Korean-Style Spicy Braised Pork Belly with Scallions

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

Tender pork belly slowly braised in a spicy, sweet, and savory Korean sauce, garnished with fresh scallions for an irresistible depth of flavor. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 80 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes pork belly, 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 520 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: 70 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs pork belly cubes and sear for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until all sides are golden brown.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 tbsp gochujang, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 cup water, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the pot. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally until the pork is tender and the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
  5. Step 5: Remove the lid and increase heat to medium-high. Cook uncovered for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, to reduce the sauce further until it clings to the pork.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and drizzle 1 tbsp sesame oil over the pork. Garnish with 4 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving with steamed rice or lettuce wraps.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Korean-Style Spicy Braised Pork Belly with Scallions take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (10 min prep + 70 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 Spicy Braised Pork Belly with 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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Korean-Style Spicy Braised Pork Belly with 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 Korean-Style Spicy Braised Pork Belly with 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 Korean-Style Spicy Braised Pork Belly with 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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