Thai Garlic Pork (Moo Gratiem) Recipe – Thai Fried Garlic Pork
If you love Thai street food flavors, then you’re going to fall in love with this Thai Garlic Pork Moo Gratiem recipe. It’s one of those recipes that looks simple, but the taste is bold, garlicky, slightly sweet, and incredibly satisfying.
In Thailand, Moo Gratiem is a classic everyday meal—quick to cook, packed with flavor, and usually served with hot steamed rice and a crispy fried egg on top. The best part? You don’t need any fancy ingredients or complicated cooking steps.
This Thai garlic pork is perfect for lunch, dinner, or even meal prep because it cooks in just 15–20 minutes and tastes like a restaurant dish when done right.
Let’s make it step-by-step the CookWithBisht way 😄🍚🧄🔥
Quick Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: 20–25 minutes
- Servings: 2–3
- Difficulty: Easy
What is Moo Gratiem?
Moo means pork in Thai, and Gratiem means garlic.
So Moo Gratiem literally translates to Thai garlic pork.
This dish is known for:
✅ strong garlic aroma
✅ tender pork bites
✅ a savory-sweet sauce
✅ crispy fried garlic topping (optional but highly recommended)
✅ quick stir-fry cooking method
It’s one of the simplest Thai stir-fry recipes but it delivers amazing flavor.
Ingredients for Thai Garlic Pork Moo Gratiem
For the Pork Stir Fry
- 300g pork (thinly sliced OR bite-size pieces)
✅ pork shoulder or pork belly works best - 1 tbsp oil (for stir-fry)
Garlic (Main Star)
- 10–12 garlic cloves (finely chopped or crushed)
✅ You can use more if you’re a garlic lover
Sauce Ingredients
- 1½ tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
✅ optional (adds deep umami flavor) - 1 tbsp fish sauce (optional but authentic)
- 1 tbsp sugar (brown sugar works best)
- 2 tbsp water (to loosen the sauce)
- ½ tsp black pepper (Thai-style uses more pepper)
Optional Add-ons (For More Thai Flavor)
- 1 tsp cornstarch (for slightly glossy sauce)
- ½ tsp chili flakes (if you want spice)
- 1 tbsp chopped coriander (for garnish)
Tools You’ll Need
- Wok or frying pan
- Knife + chopping board
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
Step-by-Step Thai Garlic Pork (Moo Gratiem) Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Pork
- Wash and pat dry the pork (if needed).
- Slice it thin or cut into small pieces.
✅ Tip:
Thin slices cook faster and absorb the sauce better.
Step 2: Make the Quick Thai Sauce
In a bowl, mix:
- soy sauce
- oyster sauce
- fish sauce (optional)
- sugar
- water
- black pepper
Mix well until sugar dissolves.
✅ Taste check:
It should taste salty + slightly sweet with a peppery kick.
Step 3: Fry the Garlic (Important for Flavor)
- Heat oil in a pan on medium flame.
- Add chopped/crushed garlic.
- Fry for 30–45 seconds until light golden.
⚠️ Don’t burn garlic—burnt garlic becomes bitter fast.
✅ Pro tip:
If you want restaurant-style crispy garlic, fry garlic separately and keep it aside, then use that garlic-flavored oil for cooking pork.
Step 4: Stir Fry the Pork
- Add pork into the pan with garlic.
- Stir fry for 3–4 minutes until it changes color and starts cooking evenly.
✅ Keep flame medium-high for best stir-fry texture.
Step 5: Add the Sauce and Cook
- Pour the prepared sauce into the pan.
- Stir well so all pork pieces are coated.
- Cook for 3–5 minutes until pork is fully cooked and sauce thickens slightly.
✅ If you want thicker sauce:
Mix 1 tsp cornstarch in 2 tbsp water and add it in the last minute.
Step 6: Final Taste & Finish
Taste the dish and adjust:
- more soy sauce for salt
- more sugar for sweetness
- more pepper for Thai punch
Turn off the flame and your Thai Garlic Pork Moo Gratiem is ready.
How to Serve Moo Gratiem (Best Thai Style)
This dish becomes next-level when served Thai-style:
✅ Hot steamed rice
✅ Thai garlic pork on top
✅ Fried egg (crispy edges, runny yolk)
✅ Cucumber slices on the side
✅ A squeeze of lime (optional)
The combination of salty garlic pork + soft rice + egg yolk is seriously addictive.
Tips to Make the BEST Thai Garlic Pork
✅ Use lots of garlic (this is a garlic dish, don’t be shy)
✅ Fry garlic carefully (golden, not burnt)
✅ Don’t overcook pork (it becomes dry)
✅ Balance sweet + salty (Thai food is all about balance)
✅ Add black pepper for authentic Moo Gratiem taste
✅ Use pork shoulder for tenderness
Moo Gratiem Variations (Easy Options)
1) Thai Garlic Chicken (Gai Gratiem)
Replace pork with chicken pieces—same recipe, same sauce.
2) Thai Garlic Shrimp
Use prawns/shrimp and cook only 2–3 minutes.
3) Thai Garlic Tofu (Vegetarian)
Use tofu cubes + soy sauce + mushroom sauce instead of fish/oyster sauce.
4) Spicy Moo Gratiem
Add chili flakes or chopped Thai chilies for heat.
5) Moo Gratiem with Vegetables
Add:
- bell peppers
- beans
- onions
- broccoli
This makes it more filling and balanced.
What Pork Cut is Best for Moo Gratiem?
✅ Best choices:
- Pork shoulder (tender + juicy)
- Pork belly (rich + flavorful)
- Pork loin (lean, but can get dry if overcooked)
If you want that street-style juicy pork, go for pork shoulder.
Storage & Shelf Life
✅ Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for 2 days
✅ Reheating:
Reheat in a pan with a splash of water to keep it juicy.
⚠️ Avoid reheating too much, pork can become chewy.
✅ Meal Prep Tip:
Cook rice fresh and store pork separately for best taste.
Nutrition (Approx Per Serving)
(Values can vary based on pork cut used)
- Calories: 320–450 kcal
- Protein: 20–28g
- Fat: 18–30g
- Carbs: 10–18g
✅ Using pork belly increases calories, using pork loin reduces it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Burning garlic (ruins flavor instantly)
❌ Adding too much sauce water (makes it watery)
❌ Overcooking pork (dry and tough)
❌ Skipping sugar completely (Thai balance becomes flat)
❌ Cooking on very low flame (won’t get stir-fry taste)
Conclusion
This Thai Garlic Pork Moo Gratiem is one of the easiest and most delicious Thai meals you can make at home. It’s quick, bold, and perfect with steamed rice. The garlic and pepper flavor makes it taste like proper Thai street food—without needing complicated ingredients.
If you want a simple Thai dinner idea that feels comforting and restaurant-style, try this recipe once and you’ll make it again for sure 🧄🔥🍚
