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    Home » Recipes » Pork Recipes

    Korean Pork Barbecue Recipe -Chef Dennis

    Published: Oct 7, 2019 · Modified: Jun 29, 2021 by Chef Dennis Littley

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    4.99 from 58 votes
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    Two Pictures of Korean Pork Barbecue on white plates with sauteed spinach on the side

    Wouldn’t you love to serve your friends and family this so very flavorful Korean Pork Barbecue? Learning to cook like a chef is all about sourcing the right ingredients and applying the right techniques to cook the dish. So, get ready to learn one of this chef’s secret ingredients.

    slices of Korean Pork Barbecue on a white plate sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions

    One of the great joys in life is cooking for my friends. As a chef, there is no better feeling than seeing smiling faces around the table after dinner. And occasional OMG I’m stuffed with a loosening of the belt. 

    That’s when I feel the most successful. Not after winning an award or accolade, but after making someone happy with the food I’ve prepared. It’s a good life when you do what you love for a living.

    As I said in the opening paragraph, sourcing ingredients is one of the differences between a home cook and a chef. It’s not rocket science, it’s just finding the right ingredients for the dish you’re making.

    What ingredients do you need to make the marinade for the Korean pork?

    ingredients for the marinade in glass bowls and pork tenderloin on a white plate

    One of the first things I learned as an apprentice was to gather my ingredients before I started cooking. In chef-speak, this is called the Mise en Place (everything in its place). It not only makes the process smoother and faster, but it also ensures you have everything you need to make the dish you’re preparing.

    A few of the key ingredients you’ll need to make the marinade may be new to you. Your local grocer may surprise you and carry most of them. If not, there are Asian markets just about everywhere these days, and you will find everything you need there.

    Are these new to you?

    • Dark Soy Sauce (thicker and darker with a more full-bodied flavor)
    • Gochujang (Korean red pepper paste) (savory sweet and spicy chili paste)
    • Mirin (subtly sweet, slightly tangy rice wine)
    • Sesame Oil (oil derived from sesame seeds and a great flavor enhancer)

    How do I marinate the Pork Tenderloin?

    ziplock bag with marinade and pork tenderloin

    I love to marinate meats to give them extra flavor, and it’s really as simple as mixing the ingredients together and placing them in a zippered plastic bag with the protein and place it in the fridge. 

    I use gallon zippered bags and could easily fit two pork tenderloins inside the bag. You could cut the tenderloins in half, just be aware they will cook a little faster.

    After everything is in the bag and it’s well sealed, move the marinade around a bit, working it into the meat. 

    How long should I marinate the pork?

    Technically 35-45 minutes would be enough. But 4 – 8 hours well give you a more flavorful pork tenderloin. 

    *That doesn’t mean that marinating even longer is better. Over-marinating can cause meats to break down and become mushy. 

    How do I make Korean Pork Barbecue Sauce?

    ingredients in glass bowls to make recipe

    Let’s gather our ingredients for the Korean Barbecue Sauce. You’ll also notice that I have sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds for the garnish. 

    sauce in a bowl  with a blue silicone spatula

    Making the barbecue sauce is fairly simple once you get all the ingredients together. The important step after bringing the sauce to a light boil is to let it simmer to cook and get the depth of flavor into the sauce. I would recommend no less than 30 minutes on low heat. If the sauce gets too thick, thin it out with water or orange juice.

    Did you know that Caterers, Bakers, and Chefs from coast to coast, depend on Karo® Syrup for their recipes? That, my friends, is why it comes in gallon jugs! 

    What Can you use instead of Gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)?

    • Sriracha Chili Sauce 
    • Thai Chili Paste
    • Harissa
    • Sambal Oelek

    None of these substitutes will have the exact flavor but they will work well in the recipe.

