Stir-Fried Spicy Korean Pork with Scallions
Tender pork strips stir-fried with a fiery gochujang sauce and fresh scallions, delivering a bold umami-packed Korean-inspired dish. This korean-inspired high protein ready in about 27 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 330 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
- 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
- 4, sliced into 2-inch pieces scallions
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-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 to the pan, spreading it out. Cook for 4-5 minutes without stirring to let edges brown, then stir-fry until pork is almost cooked through.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Pour this sauce over the pork and toss well to coat. Cook for another 2 minutes until sauce thickens and clings to the pork.
- Step 4: Add 4 sliced scallions and 1 tsp sesame oil, stir-frying briefly for 1 minute until scallions soften but remain bright green.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds on top. Serve hot with steamed rice or lettuce wraps.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Spicy Korean Pork with Scallions take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Spicy Korean Pork with 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 Stir-Fried Spicy Korean Pork with 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 Stir-Fried Spicy Korean Pork with 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 Stir-Fried Spicy Korean Pork with Scallions?
Korean high protein 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
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a high-protein meal that doesn't taste like chicken.
- ★★★★★
Cooked it exactly as written and it was delicious.
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a hit with my kids! They loved the spicy kick.