Ginger Honey Ground Pork

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Author: Sophia
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Ginger Honey Ground Pork is sweet, savory, and a little zesty, making it the ultimate 15-minute skillet dinner. Juicy pork soaks up honey, soy, and ginger for a flavor-packed bite that works for busy weeknights. Serve it with rice or scoop it into lettuce wraps for a quick meal that feels special every time.

Ground pork with rice, lime, and green onions in a white bowl

Why You’ll Love This Ginger Honey Ground Pork

Quick and easy weeknight dinner

You’ll love how quickly Ginger Honey Ground Pork comes together. With just one skillet, you’ll have dinner on the table in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for those nights when you want big flavor without a big mess. Plus, the cooking steps are simple and beginner-friendly, so anyone can pull this dish off.

Flavorful with simple pantry staples

The best part is that you don’t need fancy ingredients. Honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger transform humble ground pork into something bold and satisfying. The sesame oil adds nuttiness, while lime juice brightens everything. Every bite hits the sweet, savory, and slightly tangy notes you crave.

Perfect for meal prep and leftovers

This recipe reheats beautifully, which means it’s a smart choice for meal prep. Make a batch on Sunday and enjoy it throughout the week with rice, noodles, or even inside lettuce cups. The flavors deepen as it rests, so leftovers taste just as good, if not better.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Key ingredients for flavor

Start with ground pork, the base that holds all the flavor. Fresh ginger and garlic bring warmth and aroma, while sesame oil creates depth. Honey adds natural sweetness, and soy sauce ties everything together with umami. A squeeze of lime balances the richness with a citrusy kick.

Optional garnishes and add-ins

Garnish with sliced green onion tops and toasted sesame seeds for crunch. If you love spice, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha works wonders. Vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, or peas blend in seamlessly while boosting nutrition.

Substitution ideas for pork and seasonings

If pork isn’t your thing, swap in ground chicken, turkey, or even beef. For a different twist, use brown sugar instead of honey for deeper caramel notes. You can also adjust the saltiness by choosing regular or low-sodium soy sauce. Each variation still keeps the dish quick and delicious.

How to Make Ginger Honey Ground Pork (Step-by-Step)

Cook the aromatics

Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and the white parts of the green onions. Stir for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, making sure not to burn them.

Cast iron skillet with ginger, garlic, and green onions for ginger honey ground pork

Brown the ground pork

Add the ground pork and break it apart with a spatula. Cook for about 6–10 minutes until mostly browned, leaving just a little pink. Stir often so it cooks evenly and stays crumbly.

Ground pork browning in a cast iron skillet with wooden spoon

Add sauce and honey mixture

Season the pork with salt, then stir in soy sauce and honey. Let the flavors coat every piece of meat, creating a sticky glaze. The mixture should look glossy and slightly thick.

Soy sauce and honey added to browned ground pork in skillet

Crisp the pork for texture

Let the pork sit undisturbed in the skillet for about one minute. This step creates a crispy bottom layer that adds a nice contrast to the tender bits.

Finished ginger honey ground pork with sesame and green onion in skillet

Finish with lime and garnish

Remove from the heat and stir in lime juice. Sprinkle the green onion tops and sesame seeds on top before serving. Pair with hot rice or scoop into lettuce wraps for a lighter option.

Close-up of ginger honey ground pork on wooden spoon with sesame and scallions

Recipe Tips and Helpful Notes

Adjusting spice level

If you like a kick, add chili flakes or a spoonful of chili paste while cooking. For mild eaters, stick with the base recipe and let everyone add spice at the table.

Adding vegetables for nutrition

Toss in bell peppers, carrots, peas, or snow peas for color and crunch. Stir-fry them with the aromatics so they stay bright and tender-crisp. It’s an easy way to turn this into a balanced one-pan meal.

Protein swaps and variations

Ground chicken and turkey both soak up the sauce beautifully. Ground beef adds richness but may require draining excess fat. No matter the swap, the honey-ginger mix keeps the flavor balanced.

Serving ideas beyond rice

While rice is classic, you can serve this over noodles, quinoa, or even mashed potatoes for a fusion twist. It’s also fun tucked into lettuce leaves for handheld bites that are light yet filling.

Make Ahead, Storage, and Reheating

Storing in the refrigerator

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep the rice separate if you made it, so the grains don’t absorb too much moisture.

Freezing for later use

Cool the pork completely before freezing. Store in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2 months. Label with the date so you’ll remember to use it in time.

Best methods to reheat while keeping flavor

For best results, reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of oil until warmed through. The microwave works too, but stir halfway to keep the pork from drying out. Add a little soy sauce or lime juice to refresh the flavors.

Conclusion

Ginger Honey Ground Pork is the kind of recipe that saves dinner on busy nights. With just one skillet and a handful of pantry staples, you get a meal that’s sweet, savory, and a little zesty. It’s versatile enough for rice bowls, lettuce wraps, or meal prep lunches. Next time you need a quick dinner with big flavor, this recipe will be your go-to. For more ideas and inspiration, check out my kitchen board on Pinterest.

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Finished ginger honey ground pork with sesame and green onion in skillet

Ginger Honey Ground Pork


  • Author: Sophia
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Sweet, savory, and zesty Ginger Honey Ground Pork cooks in one skillet in minutes. Juicy, sticky, and bright with lime, it’s perfect over rice or tucked into lettuce cups.


Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon sesame oil

4 green onions, sliced, whites and dark green separated

3 tablespoons minced garlic

3 tablespoons grated ginger

2 pounds ground pork

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste

4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

5 tablespoons honey

Juice of 1 lime

4 cups cooked rice, optional, for serving

Toasted sesame seeds, optional, for garnish


Instructions

1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add grated ginger, garlic, and the white parts of the green onions. Cook 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.

2. Add ground pork. Cook 6 to 10 minutes, breaking it up, until about 80 percent done.

3. Stir in salt, soy sauce, and honey. Cook, stirring, until evenly combined and glossy.

4. Let the pork sit undisturbed for about 1 minute so the bottom crisps.

5. Remove from heat, add lime juice, and stir. Garnish with green onion tops and sesame seeds. Serve with rice or another side.

Notes

Add chili flakes, sriracha, or chili paste for heat.

Brown sugar can be added for a deeper sweetness.

Ground beef, chicken, or turkey can substitute pork.

Add vegetables such as carrots, peas, onions, bell peppers, or snow peas.

Works well served in lettuce cups.

Garlic is best peeled before grating.

Storage: refrigerate up to 4 days; freeze up to 2 months.

Reheat in a skillet with a little oil or in the microwave.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner Recipes
  • Method: Stovetop skillet
  • Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 738
  • Sugar: 22
  • Sodium: 999
  • Fat: 52
  • Saturated Fat: 18
  • Unsaturated Fat: 29
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 28
  • Fiber: 1
  • Protein: 41
  • Cholesterol: 163

Hi, I’m Clara

I’m the recipe creator behind HerCozyRecipes, where I share simple, comforting meals made for real life. From cozy breakfasts to hearty dinners and sweet treats, I love helping home cooks bring warmth, flavor, and joy to the table.

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