Spicy Szechuan Pork and Green Bean Stir-Fry with Candied Peanuts

Forget takeout—this sweet-spicy-savory stir-fry comes together in just 30 minutes! Ground pork and green beans are coated in a tantalizing Szechuan sauce, while peanuts are transformed into a crunchy, sugary topping. Everything is served over a bed of steamy rice infused with warm, sizzling ginger.

The result is a symphony of flavors and textures that’s so delicious, you might just lick the plate. Ready to impress your family on a busy weeknight? Let’s get cooking!

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Ingredients

1 thumb GingerView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce Green BeansView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit ScallionsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Jasmine RiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 ounce PeanutsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground PorkView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Vegetable OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Szechuan PasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Sweet Soy GlazeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry all produce. Peel and mince or grate the ginger. Trim the green beans and cut them crosswise into 2-inch pieces. Trim and thinly slice the scallions, separating the white parts from the green tops.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add half the ginger and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the rice, ¾ cup water, and a big pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a low simmer. Cook until rice is tender, 15–18 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.
3. Meanwhile, place the green beans in a medium microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until tender, 1–2 minutes. Drain and set aside. Heat a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the peanuts, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 2 tablespoons water. Cook, stirring, until the water evaporates and the peanuts are coated and lightly toasted, 3–5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
4. Wipe out the pan used for peanuts. Heat a drizzle of vegetable oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and cook, breaking it up into pieces, until browned, 4–6 minutes (it will finish cooking in the next step).
5. Stir in the green beans, scallion whites, remaining ginger, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the ginger is fragrant and the pork is cooked through, 1–2 minutes. If the scallions brown too quickly, reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the Szechuan paste, sweet soy glaze, and ¼ cup water. Cook, stirring, until everything is thoroughly coated, 1–2 minutes more. Turn off the heat.
6. Fluff the rice with a fork and season with salt and pepper. Divide the rice between bowls. Taste the stir-fry and season with salt and pepper if needed; spoon it over the rice. Sprinkle with the scallion greens and candied peanuts. Serve immediately.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Small pot

SENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on AmazonCuisinart 8919-14 Professional Series 1-Quart Saucepan with Cover, Stainless Steel, Mirror FinishView on Amazon

Large nonstick pan

Tramontina Professional 14-Inch Non Stick Extra Large Frying Pan, Heavy-Gauge Aluminum Skillet with Reinforced Nonstick Coating, Red Handle, Dishwasher and Oven SafeView on AmazonSENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on Amazon

Medium microwave-safe bowl

Dependable Industries inc. Essentials Unbreakable Microwave Bowls Heat and Eat 26 OZ Dishwasher Safe BPA-Free Plastic for Serving Soup Pasta Noodles Oatmeal Cereal Stakable Set of 4View on AmazonDOWAN 22 OZ White Ceramic Bowls Set of 4 - Perfect for Soup Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl, Ramen Bowl, Microwave Safe for Oatmeal, Fruit,Salad and Rice Bowl - Dishwasher & Microwave SafeView on AmazonHOTEC BPA Free Unbreakable Wheat Straw Cereal Bowls - Microwave & Dishwasher Safe Soup and Salad Bowls, Set of 8, 26oz, MulticolorView on Amazon

Plastic wrap

Reynolds Kitchens Quick Cut Plastic Wrap, 225 Square FeetView on AmazonReynolds 912 Foodservice Clear Plastic Wrap Film, 15 inch Width, 2000 FeetView on AmazonPlastic Food Wrap Thick Enough for daily use Stronger for Comercial Use Durable With Slide Cutter 12"wide 2000 Feet long Home and Commercial Use Food ServiceView on Amazon

Small bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I substitute the ground pork with another protein?

Yes! Ground chicken, turkey, or beef work well. You can also use diced firm tofu for a vegetarian version.

What if I can't find Szechuan paste?

You can substitute with a mix of 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce and 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce or sriracha.

How do I store leftovers?

Store the stir-fry and rice separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan or microwave.