Zesty Low-Sodium Pork and Vegetable Stir-Fry
This vibrant and flavorful stir-fry combines succulent pork tenderloin with an array of colorful vegetables, all enveloped in a zesty, low-sodium sauce. Perfect for those looking to reduce their sodium intake without sacrificing taste, this dish is easy to prepare and can be served over your choice of fluffy white or nutritious brown rice. A delightful mix of sweet and savory flavors, enhanced by ginger and garlic, makes this a satisfying meal for the whole family. Plus, with only about 125 mg of sodium per serving, you can indulge guilt-free!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons (grated)
Low-sodium teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon (None)
Frozen orange juice concentrate
2 tablespoons (thawed)
Sodium-free chicken broth
1 (13 3/4 ounce) can (None)
Crushed red pepper flakes
1/4-1/2 teaspoon (None)
Cornstarch
1 tablespoon (None)
Cornstarch
2 teaspoons (None)
Pork tenderloin
1 lb (trimmed of fat and sliced into strips)
Olive oil or peanut oil
2 tablespoons (divided)
Garlic cloves
2-3 (minced)
Snow peas
3/4 lb (trimmed)
Thinly sliced carrot
1 cup (sliced)
Hot cooked white rice or brown rice
For 4 servings (cooked)
Instructions
1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the grated ginger, low-sodium teriyaki sauce, thawed orange juice concentrate, sodium-free chicken broth, crushed red pepper flakes, and cornstarch until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
2
Slice the pork tenderloin into thin strips and heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the sliced pork and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes, or until browned. Remove the cooked pork from the pan and keep it warm on a plate.
3
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of oil along with the snow peas, minced garlic, and sliced carrots. Stir-fry the mixture over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, or until the carrots begin to soften while still retaining some crunch.
4
Return the browned pork to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Pour the prepared sauce over the meat and vegetables. Stir to coat everything evenly.
5
Allow the mixture to cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
6
Serve the stir-fry hot over warm, cooked white or brown rice.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zesty Low-Sodium Pork and Vegetable Stir-Fry?
It is a vibrant dish combining pork tenderloin and colorful vegetables in a zesty, low-sodium sauce containing ginger and garlic.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to yield 4 servings.
How much sodium is in each serving?
Each serving contains approximately 125 mg of sodium.
What type of pork should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of pork tenderloin, trimmed of fat and sliced into strips.
What vegetables are included in the stir-fry?
The dish includes 3/4 lb of trimmed snow peas and 1 cup of thinly sliced carrots.
What is in the stir-fry sauce?
The sauce is made from ginger, low-sodium teriyaki sauce, orange juice concentrate, sodium-free chicken broth, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch.
Is the chicken broth sodium-free?
Yes, to keep the dish low-sodium, the recipe requires a 13 3/4 ounce can of sodium-free chicken broth.
How do I prepare the ginger?
You should use 1 1/2 teaspoons of fresh ginger that has been grated.
What gives the dish its zesty flavor?
The zestiness comes from the combination of fresh ginger, garlic, and thawed orange juice concentrate.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a slight kick from 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe recommends using 2 to 3 minced garlic cloves.
What kind of oil is best for this stir-fry?
You can use either olive oil or peanut oil.
How do I thicken the sauce?
The sauce is thickened using cornstarch, which is whisked into the liquid ingredients before cooking.
How long do I cook the pork?
The sliced pork should be stir-fried for about 3-4 minutes until browned.
How long should the vegetables cook?
The snow peas, garlic, and carrots should be stir-fried for 3-4 minutes until the carrots begin to soften but remain crunchy.
What should I serve the stir-fry over?
It is best served hot over warm, cooked white rice or brown rice.
How long does the final mixture simmer?
After adding the sauce, allow the mixture to cook for an additional 5-6 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
What type of orange juice is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of thawed frozen orange juice concentrate.
Is this a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal and is designed for easy preparation.
Is this dish family-friendly?
Yes, it is a satisfying meal suitable for the whole family.
Can I use a wok for this recipe?
Yes, you can use either a large skillet or a wok.
How many ingredients are in the recipe?
There are a total of 13 ingredients listed.
Is the pork cooked separately from the vegetables?
Yes, the pork is browned first, removed from the pan, and then returned after the vegetables are sautéed.
What is the texture of the carrots?
The carrots should be cooked until they start to soften but still retain some crunch.
What is the purpose of the orange juice concentrate?
It adds a sweet and tangy citrus note to the sauce without adding excessive sodium.
Can I use low-sodium teriyaki sauce?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1 tablespoon of low-sodium teriyaki sauce.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is to whisk together the ginger, teriyaki sauce, juice concentrate, broth, pepper flakes, and cornstarch.
How much oil is used in total?
A total of 2 tablespoons of oil is used, divided between cooking the pork and the vegetables.
What makes the sauce glossy?
The combination of cornstarch and heat as it thickens creates a glossy finish.
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is a healthy, low-sodium option that uses lean pork and fresh vegetables.