Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (2024)

by Ryan 25 Comments

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This Mongolian pork recipe takes an old favorite but uses thinly sliced pork instead of beef that is tossed in a sweet soy garlic ginger sauce. It doesn't hurt that it can be prepared in under 30 minutes.

Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (1)

While I love Chinese take-out, you can make so many delicious dishes at home - from chicken and vegetable stir fry to gluten free orange chicken to vegetarian cauliflower fried rice.

But one of the most popular dishes is Mongolian beef. However I felt like changing it up and wanted to use pork instead.

While you quickly cook pork in some cornstarch which gets it crispy but juicy, it is the sauce which is the star. Comprising a ton of garlic and ginger and then getting saltiness from soy sauce and sweetness from the dark brown sugar, it is both sweet and salty.

By using a dark brown sugar, you get a dark, almost molasses-like sauce. There really isn't much better or easier to make than this Mongolian pork recipe.

Jump to:
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Ingredient Swaps
  • Step-by-Step Photos
  • FAQs
  • Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
  • Mongolian Pork
Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (2)

Ingredient Notes

  • Pork - I like using pork tenderloin as you can get 1 lb and it is fairly easy to slice. It works great for other recipes like this rosemary pork tenderloin as well.
  • Cornstarch - helps crisp up the pork but also thickens the sauce as it is heated through.
  • Garlic and ginger - the two prominent flavors of the sauce which adds a warm/nutty flavor.
  • Soy sauce - where the saltiness comes from.
  • Dark brown sugar - offsets the saltiness with an equal amount of sweetness.

Ingredient Swaps

Like any recipe you can mix up the ingredients. Some variations include:

  • It is called Mongolian pork for a reason, but you can use flank steak or chicken.
  • Chinese recipes usually calls for cornstarch to fry and thicken sauces, but all-purpose flour is a good substitute.
  • I like dark brown sugar for the sauce, but light brown or even granulated sugar works too.

Step-by-Step Photos

Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (3)

Toss the thinly sliced pork with some cornstarch before cooking in a skillet with some oil over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes, or until the pork is cooked and slightly charred. Remove from the skillet.

Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (4)

Cook the garlic and ginger for 30 seconds before adding the soy sauce, sugar and water. Let it come to a boil before adding the pork back in, tossing to coat.

FAQs

What is the Best Type of Pork to Use?

I personally like to use pork tenderloin as you can easily find it in 1 lb packages but pork loin or even pork shoulder would work just as well. Loin has a similar amount of muscle, while shoulder has more so it works better over a long period of cooking to break it down.

How Do I Thinly Slice the Pork?

The key is to have a good knife. You want it sliced as thin as possible. A cheat way to make it easier is to throw in the freezer for 10-30 minutes which firms it up and makes it easier to slice.

How Do I Know the Pork is Done?

Like beef, pork has different temperatures, depending on your tastes. The minimum is 145°F, but it can go as high as 165°F. This pork is so thinly sliced, it will be cooked very quickly but will remain tender.

What to Serve with Mongolian Pork?

Like most stir fry recipes, serving over some steamed or baked white rice is always a good choice. If you want some vegetables, add some stir fry veggies.

How Long Does it Last?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. You can also freeze for up to 3 months.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

  • Place pork in the freezer for 10-30 minutes so it is easier to slice thinly.
  • Beconsistentwith the size you slice the pork so itcooks evenly.
  • Cook thepork in batchesso you don’t overload the skillet orwokand cool it down. You want to cook the pork quickly and adding too much at a time willslow the cooking process.
  • While not traditional, if you like some heat, add crushed red pepper flakes ¼ teaspoon at a time.
Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (5)

If you’ve tried this Mongolian pork recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow meonFacebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (6)

Print Recipe

4.93 from 27 votes

Mongolian Pork

This Mongolian pork recipe takes an old favorite using thinly sliced pork instead of beef that is tossed in a sweet soy garlic ginger sauce.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Servings: 4

Calories: 372kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb pork tenderloin
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Place tenderloin in freezer for 10 minutes so you can thinly slice. You want to slice it about ⅛ inch thickness if possible.

  • Toss the pork in a bowl with the cornstarch, making sure everything is coated. Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat.

