Pan-Seared Korean Spicy Pork Belly Stir Fry

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

Tender pork belly slices stir-fried in a spicy, sweet, and savory Korean-inspired sauce with crunchy vegetables and sesame seeds. This Korean-inspired stir-fry recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs pork belly slices, 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 650 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: 15 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp grated ginger until smooth; set the spicy sauce aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork belly and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the fat renders and the edges become crispy.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 medium julienned carrot and 1 medium thinly sliced red bell pepper to the skillet and stir-fry for 3 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
  4. Step 4: Pour the prepared sauce over the pork and vegetables, stir well to coat everything evenly. Cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the ingredients.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 chopped scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds on top. Season with 1/2 tsp black pepper and serve immediately with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Korean Spicy Pork Belly Stir Fry take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Spicy Pork Belly Stir Fry?

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 pork belly slices from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Korean Spicy Pork Belly Stir Fry?

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 Spicy Pork Belly Stir Fry 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 Spicy Pork Belly Stir Fry?

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.

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