These Korean pork chops are savory, slightly spicy, and super tender and juicy. You'll be blown away by how flavorful they are and even more surprised by how easy they are to make!
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The Best Korean Pork Chops
If you're looking for a delicious new way to eat pork chops, this Korean pork chops recipe is exactly what you need.
They're coated in an amazing Korean-inspired marinade that's savory, garlicky, and sweet, with a bit of spicy flavor that'll keep you wanting more. Plus, the Asian pork chops become so tender and succulent thanks to the sticky, saucy glaze that caramelizes as it cooks.
Best of all, these Korean pork chops are really fast and simple to make. They're prepped in minutes, and most of the time is hands-off cooking.
Oh, and because they have so much flavor already, I recommend pairing Korean pork chops with a simple side dish like this potato mochi or TikTok ramen for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.
Why This Recipe Works
Easy to make. Most of this pork chop recipe is marinating and baking time. All you really need to do is whip up a quick marinade and flip the chops in a skillet for a few minutes.
Incredible flavors. The umami-packed honey soy glaze, made even better with a touch of sesame oil and spicy-tangy gochujang or sriracha, is an amazing complement to the tender and juicy pork chops. It's totally addictive and is sure to be unlike anything you've had before!
The techniques. These pork chops are coated in a marinade that doubles as the sauce, then are seared in a pan before being finished off in the oven. These easy tricks result in the most delicious chops with perfectly cooked meat and a flavorful caramelized crust.
Ingredients
All you need to make this Korean pork chop recipe are a few Asian pantry staple ingredients. You may even find you have most of them on hand already!
Check out what you'll need to make Korean pork chops:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp. honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp. ginger, grated
- 1 tsp. sesame oil
- 2 tsp. gochujang or sriracha
- 4 boneless pork chops
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- Fresh green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Oh, and don't hesitate to stock up on any ingredients you might be missing. You can use most of these ingredients to make homemade spicy Korean ramen.
How To Make Korean Pork Chops
1. Marinate: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200ºC). Then, combine the soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and gochujang together in a medium-sized bowl. Place pork chops in the mixture and marinate for 20 minutes.
2. Sear: Heat the olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Remove the pork chops from the marinade and add them to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the underside turns slightly golden brown, then flip them and pour in the remaining marinade. Cook for another 2-3 minutes on that side.
3. Roast: Transfer the oven-safe skillet with the pork chops into the oven. Or, if your skillet isn't oven safe, transfer the pork chops and the sauce into a baking dish. Bake for 5-10 minutes or until the pork chops are fully cooked through.
4. Serve: Plate the Korean pork chops and garnish them with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with steamed rice or your choice of sides, and enjoy!
Tips To Make the Best Recipe
- Roast thinner pork chops for around 5-8 minutes and bone-in pork chops and thick chops for 8-10 minutes.
- Rest the pork chops for 5 minutes before serving to lock in the meat juices and get the most tender and moist chops.
- Check for an internal temperature of 145°F at the thickest part using a meat thermometer to ensure your pork chops are fully cooked through.
- Use regular sesame oil rather than toasted sesame oil, which has a darker color. Toasted sesame oil burns much quicker and is better for drizzling over the finished dish.
- Use less or more gochujang/sriracha depending on how spicy you want your pork chops. You can also use a touch of Korean gochugaru pepper flakes if you want an extra spicy flavor.
- Toast your sesame seeds before sprinkling them on as garnish for an added layer of nutty flavor and crunch.
How To Store Korean Pork Chops
In the fridge: Transfer the Asian pork chops to an airtight container with any leftover sauce. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
In the freezer: Cool the pork chops and any remaining sauce to room temperature, then store them in a freezer-safe airtight container or freezer bag with the extra air squeezed out. You can keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Place the Korean style pork chops in a baking dish with a couple of tablespoons of water or stock. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in an oven preheated to 350°F (175ºC) for 10-15 minutes or until the pork chops are warmed through. Add more baking time, or thaw the frozen pork chops in the fridge overnight first.
FAQs About This Korean Pork Chops Recipe
What is the secret to moist pork chops?
Searing pork chops before cooking them and letting the pork chops rest for a few minutes after cooking are great tricks. It helps seal in the juices and keeps pork chops moist. Coating your chops in a marinade or dry rub is another easy way to keep them juicy and tender.
Are you supposed to marinate pork chops?
For the juiciest results, you'll want to marinate pork chops for at least 20 minutes. A flavorful dry rub or simple dry brine with salt is as effective as a marinade for seasoning pork chops and keeping them tender.
What do you serve with Korean pork chops?
Korean pork chops are packed with flavor, so they're best served with simple side dishes. Keep it classic with rice noodles, or whip up a refreshing Din Tai Fung cucumber salad or udon soup.
More Recipes
Korean Pork Chops
These Korean pork chops are savory, slightly spicy, and super tender and juicy. You'll be blown away by how flavorful they are and even more surprised by how easy they are to make!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp. honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp, ginger, grated
- 1 tsp. sesame oil
- 2 tsp. gochujang or sriracha
- 4 boneless pork chops
- 1 tbsp.olive oil
- Fresh green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200ºC).
- In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and gochujang. Add the pork chops and let them marinate for about 20 minutes.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add pork chops, without marinade, and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes for the first side or until it gets a nice brownish color. Flip the pork chops and pour the remaining marinade over them. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes on this side.
- Place the skillet in the oven to finish cooking them. Roast for about 5 to 10 minutes or until pork chops are completely cooked through.
- Garnish with fresh green onions and sesame seeds.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 pork chopAmount Per Serving: Calories: 170Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 24g
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