Healthy Korean Pork Belly Skillet

This Healthy Korean Pork Belly Skillet is a flavorful and satisfying dish that brings the bold tastes of Korean cuisine to your home kitchen. With crispy, caramelized edges and tender meat, it's a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The dish is seasoned with traditional Korean ingredients like gochujang, gochugaru, and sesame oil, offering a balance of spice and umami. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special weekend meal, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 pound skinless pork belly, sliced into 1/8-inch thick pieces

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)

• 1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Directions

1. Prepare the Pork Belly: If using thick-cut pork belly, place it in the freezer for about 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to slice thinly. Once firm, slice the pork belly into 1/8-inch thick pieces.

2. Marinate the Pork Belly: In a medium bowl, combine the gochujang, gochugaru, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Add the sliced pork belly to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

3. Cook the Pork Belly: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork belly slices in a single layer. Cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pork is cooked through and the edges are crispy. Be mindful not to burn the marinade; adjust the heat as necessary.

4. Garnish and Serve: Transfer the cooked pork belly to a serving platter. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired. Serve hot with steamed rice and traditional Korean side dishes (banchan) for a complete meal.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Based on 4 servings:

• Calories: 667 kcal

• Protein: 12 g

• Carbohydrates: 12 g

• Fat: 64 g

• Saturated Fat: 22 g

• Polyunsaturated Fat: 8 g

• Monounsaturated Fat: 29 g

• Cholesterol: 82 mg

• Sodium: 326 mg

• Potassium: 368 mg

• Fiber: 1 g

• Sugar: 7 g

• Vitamin A: 749 IU

• Vitamin C: 6 mg

• Calcium: 29 mg

• Iron: 1 mg