Korean-Style Spicy Pork Stir Fry with Scallions and Sesame
A quick and flavorful Korean-inspired stir fry featuring tender pork slices tossed in a spicy, savory sauce and garnished with toasted sesame seeds and scallions. This korean-inspired stir fry ready in about 22 minutes pairs pound pork shoulder, thinly sliced, tablespoons vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 4 sliced into 2-inch pieces scallions
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon grated ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 pound thinly sliced pork shoulder to the pan, spreading it out and cooking undisturbed for 2 minutes to develop a slight sear. Then stir-fry for an additional 3-4 minutes until the pork is mostly cooked through.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons gochujang, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon rice vinegar. Pour this sauce over the pork and toss to coat evenly. Cook for 2 more minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pork.
- Step 4: Add 4 sliced scallions and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, stirring for 1 minute until scallions are just tender.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, and serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Korean-Style Spicy Pork Stir Fry with Scallions and Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 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 Stir Fry with Scallions and Sesame?
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 tablespoons vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Korean-Style Spicy Pork Stir Fry with Scallions and Sesame?
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 Stir Fry with Scallions and Sesame 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 Stir Fry with Scallions and Sesame?
Korean stir fry 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.