    When your pork is done marinating and your Korean Barbecue sauce is ready, you can preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and get ready to have dinner on the table in 30 minutes.

    marinated pork tenderloin with brush and barbecue sauce

    Remove the tenderloins from the marinade and wipe them down with paper towels to remove excess marinade from the outside of the pork. It will look much darker from the marinade, giving the pork an almost smoked and dried look.

    Pork Tenderloin brushed with  sauce, bowl of bbq sauce and brush on the side

    Next, liberally brush down the pork with the Korean barbecue sauce and place it into the preheated oven for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the pork from the oven, carefully turn it over and brush the other side with barbecue sauce. Return to oven for an additional 15 minutes.

    cooked barbecued pork tenderloin with meat thermometer

    I always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp of the meats I cook. Years ago, it wasn’t safe to eat pork unless it has passed 165 degrees internally.

    These days, pork is best served as you would beef, and 145 degrees is my preferred internal temp. This leaves the pork a little pink inside. My wife will not eat anything that isn’t well done, so as you can see by the thermometer the internal temp is 167 degrees. 

    The pork will still be tender and delicious, but if you don’t mind medium-rare to medium-well, cook your pork to an internal temp of 145-150 degrees.

    White Platter with sliced pork tenderloin and spinach.

    Then it’s just a matter of plating up your pork, adding some sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds as a garnish, and serving it with your favorite side dishes.

    Can you use this marinade and barbecue sauce on other meats?

    Yes, you can! This recipe will work well with Chicken, Beef or Lamb.

    Korean Pork Barbecue and spinach on a white plate

    If you love a good pork recipe make sure to check out these recipes.

    • Oven Roasted Rack of Pork
    • Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
    • Coffee Dry Rub Pork Chops
    • Pan Seared Pork Tenderloin

    [full social]

    Korean Pork Barbecue and spinach on a white plate
    Print Recipe Save Saved!
    4.99 from 58 votes

    Korean Pork Barbecue

    Creating delicious dishes like my Korean Pork Barbecue isn't difficult, it's all about the ingredients. Don't spend all day in the kitchen, marinate the pork overnight and have dinner on your table in 30 minutes.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Marinating4 hrs
    Total Time45 mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: Asian-American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 620kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    Marinade

    • ¼ cup Gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
    • ¼ cup dark soy sauce
    • 2 tbsp sesame oil
    • 2 tbsp mirin
    • 1 tbsp brown sugar
    • 2 pounds pork tenderloins (2 tenderloins)

    Barbecue Sauce

    • 2 tbsp sesame oil
    • 1 tsp ginger finely chopped
    • 1 tsp garlic finely chopped
    • 1 tbsp onion finely chopped
    • ½ cup light Karo® Syrup *add 2 tbsp more for a sweeter sauce
    • ½ cup tomato paste
    • ¼ cup soy sauce
    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tbsp Gochujang (Korean red pepper paste) *add 1 tbsp more for a spicer sauce
    • ½ tsp sea salt *or to taste

    Serving Pork

    • 2 tsp sesame seeds toasted
    • 1 bunch scallions sliced – green part only
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Marinade

    • Trim pork tenderloin, removing the silver skin from the pork and any unwanted fat.
    • Mix marinade ingredients in a bowl.
    • Place pork tenderloins to a large zippered plastic bag, then pour in the marinade. Seal the bag well and refrigerate for 4 hours. (one hour is the minimum and 12 hours the maximum)

    Korean Barbecue Sauce

    • In a saucepan over medium heat add sesame oil, onions, garlic and ginger. Allow the aromatics to saute for 1-2 minutes.
    • Add the remainder of the ingredients, stirring well.  Bring sauce to a light boil for 2-3 minutes then reduce heat to low. Allow the sauce to simmer for 20-30 minutes.
      *If the barbecue sauce is too thick add a little water to thin it to the right consistency.
      *This is your opportunity to reseason the sauce as needed. If you want it spicier add more Korean red pepper paste. If you'd like the sauce a little sweeter add more Karo® Syrup.

