The Ultimate Crispy Bacon Kimchi Stir-Fry Recipe
Easy & Flavorful Bacon Kimchi Stir-Fry: A Must-Try Korean Classic
Discover the perfect recipe for Bacon Kimchi Stir-Fry, a beloved Korean dish where savory bacon meets tangy, aged kimchi for an irresistible flavor explosion. This easy-to-follow guide will help you create a deeply satisfying meal that’s perfect with a bowl of rice.
Ingredients
- 5 strips thick-cut bacon (about 200g), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 600g well-fermented napa cabbage kimchi, roughly chopped
- 4 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 large green onions (scallions)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp sugar (to balance the kimchi’s tanginess)
- 0.5 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance, for umami)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to taste)
- 2.5 Tbsp perilla oil (for finishing aroma)
- 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 150ml water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gather and prepare all your ingredients. Cut the bacon into roughly 1-2cm pieces and chop the green onions into about 5cm lengths for maximum flavor release.
Step 2
Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Once warm, add 4 tablespoons of cooking oil, ensuring it coats the bottom of the pan evenly.
Step 3
Add the minced garlic to the warm oil and sauté for a few seconds until fragrant. Then, add the prepared bacon and green onions. Increase the heat to high and stir-fry for 1 minute, allowing the bacon to render its delicious fat.
Step 4
Add the chopped kimchi to the pan with the bacon and green onions. If the kimchi is clumped together, gently break it apart as you stir-fry.
Step 5
Sprinkle in 0.5 tablespoon of sugar. This helps to mellow the tartness of the kimchi, creating a more balanced flavor profile. You can adjust this amount based on how sour your kimchi is.
Step 6
Add 0.5 tablespoon of fish sauce for an extra layer of savory depth. Stir everything together and continue to cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, allowing the kimchi and bacon flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 7
Pour in 150ml of water. This liquid will prevent the stir-fry from drying out, help tenderize the kimchi, and ensure the sauce coats every ingredient.
Step 8
Add 1.5 tablespoons of gochugaru for color and a mild kick. Stir well to combine. Continue to stir-fry over medium-low heat until the water has mostly evaporated and the sauce has thickened slightly, coating the ingredients. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
Step 9
Once the sauce has reduced and the stir-fry is glossy, turn off the heat. Drizzle in 2.5 tablespoons of perilla oil. This finishing touch adds a wonderful nutty aroma and depth of flavor.
Step 10
Finally, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds over the dish. Your delicious Bacon Kimchi Stir-Fry is now ready to be enjoyed! It’s especially wonderful served over hot, steamed rice.