  • Shake off any excess cornstarch from the pork and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the pork is charred. When it is done, remove from the skillet.

  • Add the garlic and ginger to the skillet, cooking for 30 seconds. Add the soy sauce, water and dark brown sugar and let it come to a boil. Add the pork back in and cook for 30 seconds. Add the green onions and serve over some rice.

Notes

  • Place pork in the freezer for 10-30 minutes so it is easier to slice thinly.
  • Beconsistentwith the size you slice the pork so itcooks evenly.
  • Cook thepork in batchesso you don’t overload the skillet orwokand cool it down. You want to cook the pork quickly and adding too much at a time willslow the cooking process.
  • While not traditional, if you like some heat, add crushed red pepper flakes ¼ teaspoon at a time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 1546mg | Potassium: 555mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g

Did You Try This Recipe?I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Eva says

    Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (11)
    This recipe was so easy and was very, very good. I will be making it again and again.

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  2. Natalie M. says

    Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (12)
    My husband and I really enjoyed this dish. I omitted the sesame seeds, used light brown sugar instead of dark, and I did use powdered ginger, as that’s all I had on hand(I know - it’s much better with fresh), but it was still very good! I will be making this again.

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  3. Monica Van Rickley says

    Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (13)
    Thank you, for sharing this recipe - I love Mongolian Beef and I happened to have pork thawed, so this was right up my alley. I subbed the brown sugar for some orange 🍊 marmalade infused with jalepeno that I had made earlier today. I used 1/4 cup and added all other ingredients as the recipe states. It came out perfectly!

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply

    • Ryan says

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  4. Julie Childers says

    Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (14)
    I made this tonight to help get rid of a pork loin. It came together so easily! This was also amazingly easy and so delicious. I added mushrooms and it was great. This definitely makes it into the rotation.

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  5. Ericka says

    Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (15)
    Incredibly easy! And so so yummy!

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Glad you liked it!

      Reply

  6. Marcie says

    Perfect. Pork is so much cheaper than beef right now so I'm always looking for new recipes. Thanks

    Reply

  7. David says

    Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (16)
    Excellent recipe. Any hints on how best to reheat this?

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      I would heat in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through. Add a dash of water if needed.

      Reply

  8. Rebecca Tilinski says

    Can I freeze leftovers?

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Yep it should last 3 months in the freezer.

      Reply

  9. Greg w says

    Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (17)
    Came out delicious! I added green beans and mushrooms

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  10. Mary says

    This was so easy and so very good. I had 2 pork steaks I needed to use up because I couldn't refreeze them so I cut in chunks and followed recipe. I did add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and a tsp of sesame oil because I didn't have sesame seeds. Served over rice. It came out delicious. Will be making again.

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  11. Miranda K Greenlee says

    Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (18)
    Added broccoli at the end while I was making the rice and covered it. Steamed the broccoli and the pork got a little extra time to cook. It was great. I do want to ask, should the pork loin be cut into cubes or slices? I did slices because I was sure that is what was meant but the picture looks more cubed than mine turned out. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      It is slices. The sauce just might have made it look cubed.

      Reply

  12. Kelsey Theriault says

    Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (19)
    Solid stir fry! I’ve never used pork tenderloin in a stir fry, but I definitely will be using it exclusively from now on. I doubled this recipe and also added 1 thin sliced onion and 2 sliced seeded jalapenos with the pork. I made the sauce on the side (sauteed garlic and ginger, 3/4 c soy sauce, 1/2 c water, 1/4 c dark brown sugar) so I could use a little in the stir fry, but people could add it to taste.

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Glad you enjoyed!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Mongolian Pork Recipe - Uses Pork Instead of Beef - Chisel & Fork (2024)

FAQs

What kind of pork is used for Chinese food? ›

While different cuts of pork can be used to make char siu, from lean boneless pork loin to fattier cuts, those fatty cuts like pork shoulder/pork butt really are best suited to making a tasty Chinese BBQ pork char siu.

