Sweet and Spicy Korean-Inspired Pork Stir Fry
Tender pork strips stir-fried with a vibrant sauce combining sweet, spicy, and savory elements, tossed with crisp vegetables for a colorful meal. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs soy sauce, gochujang (Korean chili paste), honey 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, thinly sliced into strips pork tenderloin
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp fresh, minced ginger
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium, sliced into strips green bell pepper
- 1 large, julienned carrot
- 2, sliced thin scallions
- 1 tbsp for garnish sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sesame oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork tenderloin strips to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until very hot but not smoking.
- Step 4: Add the marinated pork strips in a single layer and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the pork is browned and cooked through.
- Step 5: Add 1 medium sliced green bell pepper and 1 large julienned carrot to the wok. Stir-fry with the pork for an additional 3 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Step 6: Toss in 2 sliced scallions and stir everything together for 30 seconds to combine and warm through.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the dish before serving with steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet and Spicy Korean-Inspired Pork Stir Fry take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 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 Sweet and Spicy Korean-Inspired Pork Stir Fry?
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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet and Spicy Korean-Inspired Pork Stir Fry?
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 Sweet and Spicy Korean-Inspired Pork Stir Fry 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 Sweet and Spicy Korean-Inspired Pork Stir Fry?
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.