Spicy Korean-Style Braised Pork with Gochujang
Tender pork shoulder slowly braised in a savory and spicy gochujang sauce, infused with garlic and ginger for a deep Korean flavor. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 140 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch chunks 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 350 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, cut into 2-inch chunks pork shoulder
- 3 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 5, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 3, sliced green onions
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- 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, about 6-8 minutes, until nicely caramelized.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp gochujang, 1/4 cup soy sauce, and 2 tbsp brown sugar, coating the pork evenly. Pour in 1 cup water, bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and braise gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until pork is fork-tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Remove lid, increase heat to medium, and cook uncovered for 10 minutes to concentrate the sauce.
- Step 6: Stir in 1 tbsp sesame oil, garnish with 3 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Korean-Style Braised Pork with Gochujang take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean-Style Braised Pork 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 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 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.
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