Sweet and Spicy Korean-Style Pork Stir Fry

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork strips stir-fried with a vibrant sauce of gochujang, garlic, and honey for a perfect balance of sweet and heat. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs thinly sliced pork shoulder, soy sauce, gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 3, 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: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Korean cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder with 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp honey, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp grated ginger. Marinate for 15 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add marinated pork strips and stir-fry for 6-8 minutes until pork is cooked through and edges start to caramelize.
  3. Step 3: Drizzle 1 tbsp sesame oil over the pork and toss to combine for 1 minute.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and garnish with 3 sliced green onions and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sweet and Spicy Korean-Style 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-Style 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 thinly sliced pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet and Spicy Korean-Style 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-Style Pork Stir Fry for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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-Style 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.

Related recipes