5-Spice Pork Stir Fry Recipe

You don't need to order takeout to get a little taste of delicious stir fry in the comfort of your own home. This 5-spice pork stir fry recipe is incredibly flavorful thanks to the 5-spice powder — a common aromatic spice blend in Chinese cooking — and a soy sauce-based sauce that goes on top. If you add a bed of rice noodles and a few veggies, this is a complete meal. Whether you're craving a takeout-style meal with the family at home or are entertaining friends, this stir fry pleases a crowd. We also must mention that the method of stir-frying a dish adds a lot more flavor and zip to the dish, thanks to a fast-cooking wok. 

Recipe developer Catherine Brookes of Blue Sky Eating came up with this top-notch stir fry recipe. "Pork is such a versatile meat and work perfectly in this tasty stir fry," she explains, adding, "there's plenty of colorful crunchy veg, and the easy sauce has a great balance of sweet and sourness. Since it's super quick to prepare, I love to make this as an easy weeknight meal." 

For this recipe, you'll need pork loin cut into strips, Chinese 5-spice powder, soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, red pepper flakes, grated ginger, garlic cloves, red bell pepper, snow peas, button mushrooms, a large carrot, and dry rice noodles.

Can't find 5-spice powder? You can make your own with ground cinnamon, fennel, star anise, clove, and Sichuan peppercorns. This mix isn't super spicy, but adds a nice, warm flavor and a subtle, numbing heat.

Lastly, if you'd like, you can top your final product with sesame seeds and sliced scallions.

Take out a bowl that is large enough to hold all of your sliced pork. Toss in the meat and sprinkle in a little of the 5-spice. Mix well to coat each piece of pork with plenty of spice and then set the bowl aside.

In a separate bowl, add the elements of your sauce: the soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, and red pepper flakes. "You can adjust the red pepper flakes to taste depending on how spicy you'd like the dish to be," Brookes notes. 

Now, it's time to get cooking. Grab a wok and place it on your burner. Crank the heat up to medium-high and spray a little cooking oil in the wok to prevent anything from sticking. Toss in the pork and fry for about 5 minutes.

At this time, you can add the ginger and garlic and cook everything together for another minute. Be sure to stir constantly as you cook so you don't burn the garlic. Then, you can add the remaining items to the mix: the red pepper, snow peas, mushrooms, and carrot. Cook for a few more minutes, making sure to stir frequently until the veggies are slightly softened.

Grab the noodles and check the back of the box or bag for cooking instructions. Every brand and variety differs, so it's best to follow their specific directions. Once you cook the noodles, remove them from heat and drain. Add them to your serving bowls.

Add the stir fry to the top of the noodles, and enjoy! If you'd like, you can top with sesame seeds and sliced scallions. This is plenty filling on its own, but Brookes provides a few additional serving suggestions that you may want to try. "You could also serve with rice, crusty bread, spring rolls, or dumplings," she suggests. 

Be sure to keep any extras. "Leftovers will keep well for up to 2 days covered in the fridge," Brookes notes.