Spicy Korean-Style Glazed Pork Lettuce Wraps
Tender pork strips glazed in a spicy-sweet Korean sauce, served fresh in crisp lettuce leaves for a light, flavorful wrap. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced into strips pork tenderloin
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, freshly grated ginger
- 2 stalks, thinly sliced green onions
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 10 leaves, washed and dried butter lettuce leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 2 tbsp gochujang, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp honey, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger. Whisk until smooth.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork tenderloin strips to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Let marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 3: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork strips and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until pork is cooked through and the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 2 thinly sliced green onions and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds.
- Step 5: To serve, spoon warm pork mixture into 10 butter lettuce leaves, folding them like wraps for a fresh, spicy bite.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Korean-Style Glazed Pork Lettuce Wraps 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-Style Glazed Pork Lettuce Wraps?
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 Glazed Pork Lettuce Wraps?
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 Glazed Pork Lettuce Wraps 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-Style Glazed Pork Lettuce Wraps?
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.