If you’re looking for a quick and irresistible dinner that’s packed with flavor, these salt and pepper pork chops are going to be your new favorite. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and tossed with garlic, chilies, and scallions, this Chinese restaurant classic can be made in your own home in under 30 minutes.
Whether you’re making it for family dinner or just craving takeout flavors without the takeout wait, this recipe is a total winner.
What are Salt and Pepper Pork Chops?
Chinese salt and pepper pork chops are a popular Cantonese-inspired dish that you’ll often see in Chinese restaurants and takeout spots. The pork is tenderized, lightly marinated, coated in cornstarch, and fried until golden and crispy.
Then it’s tossed with aromatics like garlic, jalapeños, red chili, and scallions before being finished with a seasoning mix of salt, black pepper, and white pepper.
The result is a mouth-watering balance of savory, slightly spicy, and peppery flavors that make Chinese salt and pepper pork completely addictive.
Why You’ll Love Salt and Pepper Pork Chops
- Quick and easy recipe: This dish is ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Irresistible flavor: The crispy pork is coated in a fragrant mix of garlic, chilies, scallions, and pepper.
- Crispy yet juicy texture: Thanks to air frying (or deep frying), the pork stays crunchy on the outside and tender inside.
- Family favorite: It’s a comforting dish that the whole family will love with rice and veggies!
- Versatile dish: You can serve it as a main, a side, regardless it is so satisfying to eat.
Ingredients
- Pork Chops: Boneless pork chops are perfect because they’re easy to slice and cook quickly.
- Salt and Black Pepper: The foundation of the classic salt and pepper flavor.
- White Pepper: Adds a slightly sharp, earthy heat that balances the seasoning.
- Baking Soda: Helps tenderize the pork so it stays juicy.
- Soy Sauce: Adds umami and depth of flavor to the marinade.
- Shaoxing Wine: Optional, but enhances the authentic Chinese flavor.
- Egg: Helps the cornstarch stick to the pork for a crisp crust.
- Cornstarch: The key to that crunchy, golden coating.
- Oil Spray: Keeps the pork crispy while air frying without using too much oil.
- Jalapeño & Red Chili: Add heat and fragrance to the stir-fry.
- Green Onion: Brings freshness and a mild onion flavor.
- Garlic: Essential for bold, savory flavor.
- Seasoning Mix (Salt, White Pepper, Black Pepper, Sugar): Creates the signature balance of salty, peppery, and slightly sweet notes.
Customizations
- Different cuts of protein: Try this recipe with pork shoulder or butt, which can also be very tender to use.
- Vegetable boost: Add bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli to the stir-fry for extra crunch.
- Spice control: Adjust the amount of jalapeño and red chili based on your heat preference.
How to Make Salt and Pepper Pork Chops
Prepare the Pork
Using the back of a knife, lightly tenderize the pork chops. Slice into strips about 2 inches long and ½ inch thick.
Marinate
In a mixing bowl, combine the pork strips with salt, black pepper, white pepper, baking soda, soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine (if using).
Mix well and let marinate for 15 minutes. Add the beaten egg and stir until evenly coated.
Coat with Cornstarch
Spread the cornstarch onto a large plate. Dredge each piece of pork in the cornstarch, pressing firmly to ensure an even coating. Shake off any excess.
Fry the Pork
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the pork in a single layer in the basket without overcrowding. Spray generously with oil, flip, and spray the other side. Air fry for 9–11 minutes until golden and crisp. Transfer to a wire rack. Cook in batches if needed.
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can deep fry the pork strips in 350°F hot oil for 3–5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Stir-Fry with Aromatics
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add the jalapeño, red chili, green onion, and garlic. Stir-fry until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the crispy pork strips and toss quickly to combine. Sprinkle in the seasoning mixture a little at a time while tossing to coat evenly, about 30 seconds.
Serve and Enjoy
Transfer to a serving plate and enjoy hot with rice and vegetables.
Storage
Store salt and pepper pork chops in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to bring back the crispiness.
Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: Cooking in batches helps the salt and pepper pork chops get extra crispy.
- Toss seasoning gradually: Adding it a little at a time ensures every piece is evenly coated. You can also easily adjust the seasoning to your taste this way.
- Rest before serving: Let the pork sit for a minute or two after air frying so the coating stays crisp.
Other Pork Recipes You’ll Love
Salt and Pepper Pork Chops - Chinese Style!
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Pork Chops
- 1 pound pork chops boneless
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon shaoxing wine optional
- 1 egg beaten
- ¾ cup cornstarch
- Oil spray
For the Stir-Fry
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 jalapeño chopped
- 1 red chili chopped
- 2 green onions chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Salt and Pepper Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Using the back of a knife, lightly tenderize the pork chops. Slice into strips about 2 inches long and ½ inch thick.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the pork strips with salt, black pepper, white pepper, baking soda, soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine (if using). Mix well and let marinate for 15 minutes. Add the beaten egg and stir until evenly coated.
- Spread the cornstarch onto a large plate. Dredge each piece of pork in the cornstarch, pressing firmly to ensure an even coating. Shake off excess.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the pork in a single layer in the basket without overcrowding. Spray generously with oil, flip, and spray the other side. Air fry for 9–11 minutes until golden and crisp. Transfer to a wire rack. Cook in batches if needed.If you don't have an air fryer, you can also deep-fry the pork strips. See cooking notes below.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add the jalapeño, red chili, green onion, and garlic. Stir-fry until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the crispy pork strips and toss quickly to combine. Sprinkle in the seasoning mixture a little at a time while tossing to coat evenly, about 30 seconds.
- Transfer to a serving plate and enjoy hot with rice and vegetables.
Monnie says
Made this for dinner tonight!
Absolutely delicious!!! Thanks for a fabulous recipe. Will be doing this over and over again!
Herman says
Thank you for trying my recipe and so glad you enjoyed it!
Nye says
So addictive, definitely adding this to the rotation. I'm not even the biggest pork chop fan but I love this way of cooking them now 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!
Herman says
thank you so much and so glad you enjoyed it!