Moo Shu Pork

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Moo Shu Pork is a popular Chinese takeout dish made with pork and fresh veggies cooked in a simple yet flavor packed sauce. This delicious and healthy take on a classic take-out dish is guaranteed to become a staple in your home!

231 CAL 17g CARBS 6g FAT 25g PROTEIN
2 Comments

If you’re a Chinese take-out lover like me, then you’re probably familiar with Moo Shu Pork. If not, allow me to change your life. This classic dish is found on the menu of nearly every Chinese restaurant in America, and for good reason.

The other great thing about this dish, it’s super easy to make and comes together from start to finish in about 15 minutes.

My take on Moo Shu Pork is made with pork tenderloin, mushrooms, cabbage, and green onions. The pork and veggies are married in a savory Moo Shu sauce that is guaranteed to have you reaching for seconds before you’ve even finished your first plate. I’m speaking from experience, of course.

When I’m craving Chinese food but trying to eat healthy and save money, this is one of my go-to dishes. It’s quick, easy, wholesome, and insanely tasty. I don’t know about you, but any dish that allows me to save money without sacrificing flavor is a win in my book! We also love making this dish with chicken, beef, and vegetables.

Whether you’re looking for Chinese-inspired dinner recipes or quick and easy lunch recipes, this Moo Shu Pork guarantees to please. Serve it up on its own for a super satisfying meal or alongside white rice, fried rice, or chow mein for a larger meal.

Moo shu stir fry with pork tenderloin, cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms in a bowl with herbs.

What is Moo Shu Pork?

Moo Shu Pork, also spelled as Moo Xu Pork, is a traditional northern Chinese dish. Over the years, it gained tremendous popularity and spread throughout China and eventually to Western countries. Today, it is a staple in most American Chinese restaurants and one of my favorite take-out dishes.

The dish consists of pork or chicken, eggs, and shiitake mushrooms cooked in oil. Veggies like scallions and cabbage are also commonly added to the dish. A classic Moo Shu sauce typically contains ingredients like hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. When everything is combined and cooked, this dish is seriously delicious.

Normally Moo Shu Pork is served with very thin flour pancakes or tortillas. Since these pancakes can be difficult to make at home, many people serve this dish with flour tortillas.

Key Ingredients

To make this incredible dish, you will need the following key ingredients:

  • Pork tenderloin: Make sure to slice the pork into very thin strips for the best results. This ensures the pork comes out super tender.
  • Veggies: You will need green onions, coleslaw mix (or sliced cabbage and carrots), and mushrooms for this dish. I like to use shiitake mushrooms or wood ear mushrooms, but you can use any kind you prefer.
  • Hoisin sauce: This is a thick, salty, and slightly sweet sauce that is commonly used in a variety of Chinese dishes. It coats our pork and veggies, adding a ton of amazing flavor to every bite. For a thinner sauce, add some soy sauce to the hoisin.
  • Rice vinegar: The acidity in rice vinegar helps to enhance the rest of the flavors in this recipe, making it extra tasty.
  • Aromatics: Fresh ginger, garlic, and cilantro add a ton of incredible flavor to this dish. For the best results, I highly recommend sticking to the fresh variations of these ingredients.
  • Sriracha: I love adding Sriracha or Asian chile paste for a really delicious kick. If you aren’t a fan of spicy food, feel free to leave it out.

Recipe Tips and Substitutions

Here are some of my top recipe tips and substitutions to help you make this Asian-inspired dish:

