Grilled Korean-Style Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps with Gochujang Sauce
Thin slices of marinated pork belly grilled to perfection, served with crisp lettuce leaves and a spicy-sweet gochujang dipping sauce. This Korean-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs pork belly slices, about 1/4-inch thick, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 pork belly slices, about 1/4-inch thick
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 12 large leaves green leaf lettuce leaves
- 1/2 cup julienned cucumber
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger. Add 1 lb pork belly slices and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the pork belly slices for 3-4 minutes per side until crisp and caramelized.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp honey until smooth to make the dipping sauce.
- Step 4: To serve, place grilled pork belly slices on 12 green leaf lettuce leaves. Top each with 1 tbsp julienned cucumber, 1 tbsp thinly sliced scallions, and a sprinkle of 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Serve with gochujang sauce on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Korean-Style Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps with Gochujang Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (35 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-Style Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps with Gochujang Sauce?
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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Korean-Style Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps with Gochujang Sauce?
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-Style Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps with Gochujang Sauce 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-Style Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps with Gochujang Sauce?
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.
