Ugh, weeknights. We’ve all been there, right? The clock is ticking, kids are hungry, and the last thing you want to do is spend an hour in the kitchen. I totally get it! It was during one of those super frantic evenings, juggling work and trying to get a decent meal on the table, that I discovered the magic of truly fast cooking. I just threw some bits and pieces together, and *bam*—dinner was done in less than 20 minutes, and my family actually loved it! That little moment sparked my whole passion for making speedy, seriously yummy dinners. So, if you’re hunting for some awesome Dinner Ideas in 20 Minutes (Weeknight Win), you’ve come to the right place! I’m Mark Williams, your Keto Performance Chef, and I’m here to make your weeknights delicious and ridiculously easy.
Why You’ll Love This 20-Minute Pork and Slaw Skillet
Seriously, this dish is a lifesaver. If you’re looking for those perfect Dinner Ideas in 20 Minutes (Weeknight Win), this one checks all the boxes:
- Super Speedy: We’re talking dinner on the table in 20 minutes, from start to finish. No joke!
- Crazy Easy: It’s all cooked in one pan, meaning less cleanup and less stress. Just chop, sauté, and serve!
- Packed with Flavor: The savory pork, fresh crunch of the slaw, and that little zing from the soy and ginger? Chef’s kiss!
- Family-Approved: Even picky eaters usually dig this one. It’s hearty, tasty, and just plain good.
Gather Your Ingredients for This Quick Pork Dinner
Okay, let’s get our game faces on! To make this 20-minute pork and slaw skillet a total weeknight win, you’ll want to have everything prepped and ready to go. Trust me, having everything measured out makes the cooking part flow like a dream. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive or Vegetable Oil: 1 to 2 tablespoons. If you’re using ground turkey, go with the full 2 tablespoons.
- Ground Pork: 1 pound. Lean ground beef or even ground turkey works great too!
- Yellow Onion: 1 medium, diced (about 1 1/2 cups). This adds a lovely sweetness.
- Kosher Salt: 1 1/2 teaspoons, divided. And, you know, more to taste later!
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To your liking.
- Garlic: 3 cloves, all minced up.
- Fresh Ginger: 1 tablespoon, minced (from about a 1-inch piece of ginger).
- Coleslaw Mix: 1 (14-ounce) bag – that’s about 6 1/2 cups. The pre-shredded stuff is a total time saver here!
- Soy Sauce or Tamari: 2 tablespoons. Use tamari if you need it gluten-free.
- Scallions: 2 medium, thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup). These are for finishing and add such a fresh bite.
- Rice Vinegar: 2 teaspoons. Just a touch for brightness.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: 1 teaspoon. This stuff is pure magic for flavor!
- Optional Sriracha, Chili Crisp, or Asian Sweet Chile Sauce: For serving, if you like a little heat or extra sweetness.
Effortless Steps for Dinner Ideas in 20 Minutes (Weeknight Win)
Alright, let’s get this magic happening! This is where that ‘weeknight win’ really comes to life. Follow these super simple steps, and you’ll have a delicious meal on the table before you know it. Honestly, the hardest part is chopping the onion! If you love one-pan wonders like this, you should also check out our One-Pot Turkey Taco Skillet recipe.
Step 1: Sauté Pork and Aromatics
First things first, get that wok or a nice big frying pan hot over medium-high heat. Add about a tablespoon of olive oil (use two if you’re going with the turkey, it needs a little extra help!). Toss in your pound of ground pork and that all-important diced onion. Sprinkle on about a teaspoon of salt and a good grind of black pepper. Now, get in there with your wooden spoon and just break up that meat into little crumbles. Let it all cook, stirring now and then, until the pork is nicely browned and the onion is starting to look tender. This should take about 8 minutes, give or take.
Step 2: Add Garlic and Ginger
Okay, quick flavor boost coming up! Now toss in your minced garlic and that lovely minced ginger. Stir them around for just about 30 seconds. You want to cook them until they smell amazing – that tells you they’re releasing all their yummy flavor. Don’t let them burn, though!
Step 3: Incorporate Coleslaw and Sauce
Here comes the speedy veggie part! Dump in that whole bag of coleslaw mix and the soy sauce (or tamari!). Add the rest of your salt, which was about half a teaspoon. Give it all a good stir. You’re just going to cook this for another 2 to 3 minutes, just until the coleslaw starts to look a little wilted but still has a nice crunch. We don’t want mushy cabbage here!
