Instant Pot Korean-Inspired Spicy Pork Stew

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

A warming stew with tender pork shoulder cooked in an Instant Pot with gochujang and garlic, delivering bold Korean flavors in a popular format. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 65 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes pork shoulder, gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, 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: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 6 Korean cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Turn Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Add 2 lbs cubed pork shoulder and brown for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until edges are golden.
  2. Step 2: Add 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 1 sliced medium onion. Sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp gochujang, 1/4 cup soy sauce, and 2 tbsp brown sugar until pork is evenly coated. Pour in 1 1/2 cups water and scrape any browned bits from the pot bottom.
  4. Step 4: Seal the Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Allow natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
  5. Step 5: Open lid, stir stew, and garnish with 2 sliced scallions and 1 tbsp sesame seeds before serving over steamed rice or noodles.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Instant Pot Korean-Inspired Spicy Pork Stew take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Instant Pot Korean-Inspired Spicy Pork Stew?

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 Instant Pot Korean-Inspired Spicy Pork Stew?

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 Instant Pot Korean-Inspired Spicy Pork Stew for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Instant Pot Korean-Inspired Spicy Pork Stew?

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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