Spiced Korean Braised Pork Shoulder

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Tender pork shoulder slowly braised in a savory-spicy gochujang and soy sauce, perfect served over steamed rice. This Korean-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 165 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, soy sauce, 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 6, 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: 150 min Serves 6 Korean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp sesame oil and sear 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks for 4-5 minutes per side until browned on all sides; remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Lower heat to medium and add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger; sauté for 1 minute until aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 cup water; bring to a simmer.
  4. Step 4: Return pork shoulder chunks to the pot, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and reduce heat to low. Braise for 2 to 2.5 hours, turning pork every 30 minutes, until pork is fork-tender and sauce has thickened.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving over steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Korean Braised Pork Shoulder take to make?

Total time is about 165 minutes (15 min prep + 150 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 Spiced Korean Braised Pork Shoulder?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Korean Braised Pork Shoulder?

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 Spiced Korean Braised Pork Shoulder for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Spiced Korean Braised Pork Shoulder?

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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