Pan-Seared Pork Belly with Spicy Korean Gochujang Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Thick slices of pork belly pan-seared to golden crispness and coated in a spicy, sweet, and tangy gochujang glaze for a bold Korean-inspired flavor. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs pork belly slices, vegetable oil, gochujang (Korean chili paste) 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb pork belly slices cut about 1/2-inch thick, cooking for 4-5 minutes per side until the edges are golden brown and crisp.
  2. Step 2: While the pork cooks, combine 3 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar in a small bowl, stirring until smooth and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Once pork belly is crisp, reduce heat to medium and brush the gochujang glaze generously over each slice. Cook for 2 more minutes, turning once and spooning glaze to coat, until it thickens and becomes sticky.
  4. Step 4: Remove the pork from heat, sprinkle with 1 tsp sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions for freshness and crunch. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

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

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Pork Belly with Spicy Korean 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 Pork Belly with Spicy Korean Gochujang 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 Spicy Korean 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.

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