Spicy Stir-Fried Korean Pork with Gochujang and Sesame

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

Quick stir-fried pork tossed in a spicy, sweet, and savory Korean gochujang sauce with toasted sesame seeds. This Korean-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, 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 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons gochujang, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon grated ginger until smooth.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound thinly sliced pork shoulder in a single layer and stir-fry for 4 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Pour the prepared sauce over the pork and stir well to coat. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and glazes the meat.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 2 sliced green onions and 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot with steamed rice or lettuce wraps.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Korean Pork with Gochujang and Sesame take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 Stir-Fried Korean Pork 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 Stir-Fried Korean Pork 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 Stir-Fried Korean Pork 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 Stir-Fried Korean Pork 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.

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