Spicy Korean-Style Pork Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Marinated thinly sliced pork stir-fried in a spicy-sweet sauce, served in crisp lettuce cups for a fresh, interactive eating experience. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 50 minutes pairs thinly sliced 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 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.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 40 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 tbsp gochujang, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp grated ginger, and 3 thinly sliced green onions to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder to the marinade, tossing to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to absorb flavors.
  3. Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork in batches, cooking for 4-5 minutes until the edges caramelize and pork is cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Transfer cooked pork to a serving dish and sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds.
  5. Step 5: Serve pork alongside 8 large romaine lettuce leaves for wrapping. Encourage diners to spoon pork into lettuce cups and enjoy the spicy, savory bites.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Korean-Style Pork Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (40 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 Pork Bulgogi 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 thinly sliced pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean-Style Pork Bulgogi 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 Pork Bulgogi 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 Pork Bulgogi 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.

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