Description
This recipe features Easy Crispy Thai Pork Bites coated in a crunchy cornflour crust and tossed in a sticky, sweet chilli sauce with hints of lime and garlic. Perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner, these pork bites pair wonderfully with jasmine rice and fresh coriander for an authentic Thai taste experience.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pork Bites
- 600 g / 1.2 lb pork tenderloin, cut into 2cm (0.8″) cubes
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp cornflour / cornstarch
- Neutral flavored oil (canola, sunflower, vegetable, or peanut oil), 1 cup (0.5 cm / 0.2″ depth) for frying
For the Sticky Sweet Chilli Sauce
- 1/2 cup sweet chilli sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
To Serve
- Coriander/cilantro leaves, roughly torn (optional)
- Lime wedges (optional)
- Jasmine rice or other rice of choice
Instructions
- Prepare the Pork: In a mixing bowl, combine the cubed pork tenderloin with 1 tbsp fish sauce. Stir well to coat evenly and let marinate for about 5 minutes to infuse flavor.
- Coat the Pork: Add 1 1/2 tbsp cornflour to the marinated pork and toss thoroughly until all pieces are evenly coated with a light layer of cornflour. This will help create a crispy crust when fried.
- Heat the Oil: Pour 1 cup of neutral oil into a deep frying pan or wok with about 0.5 cm (0.2″) depth. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches around 180°C (350°F) or when a small piece of coating sizzles immediately.
- Fry the Pork Bites: Carefully add pork pieces to the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for approximately 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate small bowl, mix together the sweet chilli sauce, 1 1/2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and the finely grated garlic cloves until well combined.
- Toss Pork in Sauce: Place the fried pork bites in a large bowl and pour over the sticky sweet chilli sauce. Gently toss to coat each piece evenly with the sauce.
- Serve: Transfer the coated pork bites to a serving plate. Garnish with torn coriander/cilantro leaves and lime wedges if desired. Serve hot with jasmine rice or your preferred rice.
Notes
- Note 1: Use pork tenderloin for tender, juicy bites. Other pork cuts may be tougher.
- Note 2: Fish sauce is a key ingredient that adds authentic umami flavor typical of Thai cuisine.
- Note 3: Sweet chilli sauce provides the perfect balance of sweetness and heat, but you can adjust the amount to suit your taste.
- For best results, use neutral oil suitable for frying rather than olive oil, which has a lower smoke point.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying to ensure the pork crisps nicely instead of steaming.
