Spicy Korean-Inspired Braised Pork Shoulder with Gochujang Glaze

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

Tender pork shoulder slow-braised in a spicy, umami-rich gochujang sauce, delivering deep Korean flavors perfect for a comforting meal. This Korean-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 220 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, 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 550 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: 20 min Cook: 200 min Serves 6 Korean cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. In a large Dutch oven, combine 1/3 cup gochujang, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 2 cups water. Stir until sugar dissolves and sauce is uniform.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 lbs pork shoulder chunks to the sauce, turning to coat evenly. Cover the pot with a lid and place in the oven for 3 hours, braising until pork is fork-tender and sauce has thickened.
  3. Step 3: Remove the lid and cook uncovered for an additional 20 minutes at 350°F to reduce the sauce further and develop a glaze on the pork.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 sliced green onions and season with 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Serve hot garnished with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds alongside steamed rice or leafy greens.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Korean-Inspired Braised Pork Shoulder with Gochujang Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 220 minutes (20 min prep + 200 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 Spicy Korean-Inspired Braised Pork Shoulder with 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 shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean-Inspired Braised Pork Shoulder with 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 Spicy Korean-Inspired Braised Pork Shoulder with Gochujang Glaze 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 Spicy Korean-Inspired Braised Pork Shoulder with 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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