Crispy Korean-Style Pork Belly with Gochujang Glaze
Succulent pork belly pan-fried until crispy and coated with a spicy-sweet gochujang glaze, served with a side of pickled vegetables. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs about 1/2-inch thick pork belly slices, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, about 1/2-inch thick pork belly slices
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, toasted sesame seeds
- 2 stalks, thinly sliced green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 1 lb pork belly slices evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking; add pork belly slices in a single layer and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Step 3: While pork cooks, whisk together 3 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl until smooth.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, pour the gochujang glaze over the crispy pork belly slices, and cook for 1-2 minutes, turning slices to coat evenly until the glaze thickens and becomes sticky.
- Step 5: Remove pork from heat, sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions on top, and serve immediately with pickled vegetables or steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Crispy Korean-Style Pork Belly with Gochujang Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Crispy Korean-Style Pork Belly with Gochujang Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Korean-Style Pork Belly with Gochujang Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Crispy Korean-Style Pork Belly with Gochujang Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Crispy Korean-Style Pork Belly with Gochujang Glaze?
Korean pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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