Grilled Korean-Style Pork Bulgogi with Sesame and Scallions

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

Thinly sliced pork marinated in a sweet-savory Korean bulgogi sauce, grilled to caramelized perfection and garnished with toasted sesame and scallions. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 20 minutes pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp grated ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until sugar dissolves. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder and 3 sliced green onions, tossing to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and brush with 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Grill the pork slices in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until caramelized and cooked through, with slightly charred edges.
  3. Step 3: Transfer grilled pork to a serving platter and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and additional sliced green onions on top. Serve hot with steamed rice or lettuce wraps.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Korean-Style Pork Bulgogi with Sesame and Scallions take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 Bulgogi with Sesame and Scallions?

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 shoulder, thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Korean-Style Pork Bulgogi with Sesame and Scallions?

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 Bulgogi with Sesame and Scallions 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 Bulgogi with Sesame and Scallions?

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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