Korean-Style Spicy Pork Lettuce Wraps with Gochujang

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork marinated in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce, served in crisp lettuce leaves for a fresh and flavorful bite. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 37 minutes pairs ground pork, 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 350 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: 25 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb ground pork with 3 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, and 1 tbsp sesame oil. Mix well and marinate for 20 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the marinated pork mixture. Cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula, until the pork is cooked through and slightly caramelized.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 thinly sliced green onions and cook for 1 more minute to combine flavors.
  4. Step 4: To serve, spoon the spicy pork mixture into 8 large romaine lettuce leaves, then top with 1 medium julienned carrot and 1 small thinly sliced cucumber.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the wraps and serve immediately for fresh, hand-held wraps.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Korean-Style Spicy Pork Lettuce Wraps with Gochujang take to make?

Total time is about 37 minutes (25 min prep + 12 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 Pork Lettuce Wraps with Gochujang?

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 ground pork from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Korean-Style Spicy Pork Lettuce Wraps with Gochujang?

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 Pork Lettuce Wraps with Gochujang 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 Pork Lettuce Wraps with Gochujang?

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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