Korean-Inspired Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Gochujang Glaze

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

Tender pork belly slow-braised in a savory soy and gochujang sauce, finished with a caramelized glaze for bold Korean regional flavor. This Korean-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 145 minutes, pairs pork belly, soy sauce, gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 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: 130 min Serves 6 Korean cuisine 510 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Brown 2 lbs scored pork belly on all sides for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 cup water.
  3. Step 3: Pour the sauce mixture over the browned pork belly in the skillet. Bring to a simmer, then cover with foil and transfer to the oven.
  4. Step 4: Braise the pork belly for 2 hours, basting occasionally with the sauce, until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened.
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and carefully transfer pork belly to a cutting board. Increase oven temperature to 425°F.
  6. Step 6: Brush the pork belly with additional sauce from the pan and return to oven uncovered for 10 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
  7. Step 7: Slice the pork belly into pieces and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Korean-Inspired Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Gochujang Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 145 minutes (15 min prep + 130 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 Korean-Inspired Braised Pork Belly with Soy and 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 pork belly from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Korean-Inspired Braised Pork Belly with Soy and 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 Korean-Inspired Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Gochujang Glaze 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 Korean-Inspired Braised Pork Belly with Soy and 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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