Spicy Korean-Style Braised Pork with Gochujang and Sesame
A rich and spicy braised pork dish simmered in a fragrant sauce of gochujang, garlic, and soy, finished with toasted sesame seeds and scallions. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 105 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes 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 480 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 1-inch cubes pork shoulder
- 3 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 5 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp minced ginger root
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 3 sliced thin green onions
- 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 cubes and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Lower heat to medium, add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger root. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp gochujang, 1/4 cup soy sauce, and 2 tbsp brown sugar, coating pork evenly. Pour in 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer gently for 1 hour 15 minutes until pork is tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Remove lid, increase heat to medium-high and cook uncovered for 10 more minutes to reduce sauce, stirring frequently until it coats pork.
- Step 6: Stir in 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil and sprinkle 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds and 3 sliced green onions on top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Korean-Style Braised Pork with Gochujang and Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (15 min prep + 90 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 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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean-Style Braised 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-Style Braised Pork with Gochujang and Sesame 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 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.
