Stir-frying thinly sliced pork tenderloin in a ripping hot skillet means it will stay juicy and absorb lots of flavor, making it the champion of this fast, vegetable-heavy dish.
Prep is the key to a great stir-fry. Here, about 15 minutes of slicing and marinating will successfully set you up for the final, dizzyingly fast cook. Have the rice cooked, the table set, and the ingredients prepped before you even turn on the stove.
Recipe information
Total Time
40 minutes
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Slice 1 pork tenderloin (about 1 lb.) crosswise on a slight diagonal against the grain ¼" thick. Transfer to a medium bowl and add 2 Tbsp. cornstarch, 1 Tbsp. soy sauce, and 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil. Toss with your hands until meat is well coated. Cover and let sit at least 15 minutes.
Step 2
Stir together one 2" piece ginger, peeled, finely grated, ¼ cup oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp. sugar, 1 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil, 1 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar, remaining 2 Tbsp. soy sauce, and ¼ cup water in a small bowl; set sauce aside.
Step 3
Heat remaining ¼ cup vegetable oil in a large stainless-steel or cast-iron skillet over medium-high until almost smoking. Arrange sliced pork in pan in a single layer, separating clumps with a fork as much as possible. Cook, undisturbed, until deep golden brown underneath, about 5 minutes (fat will spatter as the meat cooks, so stand back). Using tongs, transfer pork to a large plate, leaving as much oil in pan as possible (meat won’t be fully cooked through at this point but don’t worry; it will cook more later).
Step 4
Cook 8 oz. sugar snap peas, trimmed, in same pan, tossing occasionally, until tender and blistered in spots, about 3 minutes. Transfer to plate with pork.
Step 5
Cook 1 medium white onion, sliced into ½"-thick rings, in same pan, tossing occasionally and adding up to 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil if pan is dry, until blistered in spots, about 4 minutes. Add 6 garlic cloves, smashed, and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium.
Step 6
Return pork and peas to pan and pour in reserved sauce (it should simmer right away). Cook, stirring, until meat is cooked through and sauce is clinging to meat and vegetables, about 1 minute.
Step 7
Transfer stir-fry to a large shallow bowl or a platter and serve with steamed rice.
Do Ahead: Sauce can be made 8 hours ahead; cover and chill. Pork can be marinated 8 hours ahead; keep covered and chill. No need to bring to room temperature before cooking.
