Pan-Seared Korean-Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Gochujang Glaze

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

Juicy pork tenderloin medallions pan-seared and finished with a spicy-sweet gochujang glaze, complemented by a simple cucumber salad. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 3, 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 3 Korean cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 2 minced garlic cloves until smooth; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Season 1 lb pork tenderloin medallions with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Step 3: Add pork medallions and sear for 3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove pork and set aside on a warm plate.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium and pour the gochujang glaze into the skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes until thickened and bubbling.
  5. Step 5: Return pork medallions to the skillet and toss in the glaze for 1 minute to coat evenly.
  6. Step 6: Toss 1 medium thinly sliced cucumber with 1 sliced green onion and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds for a quick salad to serve alongside the pork.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Korean-Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Gochujang Glaze 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-Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Gochujang Glaze?

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-Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Gochujang Glaze?

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-Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Gochujang Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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-Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Gochujang Glaze?

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.

Related recipes