Korean-Inspired Spicy Braised Pork Belly with Gochujang Glaze

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

Rich pork belly slowly braised in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce, delivering melt-in-your-mouth texture and bold Korean flavors. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 135 minutes pairs skin scored pork belly, vegetable oil, sliced ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 15 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs pork belly with skin scored and sear for 5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy; remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 tbsp sliced ginger and 5 smashed garlic cloves, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp gochujang, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 2 tbsp rice vinegar. Cook the sauce for 2 minutes, stirring constantly until it thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Return pork belly to the pot, pour in 1 cup water, and bring to a simmer.
  5. Step 5: Cover and reduce heat to low, braising the pork belly for 2 hours until tender and the sauce has thickened and glazed the meat.
  6. Step 6: Slice the pork belly and serve garnished with 3 thinly sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 135 minutes (15 min prep + 120 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 Spicy Braised Pork Belly with 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 skin scored pork belly from drying out.

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