Heart-Healthy Spicy Ground Pork
Elevate your weeknight dinners with this Heart-Healthy Spicy Ground Pork recipe, a flavorful and nutritious dish that perfectly balances bold spices and wholesome ingredients. Featuring lean ground pork, vibrant baby spinach, and a medley of aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika, this quick and easy recipe offers a delightful smoky heat with hints of brightness from fresh lime juice. Prepared with heart-conscious choices like extra virgin olive oil and low-sodium soy sauce, this meal is rich in protein and bursting with flavor while being mindful of your health goals. Ready in just 35 minutes, this versatile dish pairs beautifully with brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a complete, balanced meal and can be garnished with green onions and sunflower seeds for added texture and nutrition. Perfect for spice lovers looking for a healthier twist on comfort food!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground pork (at least 90% lean)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced for garnish
- 2 tablespoons unsalted sunflower seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the extra virgin olive oil.
Once the oil is hot, add the finely diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet, stirring constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the lean ground pork to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break it up into small pieces. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pork is browned and fully cooked.
Stir in the low-sodium soy sauce, red chili flakes, ground cumin, ground coriander, and paprika. Mix well to evenly coat the pork with the spices.
Add the baby spinach to the skillet, one handful at a time, and cook for 2-3 minutes until it wilts down and incorporates into the dish.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the fresh lime juice for a burst of brightness.
Plate the pork mixture and garnish with sliced green onions and sunflower seeds, if desired.
Serve immediately as a standalone dish, or pair it with brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a complete heart-healthy meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1043 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 59.6 g | 76% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.0 g | 85% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 281 mg | 94% | |
| Sodium | 1328 mg | 58% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 32.5 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.6 g | 31% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.9 g | ||
| Protein | 101.5 g | 203% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 281 mg | 22% | |
| Iron | 10.9 mg | 61% | |
| Potassium | 1860 mg | 40% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
