Spicy & Sweet Gochujang Pork Stir-Fry: The Ultimate Recipe
Super Easy Gochujang Pork Stir-Fry Recipe: Tips for Making the Perfect Sauce with Pork Shoulder
Thick cuts of pork shoulder, generously coated in a rich gochujang sauce and stir-fried to perfection, create a main dish that’s guaranteed to make you devour rice. Pork shoulder is an economical cut, and with the right sauce, you can quickly stir-fry it for a meal that’s both simple and an absolute delight when wrapped in fresh lettuce. When stir-fried until dry and slightly charred, it develops a smoky flavor that kids particularly love, turning it into a delicious Korean spicy pork bulgogi. This recipe will show you how to achieve that restaurant-quality smoky taste at home, without the sauce being too watery. The mere sight of this dish is enough to make your mouth water, and the moment the sauce hits the meat, it’s utterly irresistible. My children were eagerly anticipating dinner as soon as I started preparing this! Even when you’re short on time for dinner prep, this delicious pork shoulder stir-fry can be made quickly. I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to marinate the pork with the gochujang sauce and then stir-fry it over high heat until perfectly cooked.
Main Ingredients
- 600g Pork Shoulder
- 3-4 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1/2 stalk Scallion
- 1/2 Onion
- 1.5 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Making the Flavorful Sauce
- 4 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or honey)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 0.5 tsp Ginger Powder
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 4 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or honey)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 0.5 tsp Ginger Powder
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the star of our dish: thick cuts of pork shoulder. While thinly sliced pork shoulder is often used for stir-fries, today we’ll use thicker, chunkier pieces, almost like pork steaks, to enhance the texture. To ensure freshness and remove any gamey smell, pat the pork dry with paper towels. This step also helps the marinade penetrate better.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables. Wash and finely chop the onion and scallion. The chopped scallions will be used shortly to create fragrant scallion oil, adding another layer of flavor to our dish.
Step 3
The secret to a delicious gochujang pork stir-fry lies in the sauce! In a bowl, combine 4 Tbsp gochujang, 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp sugar, 2 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp oligodang, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 0.5 tsp ginger powder, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined. Make sure there are no clumps.
Step 4
Add the prepared sauce to the pork and mix well to coat every piece. If you have time, marinating the pork for about an hour in the refrigerator will deepen the flavors even further. However, if you’re pressed for time, you can proceed to stir-fry it immediately, and it will still be delicious. Even a short marinating time will allow the flavors to meld.
Step 5
Now, let’s start cooking! Heat 3-4 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped scallions and begin to sauté.
Step 6
Continue to cook the scallions until they turn golden brown and release their fragrant oil. This ‘scallion oil’ is crucial for building the savory foundation of our stir-fry.
Step 7
Once the scallion aroma is prominent, add the marinated pork to the pan. Turn the heat up to medium-high. Instead of stirring immediately, let the pork sit undisturbed for about 2 minutes. Allowing it to sear and lightly caramelize on the bottom creates that desirable smoky flavor.
Step 8
After the bottom of the pork has browned and infused with that smoky essence, continue to stir-fry over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, ensuring everything is well combined. Stir-frying over high heat helps evaporate excess moisture and allows the sauce to cling beautifully to the meat.
Step 9
You’ll see that the pork is now cooked dry, with the sauce perfectly coating each piece, creating an appetizing appearance.
Step 10
We’re almost done! Lastly, add the sliced onion and stir-fry for another minute or until the onion slightly softens. We omitted spicy peppers since we’re serving this to children, but if you prefer a spicier kick, feel free to add some chili peppers at this stage.
Step 11
Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in about 1.5 Tbsp of sesame oil and toss everything together. The nutty aroma of sesame oil perfectly complements the spicy and savory flavors of our gochujang pork stir-fry! Although the vibrant red sauce might look fiery, its addictive, savory taste makes it a hit with kids too. While pork shoulder is excellent, feel free to substitute with pork belly or neck, using the same sauce ratio for a equally delicious result. For an even more decadent meal, top it with a fried egg! And don’t let any delicious sauce go to waste – mix in some seaweed flakes and sesame oil with any leftover sauce to make a flavorful fried rice. Enjoy this satisfying and delicious meal that rivals any restaurant experience, right in your own home!
