Spicy Pork and Bamboo Stir Fry is a super easy less than 20-minute Chinese recipe that your family is going to love.
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Easy Chinese Stir Fry
From the crunch of the fresh bamboo, to the spice of the chilis and the savory of the marinated pork, this recipe has everything going on for it. The beauty of this recipe is you can make it as spicy or mild as you like.
You can use canned bamboo shoots for this recipe too. If you like quick and easy stir fry recipes, you are going to love our Garlic Pork and Dry Fried Green Beans.
How to prepare fresh bamboo shoots?
The season for fresh bamboo is from spring to early summer. Did you know that you first must boil mature bamboo shoots?
Fresh bamboo shoots are very bitter. They cannot be consumed raw as they contain small amounts of cyanogen that may be toxic. However, cooking destroys these substances making the shoots edible.
The best way to remove these toxins is by first removing the outer skin and boiling them. Check out our recipe for Star Anise Bamboo shoots and we explain the whole process.
If you get your hands-on fresh bamboo, be sure to check out our video on how our sweet little wet market lady showed us how to peel a bamboo shoot.
What do bamboo shoots taste like?
We think the bamboo has a very mild flavor that is very similar to baby corn. However, it has addictive crunch that makes it a fun addition to many recipes. As a matter of fact, the taste is so mild that they pick up whatever flavorings of the dish you are preparing.
How to Use Bamboo?
Bamboo is a member of the grass family, believe it or not. It is pretty darn tasty grass…that’s for sure. Starting in the spring, the little bamboo shoots grow up from the ground and these shoots can be harvested to eat. Bamboo adds a little crunch to our Tofu Vegetable pancakes.
After these bamboo have completed maturity, they are peeled and boiled as described above, it can be used in so many different dishes like our Hot and Sour Soup (Suan La Tang).
Water Bamboo
Wild rice stem is a “water bamboo” that is soft delicate and slightly sweet and does not require boiling before using in a stir fry. You may like to try our Shrimp and Wild Stem Stir Fry.
Recipe Substitutions
Unless you live in Asia or have access to a well-stocked Asian market, it will be difficult for you to find fresh bamboo shoots. Feel free to use canned bamboo shoots.
Sometimes, you can find bamboo shoots that have been pre-boiled in the refrigerated section of the market. Be sure to wash these very well before slicing and using in your recipe.
Protein Options
Did you know that China is one of the largest pork consumers in the world? You bet, so that is exactly why used ground pork for this recipe.
However, feel free to exchange with ground beef, ground turkey, ground lamb, ground chicken or many seared tofu if you are vegan. We feel that using minced or ground protein allows all the flavors to mix in with the bamboo shoots.
Chinese Pork Marinade
This quick and easy marinade consists of these simple ingredients...
- soy sauce (or tamari, if you need it to be gluten free)
- garlic (well of course!)
- ginger
- sesame oil
- pinch of sugar or sugar substitute of choice
- white pepper
- red chili flakes
If you enjoy the numbing sensation, be sure to add a little Sichuan Peppers. For all of you chili heads out there, be sure to try our Mapo Tofu, Sichuan Pepper Beef and our Homemade Sichuan Garlic Chili Oil.
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More Stir Fry Recipes
Spicy Pork and Bamboo Stir Fry
Ingredients
- ¼ pound ground pork
- 2 cloves garlic
peeled and minced - 1 teaspoon ginger
freshly grated or ¼ teaspoon dried ground - ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon sugar or sugar alternative (Skip if you want low carb)
- 2 teaspoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (sherry)
- 1 tablespoon Oil for stir frying
- ½-1 teaspoon Red chili flakes or to desired heat level (optional)
- 8 oz Bamboo shoots either pre-boiled fresh or canned
- 2 Green onion sliced garnish - optional
Instructions
- Add ground pork, garlic, ginger, white pepper, sugar or sugar alternative, soy sauce (or exchange with tamari sauce if need to keep gluten-free), sesame oil, Shaoxing wine or cooking sherry and stir well. Set aside
- If using fresh bamboo, make sure that you have peeled and boiled it prior to using it in this stirfry. If using canned bamboo, open the can and drain.
- In a wok or large frying pan, add your cooking oil and chili flakes just until aromatic. Add your pork and stir fry until golden brown and no longer pink in a hot pan. Add your bamboo and stir fry for 1-2 minutes or until the flavors have had a chance to mingle and the bamboo are hot. Add your chopped green onions, toss and serve.
- Enjoy your Spicy Pork and Bamboo Stir Fry alone or with rice or cauliflower rice if doing the low carb thing.
Eha says
Living alone. Pretty much in the country. During Covid lockups which are getting more rather than less necessary in this land at the moment . . . what do you think I make most often . . . stirfries naturally ! Love the Chinese pork ones and have made many a variation on your theme without the inclusion of bamboo shoots. As I have never seen any fresh ones here they will have to arrive from a tin - shall definitely add the next time around . . . take care . . .
HWC Magazine says
Healthy and fast Stir fries are always our go to recipes too. Always quick and easy and a great way to use up those little bits and bobs of vegetables in the crisper. Canned bamboo are might easier to get your hands on. However, delicious even without.
Dana says
Now you have me craving chinese food.
HWC Magazine says
That is exactly the effect we were going for. thank you