Spicy Korean Stir-Fried Pork with Chili Paste

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

A vibrant and flavorful Korean stir-fried pork dish featuring tender pork slices coated in a spicy chili paste glaze. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs grams pork shoulder, thinly sliced, tablespoons soy sauce, tablespoon sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon grated ginger, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 500 grams thinly sliced pork shoulder to the skillet, spreading it evenly. Cook without stirring for 3 minutes to get a good sear, then stir-fry for another 4 minutes until pork is mostly cooked through.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, mix together 3 tablespoons gochujang, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Pour this sauce over the pork and toss to coat well.
  4. Step 4: Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the pork.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 2 chopped green onions, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Korean Stir-Fried Pork with Chili Paste 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 Stir-Fried Pork with Chili Paste?

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 tablespoons soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean Stir-Fried Pork with Chili Paste?

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 Stir-Fried Pork with Chili Paste 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 Stir-Fried Pork with Chili Paste?

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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