Spicy Korean-Style Pork Stir-Fry with Sesame and Scallions

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick and flavorful stir-fry combining tender pork with a spicy-sweet Korean sauce, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 360 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the edges start to brown.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger to the pork, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp gochujang, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Pour the sauce over the pork and stir well to coat. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and clings to the pork pieces.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 3 sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds on top for freshness and nuttiness before serving immediately with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Korean-Style Pork Stir-Fry with Sesame and Scallions take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Sesame and Scallions?

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 Sesame and Scallions?

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 Sesame and Scallions 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 Sesame and Scallions?

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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