Spicy Korean-Style Braised Pork Shoulder with Gochujang

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder slowly braised in a deep, spicy-sweet gochujang sauce accented with garlic and ginger, a classic regional Korean comfort dish. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 120 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch chunks pork shoulder, vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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: 105 min Serves 6 Korean cuisine 400 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes until golden.
  2. Step 2: Add 6 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger to the pot. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp gochujang, 1/4 cup soy sauce, and 2 tbsp brown sugar until pork is evenly coated. Pour in 1 1/2 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
  4. Step 4: Simmer gently for 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pork is tender and sauce thickens to a glossy coating.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 3 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving with steamed rice.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 120 minutes (15 min prep + 105 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-Style Braised Pork Shoulder with Gochujang?

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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean-Style Braised Pork Shoulder with Gochujang?

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-Style Braised Pork Shoulder with Gochujang 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-Style Braised Pork Shoulder with Gochujang?

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.

Related recipes