Szechuan Pork Tenderloin

Szechuan Pork Tenderloin is an easy stir-fry dinner with tender marinated pork tenderloin, peanuts, and peppers, with ginger, garlic, and chili sauce.

We love a simple pork tenderloin dinner that is ready in minutes. If you are looking for other great ways to use pork tenderloin, try our Braided Pork Tenderloin or Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions.

Have you ever wanted to try a new dish at a Chinese restaurant but are afraid it’s just a little too spicy?

Traditionally, Szechuan-style cuisine is known for bringing the heat through the use of Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers. What if there was a way to try that recipe in your kitchen and have creative control over the heat level?

This is the recipe is for you. The tender chunks of marinated pork tenderloin are both spicy and sweet with a sauce that can be mild or very spicy.

This Szechuan Pork Tenderloin recipe will be complete when served over a bed of rice or noodles of choice. Chop the veggies and get the wok warm. You’re having stir fry tonight!

Ingredients

• Pork tenderloin
• Coconut or avocado oil
• Onion
• Red & green peppers
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Chile paste
• Peanuts
• Green onion
• White rice
• Marinade: soy sauce, sweet cooking rice seasoning, dark sesame oil, cornstarch, garlic
• Sauce: chicken broth, brown sugar, soy sauce, sweet cooking rice seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, cornstarch, dark sesame oil

Recipe Tips

• Use rice wine or sake in place of sweet cooking rice seasoning to reduce sweetness.
• Substitute cashews in place of peanuts.
• Serve with a side of cooked white rice.

How to cook Szechuan Pork Tenderloin

This recipe easily breaks down into three steps: marinade, sauce, and stir fry.

To prepare the marinade, mix soy sauce, sweet cooking rice seasoning, dark sesame oil, cornstarch, and garlic in a bowl.

As marinade mingles, slice 1 pound of pork tenderloin into approximately 1-inch pieces.

Place pork into the marinade bowl and stir evenly covering the pieces.

Allow the flavors to develop while preparing the remaining ingredients.

In a second bowl, make the sauce.

Whisk together the chicken broth, brown sugar, soy sauce, sweet cooking rice seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, cornstarch, and dark sesame oil.

Set aside.

Now it’s time to turn up the heat!

Place 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or large skillet and warm to low-medium heat.

Add the pork to the wok and stir fry for 5-6 minutes. Set pork aside.

Heat an additional 2 tablespoons of oil in the wok, this time on medium-high heat. Stir fry onions and peppers for 2-3 minutes.

Continue to incorporate the garlic, ginger, and Chile paste, and stir fry for 15-30 seconds.

Add in the sauce mixture and cook an additional minute or until thick, stirring constantly.

Finally, return the cooked pork to the wok, along with peanuts and green onions.

Cook until thoroughly heated.

Serve over your favorite rice, or try this Easy Pork Fried Rice.

Hunan Pork vs. Szechuan Pork

While both cuisines are known for their heat, their flavors differ due to ingredients.

Hunan pork is more of a dry spice.

The undertones of Hunan style pork are sourness and saltiness. These dishes feature more vegetables than Szechuan food.

Szechuan Pork is one of the most widely served varieties in China known for numbing heat.

The spice of hot and chili peppers is a base ingredient with sauces, while undertones of citrus, sweet, and sour are also present.

What does Szechuan pork tenderloin taste like?

Szechuan sauce has a well-balanced taste of hot, tangy, sour, and sweet.

The thick texture contributes to the use of cornstarch and can be slightly salty due to the use of soy sauce.

The overall level of heat and spice can easily be adjusted to your liking.

Is there a difference between Sichuan and Szechuan?

Szechuan may also be spelled Sichuan or Szechwan.

Szechuan cuisine is a style of Chinese food that in the Szechuan Province in southwestern China.

Whatever the regional spelling may be, the cuisine is known for its spicy, numbing heat and the liberal use of the Sichuan peppercorn.

Stir frying, steaming, and braising of meats are all techniques in traditional preparations.

Is Szechuan sweet or spicy?

Szechuan sauce is traditionally known for its spicy heat and use of chili peppers.

That said, the dish also includes a sweet and sour element.

If you prefer the heat, add more pepper, if you like the moderate heat add more of the sweet elements.

Is Szechuan spicier than General Tso?

Both are popular Chinese dishes, General Tso may be less spicy and sweeter.

A connoisseur of spice might describe General Tso as an American-Chinese dish.

Szechuan’s flavor profile uses garlic, ginger, and peppercorns for a spicer flavor.

More Pork Tenderloin Recipes

Bacon Wrapped Pork Medallions are succulent, tender cuts of pork tenderloin placed together and wrapped in crispy bacon.

Crock Pot Cranberry Pork Tenderloin is an easy slow cooker pork tenderloin recipe with cranberry that’s perfect for holidays or an everyday meal.