Tangy Pork and Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry

A quick Filipino-inspired pork and napa cabbage stir-fry gets its savory-tangy flavor from soy sauce and vinegar, with rice to make it a complete weeknight dinner.

  • Total time: 35 min
  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Estimated total cost: $8
  • Calories per serving: 710 cal
  • Stovetop

Ingredients

  • Ground pork
    12 oz $5.99
  • Organic napa cabbage
    12 oz $1.99
  • Jasmine rice, dry
    1/2 cup $4.49
  • Yellow onion
    1/2 medium $1.49
  • Organic carrot
    1 medium, about 3 oz $1.79
  • Organic garlic
    2 cloves $2.69
  • Green onions
    2 $1.39
  • Fine sea salt
    1 1/8 tsp
  • Neutral cooking oil
    2 tsp
  • Soy sauce
    2 tsp
  • White vinegar
    1 tbsp
  • Sugar
    1 tsp

Instructions

  1. Season 12 oz ground pork with 3/4 tsp fine sea salt and set aside while you prep the vegetables.

  2. Prep the vegetables:

    • Thinly slice 12 oz napa cabbage.
    • Dice 1/2 medium yellow onion.
    • Cut 1 medium carrot (about 3 oz) into thin matchsticks.
    • Mince 2 garlic cloves.
    • Thinly slice 2 green onions, keeping the pale and green parts separate.

    Keep the sliced cabbage separate from the other vegetables.

  3. Rinse 1/2 cup dry jasmine rice. Put it in a small saucepan with 3/4 cup water and 1/8 tsp fine sea salt. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.

  4. Stir together 2 tsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp white vinegar, and 1 tsp sugar to make the stir-fry sauce.

  5. While the rice cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned pork and cook for about 6 minutes, breaking it into small pieces, until browned and the center reaches 160°F. Transfer it to a bowl.

  6. Add 2 tsp neutral cooking oil to the skillet. Cook the diced onion, carrot matchsticks, and pale green onion slices for 3 minutes, stirring often. Add the minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds.

  7. Add the sliced cabbage and 1/4 tsp fine sea salt. Stir-fry for about 4 minutes, until the cabbage is tender but retains a little crunch. Return the cooked pork to the skillet, pour in the stir-fry sauce, and toss for 1–2 minutes until hot.

  8. Fluff the rice and divide it between two bowls. Spoon the pork and cabbage stir-fry alongside it and finish with the green onion tops.

Drink pairing: A cold lager suits the savory pork and vinegar tang; wine isn't needed.