Pan-Seared Korean Spicy Pork with Sesame Scallion Salad

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

Tender pork slices pan-seared in a spicy Korean marinade served alongside a fresh sesame scallion salad for a perfect balance of heat and freshness. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 33 minutes pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, 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: 25 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 2 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder in this marinade and let sit for 20 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork slices in a single layer, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side until caramelized and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: While pork cooks, toss 1 cup scallion pieces with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 1 tbsp rice vinegar in a bowl to create a bright, crunchy salad.
  4. Step 4: Plate the spicy pork topped with the sesame scallion salad to contrast the heat with fresh, nutty flavors.

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 Spicy Pork with Sesame Scallion Salad take to make?

Total time is about 33 minutes (25 min prep + 8 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 with Sesame Scallion Salad?

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 shoulder, thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Korean Spicy Pork with Sesame Scallion Salad?

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 with Sesame Scallion Salad 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 with Sesame Scallion Salad?

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