Thai Garlic Pork Recipe (Moo Gratiem)
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This Thai garlic pork recipe (moo gratiem) is one of the most popular street food dishes in Thailand and is perfect for nights when you need a quick dinner with rice. Pork is stir-fried in a savory garlic sauce with lots of pepper, and the whole dish comes together in just 15 minutes.
What is moo gratiem?
Moo gratiem is a Thai garlic pepper stir-fry made with pork, garlic, black pepper, and a savory sauce. The flavor is rich, garlicky, savory, and slightly peppery without being overly spicy, which is one reason it’s so popular with both kids and adults in Thailand.
It’s usually served as a quick meal with jasmine rice, a fried egg, fresh cucumber slices, or a simple dipping sauce on the side. You can also make it with garlic pepper chicken, beef, shrimp, squid, or tofu.
Before you start
This was one of the most popular stir-fries at my Thai restaurant, especially with customers who wanted something flavorful without a lot of chili heat.
The key to good stir-fried pork with garlic is cooking everything quickly over fairly high heat. And make sure your pan isn’t too full, cook in batches if needed.
The pork should stay juicy, the garlic should turn lightly golden, and the sauce should coat the rice beautifully.
Don’t forget to top the dish with fried garlic. It adds extra crunch and makes the dish taste much more like the versions served at Thai street food stalls.
Praew ♡
Learn Thai cooking step by step
My cookbook is a combination of authentic Thai recipes and Western dishes cooked with Thai flavors and ingredients. It’s a great starting point if you’re new to Thai cooking or want to cook it more often.
Ingredient notes & substitutes
You can find everything at Asian grocery stores or markets. Head to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- Pork: Thin slices of pork shoulder, loin, or tenderloin work best for quick stir-frying. A little fat gives the best flavor.
- Garlic: Use plenty of fresh garlic.
- Black pepper: Freshly crushed black peppercorns give the strongest flavor. White pepper also works for a slightly milder taste.
- Coriander root: One of those ingredients that makes Thai stir-fries smell amazing. If unavailable, use coriander stems instead.
- Oyster sauce: Adds deep savory flavor and helps coat the pork.
- Light soy sauce: Adds saltiness without making the stir-fry sauce too heavy.
- Dark soy sauce: Gives the pork its darker color and a subtle sweetness.
- Rosdee seasoning powder: Adds extra savory flavor. Golden mountain sauce is a good substitute.
Don’t skip the crispy garlic: Crispy fried garlic on top adds so much extra flavor and crunch. It’s one of the little details that make this dish taste restaurant-style.
How to make Thai garlic pork
1: Fry the garlic and pepper. Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, coriander root, and black pepper. Stir-fry for about 20 seconds until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
2: Cook the pork. Add the sliced pork and stir-fry until it’s almost fully cooked, about 2–3 minutes depending on how thinly it’s sliced.
3: Add the sauce. Add oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, seasoning powder, and sugar. Stir-fry until the pork is fully cooked and nicely coated in the sauce.
4: Serve. Serve your Thai garlic pork with rice and top with crispy fried garlic. Add some sriracha sauce if you like spice. Enjoy!
How to store & reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm the pork in a pan over medium heat until hot. Add a splash of water if the sauce looks too dry. The microwave also works for quick lunches.
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Thai Garlic Pepper Pork Recipe (Moo Gratiem)
Equipment
- Wok or large skillet
- spatula
- Sharp knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 coriander root, finely chopped
- black pepper, add to taste
- 8 oz pork, sliced thinly
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- ½ tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp rosdee seasoning powder
- ½ tbsp white sugar
Instructions
- Heat oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, coriander root, and black pepper. Stir-fry until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Add the sliced pork and stir-fry until almost fully cooked.
- Add oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, seasoning powder, and sugar. Stir-fry until the pork is fully cooked and coated in the sauce.
- Serve with jasmine rice and top with crispy fried garlic if desired.
Notes
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.