  • If you can’t find cabbage slaw at the store, you can grab a head of cabbage and chop it up yourself. I prefer to use slaw when I can find it because it cuts down on my prep time.
  • While shiitake mushrooms are traditionally used in this dish, you can use any mushrooms that you like. Button and oyster mushrooms both work well.
  • If you can’t find pork tenderloin, feel free to use boneless pork chops or pork loin instead.
  • If you’re worried about the spice level, try reducing the amount of the sriracha or Asian chile paste by half. Alternatively, you can leave it out altogether. Try swapping in black pepper for the chile paste for spiciness without the heat. Some recipes call for white pepper.
  • If you want to add more veggies, go right ahead! Some of my top picks include bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, bell peppers, water chestnuts, and green beans.
  • If you don’t want to use pork, you can swap it out for chicken breast or flank steak.
  • For the best results, cook this dish at high heat in a wok or heavy skillet. When cooking at very high temperatures, you may want to use vegetable or canola oil instead of cooking spray.
  • For even more flavor, use the sauce as a marinade for the pork mixture.
  • Never overcrowd the pan or the pork will steam instead of sear. A large skillet is best so the pork cooks correctly.

Pork stir fry with moo shu sauce, thinly sliced pork, mushrooms, cabbage, carrots, and fresh herbs.

How to Store Moo Shu Pork

I will admit that I don’t typically wind up with leftovers of this dish. This is mainly because my family goes nuts over it every time I make it. However, if you make too much, you can transfer the leftovers to an airtight storage container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.

I don’t recommend freezing this dish, as this would likely alter the texture and flavor. That being said, if you have leftover cooked pork that hasn’t been added to the dish, you can store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Moo Shu Pork:

The ingredients in Moo Shu sauce can vary depending on the recipe. However, the most common ingredients used in this sauce include hoisin sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, and aromatics like ginger and garlic.

You can serve this dish on its own or with any side dishes you like. Some of my top choices for side dishes for Moo Shu Pork include scallion pancakes, flour tortillas, or white rice.

Yes! Pork is a lean meat that is high in protein and minerals. When paired with fresh veggies and our light Moo Shu sauce, this low-carb dish makes a perfectly healthy addition to any diet.

Bowl filled with moo shu style pork and vegetables topped with fresh cilantro.
The Recipe

Moo Shu Pork

231 CAL 17g CARBS 6g FAT 25g PROTEIN
PREP TIME: 10 Min
COOK TIME: 15 Min
TOTAL TIME: 25 Min
2 Comments
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tsp fresh ginger root, minced
  • 2 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp Sriracha (or other Asian chile paste, or more)
  • 1 lb lean pork tenderloin, sliced thin (for stir-fry)
  • Cooking spray
  • 14 oz cabbage slaw mix
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 green onions, chopped
  • 2 tbsp cilantro, fresh, minced

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Instructions

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1

Whisk together the hoisin sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, vinegar, and Asian chile paste in a bowl.

Moo shu stir fry sauce being stirred in a small bowl.
2

Season the pork with salt and pepper. Heat a non-stick skillet over high heat. Once hot, spray with cooking spray and add the pork. Cook for 4-6 minutes until just cooked through. Remove the pork and set it aside.

Thinly sliced pork tenderloin cooking in a skillet.
3

Add more cooking spray and add the scallions, cabbage, mushrooms, and sauce. Cook for about 5 minutes until cabbage and mushrooms are tender.

Mushrooms, carrots, scallions, and cabbage cooking in a skillet with moo shu sauce.
4

Stir in the pork and sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes for the sauce to thicken. Remove from heat and top with cilantro.

Moo shu pork in a skillet topped with fresh cilantro.
Diets:
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 1.5 - 2 cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 231
Calories from Fat 50
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6g
8%
Saturated Fat 1g
6%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 75mg
25%
Sodium 448mg
19%
Total Carbohydrate 17g
6%
Dietary Fiber 4g
14%
Sugars 10g
Protein 25g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

Notes

Traditionally Moo Shu Pork is served with very thin flour pancakes. This can be served with thin flour tortillas for a more authentic spin.
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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
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2 Comments
On Moo Shu Pork
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Jimmy Shu
January 14, 2024 - 14:49
usually has lilly buds (traditionally)
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Jody
June 13, 2022 - 17:30
Add a Rating:
5
Love your recipes and use LOTS of them!
Do you have a substitute for the mushrooms if we don't like/eat them, or just leave them out?
Thank you!
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