, water, and hand showing the water coming up to the first knuckle of the middle finger, when placed mostly flat into the pot.

Making it Your Own: Variations and Dietary Adaptations

This ground pork stir fry is easy to adapt to different dietary needs and preferences:

• Paleo-Friendly: Swap the tamari/soy sauce for coconut aminos and fish sauce. Serve over cauliflower rice, roasted sweet potatoes, or roasted kabocha squash instead of rice for a grain-free meal.

• Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free when using tamari instead of soy sauce. Double-check all your sauce ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free as well.

• Low FODMAP: Omit the onions and garlic, and use only the green parts of green onions. Be mindful of mushroom portions, as some mushrooms are higher in FODMAPs. Bell peppers and carrots are great low FODMAP veggie additions. White rice is generally better tolerated than brown rice for low FODMAP diets.

PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER! THANK YOU!

Super Easy Ground Pork Stir Fry | Frugal Nutrition

Easy Ground Pork Stir Fry

Caitlin Self, MS, CNS, LDNThis delicious Japanese-inspired ground pork stir fry is packed with flavor and is perfect for busy weeknights!

4.88 from 62 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Stir Fry, Weeknight Recipe

Cuisine Asian, Healthy

Servings 4

Calories 370 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked brown rice + about 1.5-2 cups water
• 8-12 oz ground pork or beef (or other ground meat), ½-3/4 lb
• 1 ½ cups mushrooms cut into slices (fancy mushrooms like shiitake are great here, but any will do.)
• ½ medium onion sliced into wedges or diced
• 1 cup carrots julienned, or cut into match sticks, or grated*
• 3 Tablespoons grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
• 4 cups chopped leafy greens bok choy, spinach, kale, collards, chard, etc.
• 3 Tablespoons tamari or soy sauce, divided (or for Paleo, use 2 T coconut aminos and 1 T fish sauce)
• ½ Tablespoon vinegar rice wine vinegar, white, or apple cider
• ¼ -½ teaspoon cayenne powder or red pepper flakes
• garnish: sesame seeds and green onions

Instructions

• Cook rice according to instructions on your package. I like to use a rice cooker. If using a pot on the stove, I recommend rinsing your rice 2-4 times, then placing in a large pot. I use the finger method (see above) to measure the rice, which usually comes to about 1 ½ cups of water per 1 cup of rice. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil, then reduce to a lower simmer for 25 minutes. Remove from heat (but don’t touch the lid!) and let “steam” for another 10 minutes off the heat before serving, if time allows.
• Heat a large pan or wok over high heat. Dump in the ground pork/beef and let cook, undisturbed for a few minutes until it is dark brown on the bottom. Flip and repeat on the other side.
• When the pork is cooked through, add 1 Tablespoon soy sauce and break up the meat, cooking until it is browned on all sides. Remove from pan and set aside.
• Reduce heat to medium-high. Drain off most of the oil, leaving enough to cook the vegetables (about a tablespoon or so). If you have lean meat, you might need to add a Tablespoon of butter or coconut oil. Add the onions and mushrooms and sauté until the mushrooms are a little brown.
• Add the carrots and cook for about 5 minutes more. (Note: if using grated carrot here, just add with the next step with the leafy greens, no need to cook for the extra 5 minutes.)
• Add the ginger, garlic, cayenne powder, rice vinegar, 1 Tablespoon tamari/soy sauce, and the leafy greens. Cook until wilted, then mix in the meat.
• Taste, add remaining 1 Tablespoon soy sauce if needed, and adjust seasoning as desired. Serve over rice and enjoy!

Notes

• You can use basically any vegetables for this, including bell peppers, green beans, and broccoli. Stir fries and rice bowls are great for using up any old vegetables in your fridge!
• I’ve also served this with both soy-sauce roasted kabocha squash and sweet potatoes instead of the rice, so feel free to keep it grain-free with some delicious roasted starches!
• To amp up the flavor: add sesame oil, fish sauce, coconut aminos, sriracha, or sambal oolek!
• Nutrition Label is for 12 oz ground pork

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 17gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 839mgPotassium: 753mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 8200IUVitamin B1: 1mgVitamin B2: 0.4mgVitamin B3: 7mgVitamin B5: 2mgVitamin B6: 1mgVitamin B12: 0.4µgVitamin C: 13mgVitamin D: 0.1µgVitamin E: 1mgVitamin K: 149µgCalcium: 75mgCopper: 0.4mgFolate: 88µgIron: 3mgManganese: 2mgMagnesium: 119mgPhosphorus: 308mgSelenium: 18µgZinc: 3mgCholine: 23mg

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