Spicy Korean-Inspired Stir-Fried Pork with Sesame and Scallions

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

A fiery stir-fried pork dish featuring tender pork strips coated in a savory-sweet chili sauce, accented by toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions. This Korean-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, vegetable oil, garlic cloves 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: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder to the pan, spreading it out and stir-frying for 5-6 minutes until the pork starts to brown and is nearly cooked through.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp Gochujang, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Pour this sauce over the pork and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pork.
  4. Step 4: Season with 1/4 tsp black pepper and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes if using. Remove the pan from heat and stir in 3 sliced scallions.
  5. Step 5: Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the top for a nutty finish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Korean-Inspired Stir-Fried Pork with Sesame and Scallions 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 Spicy Korean-Inspired Stir-Fried Pork with Sesame and Scallions?

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 Spicy Korean-Inspired Stir-Fried Pork with Sesame and Scallions?

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 Stir-Fried Pork with Sesame and Scallions 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 Spicy Korean-Inspired Stir-Fried Pork with Sesame and Scallions?

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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