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Almost there! Take the pan off the heat. Stir in those fresh sliced scallions, the rice vinegar for a little brightness, and that teaspoon of toasted sesame oil. Give everything a final taste. Does it need a little more salt? A bit more pepper? Adjust it until it’s perfect for you. And if you’re feeling it, drizzle on some Sriracha, chili crisp, or sweet chile sauce. Serve it up hot and enjoy your amazing Dinner Ideas in 20 Minutes (Weeknight Win)!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Dinner Ideas
You know, the beauty of this recipe is that it’s super forgiving! It’s one of those brilliant Dinner Ideas in 20 Minutes (Weeknight Win) that you can tweak a little based on what you’ve got. That pound of ground pork? Totally swap it out for lean ground beef or even ground chicken if that’s what’s in your fridge. I’ve made it with turkey before, and it was fantastic – just be sure to use that extra tablespoon of oil like the recipe says! And the coleslaw mix? While it’s perfect for that crunch, you could honestly use any pre-shredded veggie mix. This flexibility is key for those busy nights. If you’re a fan of ground turkey recipes, our Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers are also a winner.
Tips for Success with Weeknight Dinners
Making this dish a total “weeknight win” is super easy if you keep a couple of things in mind. First off, I really, really recommend having everything chopped and measured before you even turn on the stove. It makes that 20-minute timeframe totally doable! Also, don’t be afraid to taste as you go, especially at the end. A little extra soy sauce or a splash more rice vinegar can really make it sing. It’s all about those little tweaks to make it your own!
Serving Suggestions for Your 20-Minute Meal
This 20-Minute Pork and Slaw Skillet is fantastic all on its own, but sometimes you want to round out the meal a bit, right? For a super quick addition, serve it up with some fluffy steamed rice – it’s perfect for soaking up all those delicious flavors. Or, if you’re feeling a little extra, maybe whip up some Garlic Chili Shrimp with Jasmine Rice if you have a *few* extra minutes! Honestly though, this skillet meal is so complete, you can just dive right in and call it good.
Frequently Asked Questions about Quick Dinner Ideas
Got questions about whipping up this speedy skillet meal? I’ve got you covered! These easy weeknight dinners are designed to be super flexible, so let’s dive into some common queries.
Can I use ground chicken or turkey instead of pork?
Absolutely! As I mentioned in the ingredient notes, ground chicken or turkey works wonderfully. Just remember to use that full 2 tablespoons of oil when you start because they can sometimes be a bit leaner than pork.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
If you like a little heat, this is an easy fix! Just add more of your favorite hot sauce like Sriracha, a dollop of chili crisp, or even some red pepper flakes along with the garlic and ginger. The serving suggestion of Asian sweet chile sauce also adds a nice kick!
Is this recipe budget-friendly?
Oh, for sure! This is definitely one of those budget-friendly meals. The ingredients are pretty standard pantry staples or easy to find at any grocery store. Plus, using ground meat and a bag of coleslaw mix keeps the costs down, making it a fantastic option for feeding the family without breaking the bank.
Nutritional Information Estimate
Just a friendly heads-up, the nutritional info for this tasty skillet is always an estimate! It can totally change depending on the exact brands you use and if you add any optional sauces. But generally, you’re looking at roughly (per serving): Calories: 350-450, Fat: 20-30g, Protein: 25-30g, Carbohydrates: 15-20g. Pretty good for a super quick meal, right?
Share Your Weeknight Dinners!
I really hope you give this 20-Minute Pork and Slaw Skillet a try! It’s such a lifesaver on busy nights. If you do make it, I’d absolutely love to know how it turned out for you! Drop a comment below, maybe give it a star rating if you’re feeling generous, or even better, share a pic on social media and tag me! Seeing your kitchen creations is the best part of what I do. For more easy recipes, you can always check out our full recipe collection. Happy cooking! And a big thank you to amazing recipe developers like Kelli Foster for inspiring us all!
20-Minute Pork and Slaw Skillet
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil (use 2 tablespoons if using ground turkey) in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound pork and 1 diced medium yellow onion, and season with 1 teaspoon of the kosher salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until the meat is cooked through and the onion is tender, about 8 minutes.
- Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon minced peeled ginger. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in 1 (14-ounce) bag coleslaw mix, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the coleslaw is crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in 2 thinly sliced medium scallions, 2 teaspoons rice vinegar, and 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil. Taste and season with more kosher salt and black pepper as needed. Serve drizzled with sauce of choice if desired.
