Ground pork is cooked with fresh ginger and brown sugar, then served over rice with a selection of toppings, like cool, crisp veggies, herbs, and chopped peanuts.
Lately, rice bowls have become my family’s favorite go-to dinner option. They’re fast, relatively healthy, and super delicious. And these Pork Ginger Rice Bowls are at the top of our list of favorite bowl recipes.
The thing I love most about bowls–besides that they’re so quick to make–is that you can serve a variety of optional toppings, so everyone is happy.
For example, my teenage son opts for rice, pork, peanuts, and peanut sauce. Which kind of negates the healthy portion of the meal (the veggies!). But hey, he eats dinner without complaining, so that’s a win.
I even served these rice bowls when we had our friends and their six young kids over for dinner. Surprisingly, the kids all chose some type of vegetable(s) for their bowls, and even the pickiest eaters cleaned their plates…..or should I say, bowls?
We usually serve these pork bowls with diced cucumber, shredded carrots, a selection of fresh herbs, chopped peanuts and peanut sauce, and some lime wedges. Chopped bell or hot peppers are another delicious option. But really, the possibilities are endless.
I usually start my rice cooker, and by the time the rice is ready, the rest of the meal is ready too. The ground pork cooks up in 10-15 minutes, then all that’s left to do is chop up some veggies and peanuts.
Peanut sauce and peanuts are definitely my family’s favorite toppings, but I love the contrast of the cool veggies with the warm meat.
Store-bought peanut sauce is a real time-saver, but if you’d like to make your own, my Homemade Thai Peanut Sauce recipe is a great option.
Everything really comes together in a delicious smorgasbord of colors and flavors, and since there are just three of us at home now, we usually have enough left for lunch the next day.
These Pork Ginger Rice Bowls are one of the few meals I repeat on a regular basis, and they never get old. I hope you love them as much as we do!
Be sure to save this recipe for Pork Ginger Rice Bowls to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Tips for Making Perfect Rice
How much water? You’ll often hear that you should use 2 cups of water per cup of rice. But I find my rice is fluffier when I use 1 3/4 cups water per cup of rice.
Different types of rice (brown, Basmati, short/long grain, etc.) may require different ratios of water. Don’t forget to add about a teaspoon of salt to the water before you add the rice.
Cooking time: Let your rice simmer on low for about 18 minutes, then remove from heat and allow the rice to steam in the pot for another 5 minutes. Do not uncover (or stir) your rice during cooking.
Serving: When your rice is done, fluff it with a fork to separate the grains, rather than stirring it with a spoon.
Here’s what you’ll need to make Pork Ginger Rice Bowls
- Produce: green onions, fresh ginger, garlic, cucumber, carrots, fresh herbs, limes, etc. for toppings
- Vegetable oil
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Spices: red pepper flakes, salt and pepper
- Ground pork
- Peanut sauce and chopped peanuts, for garnish
Pork Ginger Rice Bowls
Ingredients
- 2 cups rice
- 6 green onions chopped
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1-2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings
- Diced cucumber
- Shredded carrots
- Other diced veggies
- Chopped fresh herbs
- Chopped peanuts
- Peanut sauce
- Sriracha sauce
- Lime wedges
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cook rice according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, make the pork by whisking the green onions, soy sauce, brown sugar and red pepper flakes together in a small bowl.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ginger and garlic and cook until fragrant, about one minute.
- Stir in the pork and cook, breaking up the meat as you go, until pork is cooked through. Stir in the soy sauce mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes more, until liquid is slightly reduced. Stir in sweet chili sauce and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve rice in bowls, topped with pork mixture and any optional toppings.
Video
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Nutrition
Never miss a Let’s Dish Recipe:
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter
If you love this recipe, you might also like:
More Delicious Pork Recipes
Slow Cooker Pork Chili Verde
Tender pork, slow cooked in a spicy chili verde sauce. Delicious on it's own, or served with warm tortillas and a dollop of sour cream.
Sweet and Spicy Pork and Asparagus
Ground pork and fresh asparagus are sauteed in a sweet and spicy Asian sauce, then served over rice in this unique and delicious dish.
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pulled Pork
Slow cooked pulled pork in a sweet and tangy pineapple, brown sugar and soy sauce glaze.
Slow Cooker Korean Pork BBQ Tacos
Pork is slow cooked until tender, then shredded and served in tortillas with a sweet and spicy sauce and simple cabbage slaw in these unique and delicious tacos.
Balsamic Barbecue Pulled Pork Fries
Crispy French fries are topped with slow cooked pork in balsamic barbecue sauce, then topped with cheddar cheese and green onions in this food truck style fare.
Honey Paprika Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is seared then roasted to perfection and topped with a sweet and savory sauce made with garlic, honey, paprika and chicken broth.
Tacos al Pastor
Thinly sliced pork is marinated in a mixture of Mexican seasonings, peppers and pineapple juice, then grilled and served in warm tortillas with cilantro and fresh pineapple.
Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork Tacos
Pork roast is slow-cooked in a blend of herbs and spices, then shredded and tossed in a spicy tangy sauce and served in warm tortillas.
Who Dished It Up First: Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens
