Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Gochujang Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork belly slowly braised in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce, perfect served over steamed rice or wrapped in lettuce. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 95 minutes pairs cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes pork belly, vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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: 20 min Cook: 75 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 650 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 cubed pork belly and brown on all sides for 8-10 minutes until golden and some fat renders.
  2. Step 2: Add 6 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger to the pot, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp gochujang, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 2 tbsp rice vinegar, coating the pork evenly.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup water, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally until pork is tender and sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Remove lid, increase heat to medium, and cook uncovered for 10 minutes to reduce sauce further until it glazes the pork.
  6. Step 6: Garnish with 3 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving warm with steamed rice or lettuce wraps.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 95 minutes (20 min prep + 75 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-Style 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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Korean-Style 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-Style 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-Style 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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