Stir-Fried Korean Spicy Pork with Napa Cabbage
Tender pork slices stir-fried with napa cabbage and a spicy Korean chili paste sauce, delivering a balanced heat and umami flavor. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs pork shoulder thinly sliced, chopped napa cabbage, vegetable oil 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork shoulder thinly sliced
- 4 cups chopped napa cabbage
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 3 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 sliced green onions
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pork is browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar, mixing well to coat the pork evenly. Cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Add 4 cups chopped napa cabbage and 2 sliced green onions, stir-frying for another 3-4 minutes until the cabbage softens but still retains some crunch.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the dish. Sprinkle 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds on top before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Korean Spicy Pork with Napa Cabbage 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 Stir-Fried Korean Spicy Pork with Napa Cabbage?
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 Stir-Fried Korean Spicy Pork with Napa Cabbage?
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 Stir-Fried Korean Spicy Pork with Napa Cabbage 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 Stir-Fried Korean Spicy Pork with Napa Cabbage?
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.
