Spicy Korean-Style Pork Stir Fry with Gochujang and Sesame
Thinly sliced pork stir-fried with spicy gochujang sauce and crunchy vegetables for a vibrant Korean-inspired dish. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, vegetable oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 medium, julienned carrot
- 2 stalks, sliced green onion
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until starting to brown.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger to the pork, stirring continuously for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp brown sugar, coating the pork evenly. Cook for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and pork is cooked through.
- Step 4: Add 1 medium julienned carrot and 2 sliced green onions, stir-frying for another 2 minutes until vegetables are slightly softened but still crisp.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the stir fry, sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss gently and serve hot with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Korean-Style Pork Stir Fry with Gochujang and Sesame 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 Pork Stir Fry 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 pork shoulder, thinly sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean-Style Pork Stir Fry 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 Pork Stir Fry with Gochujang and Sesame 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 Stir Fry 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This was a hit at my dinner party! The gochujang really made it pop and the pork was perfectly tender.
- ★★★★★
My husband, who usually doesn't like pork, ate two helpings. The sesame seeds on top were a nice touch.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the flavor, but I found it a bit bland. I added extra gochujang and it was perfect.








