Grilled Korean Pork Belly with Garlic and Sesame

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Thin slices of pork belly grilled to perfection, seasoned with garlic and sesame for a flavorful Korean BBQ experience. This Korean recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs pork belly slices, minced garlic, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, mix 3 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to create marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 pound pork belly slices to the marinade and coat thoroughly. Let marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly brush with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
  4. Step 4: Grill marinated pork belly slices for about 3 minutes per side until edges are crisp and meat is cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Remove from grill and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds and 2 tablespoons chopped green onions for garnish. Serve hot with steamed rice or lettuce wraps.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Korean Pork Belly with Garlic and Sesame take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (25 min prep + 10 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 Grilled Korean Pork Belly with Garlic and Sesame?

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 pork belly slices from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Korean Pork Belly with Garlic and Sesame?

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 Grilled Korean Pork Belly with Garlic and Sesame 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 Grilled Korean Pork Belly with Garlic and Sesame?

Korean korean 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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