Spicy Korean Stir-Fried Pork with Gochujang and Sesame
A flavorful Korean stir-fried pork dish simmered in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and scallions for depth and crunch. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs thinly sliced 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 380 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced pork shoulder
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2, sliced thin green onions
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder with 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix well and marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering and hot but not smoking.
- Step 3: Add the marinated pork to the pan in a single layer and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently until the pork is cooked through and caramelized at the edges.
- Step 4: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the pork, then add 2 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Toss briefly to combine and release the aroma.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or lettuce wraps.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Korean Stir-Fried Pork with Gochujang and Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 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 Gochujang and Sesame?
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 thinly sliced pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean Stir-Fried Pork with Gochujang and Sesame?
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 Gochujang and Sesame 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 Gochujang and Sesame?
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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