Pan-Seared Pork Belly with Korean Red Ginseng Glaze

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

Tender pork belly slices pan-seared to crispy perfection and glazed with a sweet and earthy Korean red ginseng sauce. This Korean recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs pork belly, Korean red ginseng extract, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb sliced pork belly in a single layer and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and edges are crispy.
  2. Step 2: While pork cooks, in a small bowl whisk together 2 tbsp Korean red ginseng extract, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 3 cloves minced garlic, and 1 tsp sesame oil until sugar dissolves.
  3. Step 3: Once pork belly is seared, reduce heat to medium-low and pour the ginseng glaze over the pork. Cook, turning occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pork belly with a sticky shine.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork belly from heat, sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions on top. Serve immediately with steamed rice or lettuce wraps.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Pork Belly with Korean Red Ginseng 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 Pork Belly with Korean Red Ginseng 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 pork belly from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Pork Belly with Korean Red Ginseng 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 Pork Belly with Korean Red Ginseng Glaze 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 Pork Belly with Korean Red Ginseng Glaze?

Korean korean 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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