Spicy Korean-Style Grilled Pork with Gochujang Marinade

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork marinated in a spicy-sweet Korean gochujang sauce, grilled to smoky perfection and served with fresh scallions. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs pork shoulder slices, 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 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.

★ 4.5 (14 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Mince 4 garlic cloves and grate 1 tbsp fresh ginger. In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to form the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Thinly slice 1 lb pork shoulder into 1/4-inch pieces and toss thoroughly in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove pork from marinade, letting excess drip off.
  4. Step 4: Grill pork slices for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through, with edges caramelized.
  5. Step 5: Thinly slice 3 scallions and sprinkle over grilled pork along with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Korean-Style Grilled Pork with Gochujang Marinade take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Grilled Pork with Gochujang Marinade?

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 pork shoulder slices from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean-Style Grilled Pork with Gochujang Marinade?

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 Grilled Pork with Gochujang Marinade 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 Grilled Pork with Gochujang Marinade?

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes