Pan-Seared Korean Gochujang Glazed Pork Chops

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

Juicy pork chops glazed with a spicy-sweet Korean gochujang sauce, pan-seared to develop a caramelized crust and served with a fresh cucumber salad. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) bone-in pork chops, 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 370 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: 15 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 370 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons gochujang, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 2 minced garlic cloves to make the glaze. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat dry 4 bone-in pork chops and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Sear pork chops for 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low, brush each pork chop generously with the gochujang glaze, and cook for an additional 2 minutes per side until the glaze is sticky and caramelized.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, toss 1 thinly sliced medium cucumber with 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Serve the glazed pork chops topped with 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds alongside the cucumber salad.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Korean Gochujang Glazed Pork Chops take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Pan-Seared Korean Gochujang Glazed Pork Chops?

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 Pan-Seared Korean Gochujang Glazed Pork Chops?

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 Pan-Seared Korean Gochujang Glazed Pork Chops 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 Pan-Seared Korean Gochujang Glazed Pork Chops?

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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