Korean-Style Spicy Pork Stir Fry with Sesame Seeds

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

Tender pork slices stir-fried in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and green onions. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 27 minutes pairs thinly sliced pork shoulder, 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: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, mix 2 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger until a smooth sauce forms.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until the pork starts to brown.
  3. Step 3: Pour the prepared gochujang sauce over the pork and stir well to coat. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and glazes the pork.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat, season with 1/4 tsp black pepper, and garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Korean-Style Spicy Pork Stir Fry with Sesame Seeds take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 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 Sesame Seeds?

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 thinly sliced pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Korean-Style Spicy Pork Stir Fry with Sesame Seeds?

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 Sesame Seeds 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 Sesame Seeds?

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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