How to make pork extremely tender? ›

How to Make Tender Pork Chops
  1. Opt for Thick-Cut Bone-In Pork Chops. Thin-cut pork chops won't sear properly in the time it takes to cook them through. ...
  2. Skip the Brine, but Season Liberally. ...
  3. Let the Pork Chops Rest. ...
  4. Sear Pork Chops Over Medium-High Heat. ...
  5. Baste the Pork Chops. ...
  6. Let the Pork Chops Rest, Again. ...
  7. Serve.
Feb 14, 2018

How do Chinese make pork so tender? ›

How do you tenderise pork for stir fry? Velveting is a Chinese technique that helps keep meat tender during stir frying. Adding cornstarch and bicarb to your meat during the marinating process helps to coat your meat, giving it a velvety feel that makes the meat feel extra soft.

What is the history of Mongolian pork? ›

Mongolian pork is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine that is believed to have originated in Taiwan. Despite its name, it is not actually a traditional Mongolian dish, but rather a creation of Taiwanese chefs who drew inspiration from the flavors of Mongolian barbecue.

Why do Chinese prefer pork? ›

Cows and buffalo were too valuable and productive for farming to be slaughtered for food. Chinese palates also prefer the flavour of pig meat over that of bovines. Gourmets talk about its naturally sweeter taste, while beef is considered drier and chewier.

What is shredded pork called in Chinese food? ›

Yuxiang shredded pork (simplified Chinese: 鱼香肉丝; traditional Chinese: 魚香肉絲; pinyin: yúxiāng ròusī; sometimes translated as fish-flavored pork slices, or more vaguely as shredded pork with garlic sauce) is a common dish in Sichuan cuisine.

Does pork get more tender the longer you simmer it? ›

A lean cut of pork does not get delicious like that, but it does get tender if you cook it long enough once you've gone past the point of cooking it until it's just done (around 140-145 degrees).

What tenderizes pork the best? ›

If you're not confident in your cooking skills, there is one foolproof way to guarantee your pork ends up on the tender side, even if you cook it too long: Soak it in a brine or a marinade. According to Hazel, these kinds of preparations always produce the most tender outcomes.

Does lemon juice make pork tender? ›

Lemons are highly acidic, making them a great meat tenderizer. A thick coating of lemon juice applied one hour before cooking will draw water from the meat, thus, improving the meat's texture. Adding too much of this marinade could actually toughen the meat.

Why do Chinese boil pork before cooking? ›

Boil the pork belly for about 5 minutes. This will remove a lot of the impurities from the pork and you will see a film of scum on the surface. Remove the pork belly and allow to cook on a plate or rack.

What does baking soda do to pork? ›

Briefly soaking meat in a solution of baking soda and water raises the pH on the meat's surface, making it more difficult for the proteins to bond excessively, which keeps the meat tender and moist when it's cooked.

What do Chinese restaurants use to make meat tender? ›

Kaitlin Leung of The Woks of Life, a blog dedicated to Chinese cooking, shares that a standard velveting mixture could include egg white and cornstarch, plus a few tablespoons of water – to help coat the meat yes, but also to make the meat extra tender and juicy.

Why is Chinese pork so red? ›

The red hue on the pork comes from the sticky, crave-able barbecue sauce in which it's marinaded before roasting. Often, this deep crimson hue comes from a combination of Hoisin sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, and fermented red bean curd (aka fermented tofu, bean cheese, or tofu cheese).

What is the most consumed meat in Mongolia? ›

Mongolian Mutton

Mutton is the most commonly used meat all the year around. Mongolian sheep eat 80 species of plants. 30 of the plants are medicinal plants. Therefore, they use mutton to relieve tiredness.

Do Mongolian don't eat pork? ›

Many people assume that Mongolians don't eat pork. Normally, Mongolians don't eat much pork but Russian style pork bacon is popular. Do most Kazakhs eat pork? I heard due to their nomadic culture they don't.

What is the most common Chinese meat? ›

Pork dominates China's meat market. In 2022, it took up more than 50 percent of the domestic meat consumption. China is by far the world's largest pork producer, consumer, and importer.

What kind of pork to buy for stir-fry? ›

The Ideal cuts for a stir-fry are fillet, loin and leg. These cuts can be diced, minced or cut into portioned strips ready for stir-frying. When cutting meat, always ensure you cut the meat across the grain. Preheat wok to a high temperature.

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