Sesame Pork Stir-Fry

Sesame pork is a delicious stir-fry that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. Tender, lean pork tenderloin is transformed into a main dish with loads of flavor. Serve the pork with hot cooked rice or noodles. Feel free to customize the recipe with other ingredients. Add bean sprouts, spinach, or bok choy to the stir fry.

Peanut butter and sesame oil are balanced with soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. I like a little heat, but you can omit the chili paste if you like.

Ingredient Notes

• Pork tenderloin: Lean and tender—slice thinly for fast, even cooking.
• Chinese cooking wine or dry sherry: Adds complexity to the marinade.
• Soy sauce: Adds salty, umami flavor to both the marinade and sauce.
• Cornstarch: Helps seal in moisture and gives the pork a silky finish.
• Peanut oil: High-heat oil perfect for stir-frying.
• Peanut butter: Adds creaminess and depth to the sauce.
• Sesame oil: Toasted sesame oil offers the most flavor, but regular works too.
• Honey or sugar: Sweetens the sauce—adjust to taste.
• Rice vinegar: Adds acidity to balance the richness.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic brings sharp, aromatic flavor.
• Chili paste or sriracha: Optional heat—start small and taste.
• Green onions: Adds freshness and a nice bite—use both white and green parts.
• Sesame seeds: A finishing touch for added crunch and sesame flavor.

Steps to Make Sesame Pork Stir-Fry

1. Combine sliced pork with wine, soy sauce, and cornstarch; stir and set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients including green onion whites.
3. Heat peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
4. Stir-fry the pork until browned and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Remove pork to a serving dish and set aside.
6. Add the sauce to the wok and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring and adjusting seasoning to taste.
7. Pour the sauce over the cooked pork.
8. Garnish with green onion tops and sesame seeds before serving.

Recipe Variations

• Vegetable boost. Add sliced bell peppers, bok choy, or snow peas to the stir-fry.
• Noodle version. Toss the pork and sauce with cooked lo mein or rice noodles instead of serving over rice.
• Nut-free option. Swap the peanut butter for tahini or sunflower seed butter.
• Extra spicy. Increase the chili paste or add crushed red pepper flakes.
• Sweet and tangy twist. Add a splash of orange juice or pineapple juice to the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve over jasmine or basmati rice.
• Pair with steamed broccoli or stir-fried greens.
• Toss with noodles for a saucy noodle bowl.
• Top with extra green onions and a drizzle of sriracha.
• Add a side of egg rolls or dumplings for a takeout-style dinner.

Sesame Pork Stir-Fry

Diana

Cook up a delicious sesame pork stir-fry in under 30 minutes! Tender pork tenderloin paired with a flavorful sauce served over rice or noodles.

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Servings 4 servings

Calories 425

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Course Pork

Cuisine Asian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes minutes

Total Time 18 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  

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For the Pork

• 1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin, sliced thinly
• 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine, or dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil

For the Sauce

• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil, toasted or regular
• 2 to 3 tablespoons honey, or granulated sugar, to taste
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic, finely minced
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili paste , or sriracha sauce
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced , white and light green separated from dark green
• sesame seeds, for garnish (2 to 3 teaspoons)

Instructions

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• Combine the sliced pork, wine, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a medium bowl, stir to combine and set aside.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the peanut butter with sesame oil, honey or sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, pepper, chili paste, and the white parts of the green onions. Set aside.
• Heat the peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
• Add the pork to the hot oil and cook, stirring constantlly, until browned and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove the pork to a serving dish.
• Add the sauce mixture to the wok and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Pour the sauce mixture over the pork.
• Garnish with the chopped green onion tops and sesame seeds.

Nutrition

Calories: 425kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 38gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 377mgPotassium: 780mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 126IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 2mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword sesame pork, stir-fry

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