Crispy Pork Noodles with a Fresh Cucumber Salad

Crispy Pork Noodles with a Fresh Cucumber Salad

This is such a great weeknight meal!   Crispy fried pork is marinated and then pressed into the fry pan to create a crispy layer.  Then, as carefully as possible, you flip the pork like a pancake, so it can crisp up and cook on the other side.   You serve it with saucy, savoury noodles and a minty cucumber salad and the whole meal is the perfect substitute for your favourite takeout!

We used ramen noodles, but you can use any type of noodle in this dish. If you had spaghetti or linguine in your pantry, you could use those and I bet this dish would be delish!  

Easy Crispy Pork Noodles are going to be your new favourite dinner. Crazy simple. And beyond delicious. Not to mention easy on your pocketbook, which I think we can all appreciate these days.  This delicious meal-in-one whips up in less than 30 minutes.

Crispy Pork Noodles with Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:

2.5 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp mirin

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp sriracha 

1 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp rice wine vinegar 

2 tbsp hoisin

½ tbsp white sugar

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 tbsp olive oil

4 servings noodles of your choice (I used ramen)

1 lb ground pork

3 cloves garlic minced

3 green onions, sliced

3/4 - 1 whole cucumber diced

2 tbsp mint, minced

sesame seeds to garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Sprinkle ground pork generously with salt (about 1 tsp), and 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar. Take your hand and scrunch the meat to mix in the salt and vinegar. Set aside and let marinade while you prep your next 2 steps. Put a pot of water on to boil for your noodles.

2. To a medium bowl, add diced cucumber, 2 tbsp minced mint, 1/2 tbsp white sugar, 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar. Season to taste with salt. Mix well and set aside.

3. To a small bowl add 2 1/2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp mirin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp sriracha, 1 tbsp brown sugar and 1/4 cup warm water. Mix well and set aside.

4. Cook your noodles according to package directions.

5. Heat a large frying pan over medium high heat. Add 1 tbsp sesame oil and then immediately add the meat. Press the meat down so it's got as much surface area on the pan as possible and then leave it. DO NOT touch the meat here, this is how it will get that beautiful golden brown and crispy texture. After about 5-7 minutes, check a small piece of the meat. Once it's starting to get to a deep golden brown color, you can flip all the meat. Try and flip it like a pancake so you can brown the other side the same. 

6. Once you've flipped it and the other side has started to brown (another 2-3 minutes) add 2 tbsp hoisin sauce and mix well. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the large chunks or pork are well browned and you start to see super crispy bits. It may look dry here but trust the process.

7. Remove pork from pan and set aside.  

8. Return your empty frying pan back to medium heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add in 3 diced green onions and 3 cloves minced garlic. Cook for 30 seconds. Add sauce to pan and cook for 1 minute. Add prepared noodles and mix well. Cook 2-3 minutes or until noodles are warmed. Add pork back to the pan and mix it all up. 

9. Serve with the cucumber salad overtop.

I am such a sucker for a weeknight meal that comes together in a flash and is so full of flavour!    These Crispy Pork Noodles with a fresh Cucumber Salad is a shining example of all things quick and delicious.  Please share your comments if you make this recipe. I love to hear if you tried the recipe!