    Pork Tenderloin

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
    • Remove pork tenderloins from the marinade and pat down the tenderloins with paper towels to remove any excess marinade from the outside of the pork.
    • Place pork tenderloins on roasting pan.
    • Brush tenderloins liberally with BBQ sauce and place into the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
    • Heat saute pan until fairly hot. Remove from heat and add sesame seeds. Seeds will begin to toast and pop. Keep the seeds moving to keep them from burning. When seeds look toasted, remove from pan onto a plate or bowl until needed.
    • Remove the pan from the oven. Turn over the tenderloins and brush the pork with barbecue sauce.
    • Return the pan to the oven for another 15 minutes.
    • Remove the pork from the oven. Brush with additional barbecue sauce and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
    • Slice pork tenderloins about ¼ inch thick or as desired
    • Place the sliced pork tenderloins on a serving dish, trying to keep them lined up. Brush with additional sauce if needed.
    • Sprinkle top of pork tenderloin with toasted sesame seeds and garnish with sliced scallions.
    • Serve with your favorite sides and additional barbecue sauce.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 620kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 147mg | Sodium: 2386mg | Potassium: 1391mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 593IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

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    1. Nancy at Whispered Inspirations

      October 09, 2019 at 12:01 am

      OMG, this looks scrumtious. I love that it is saucy. I’m going to give this a try, thanks!

      Reply
    2. Farrah Less

      October 08, 2019 at 4:07 pm

      5 stars
      I like Korean pork Barbeque normally the only time I can eat this when we go to Korean restaurant. I can’t wait to try this recipe at home. Now I can eat it almost every weekend.

      Reply
    3. Ana

      October 08, 2019 at 2:13 pm

      5 stars
      I don’t eat pork but this Korean Pork barbecue looks incredibly delicious in your pictures. Thanks for sharing the recipe with us!

      Reply
    4. Rachel

      October 08, 2019 at 11:24 am

      I love Korean BBQ. I had no idea how to make it so I am going to test this recipe out very soon!

      Reply
    5. Kathy

      October 08, 2019 at 9:24 am

      This looks really delicious. I’ve never tried anything like it before. I’m definitely looking forward to trying it though.

      Reply
    6. Lisa Favre

      October 08, 2019 at 7:58 am

      5 stars
      I’m all about Korean dishes and this Korean Pork BBQ meal looks absolutely perfect! I want it in my tummy right now.

      Reply
    7. Jeni Hawkins

      October 08, 2019 at 5:38 am

      I am such a fan of Korean dishes. The flavor bought by it’s herbs and spices are fantastic. This is a must try.

      Reply
    8. Ruth I

      October 08, 2019 at 5:37 am

      This is such an amazing Korean dish. You make it seem that it’s very easy to try. It looks so good.

      Reply
    9. Karen Morse

      October 08, 2019 at 1:01 am

      This is a little different from the recipes that I’ve seen in the past. It looks so good and I’d love to give it a try. It’s an easy recipe that’s packed with so much flavor! YUM!

      Reply
    10. Theresa

      October 07, 2019 at 10:42 pm

      5 stars
      I have never tried my hand at making any Korean dishes, but you are inspiring me to try asap with this pork barbecue recipe. It looks like it’s chock full of flavor! I also like to keep Karo on hand. It’s the brand my mama always used, so it was a no-brainer to stick with it because “mama knows best”.

      Reply
    11. Agnes Dela Cruz

      October 07, 2019 at 10:34 pm

      Pork loin is always the best part of the meat where you can prepare easy and not be intimidated on over-cooking it. I will try this recipe this weekend.

      Reply
    12. Ali Rost

      October 07, 2019 at 9:06 pm

      5 stars
      In high school I had a friend who’s grandma made Korean braised short ribs, or galbi jjim, every year on her birthday. She always outdid herself for the occasion—there was also jap chae (stir-fried sweet potato noodles with beef and vegetables); miyeokguk, a nourishing seaweed soup traditionally eaten on birthdays; and some kind of pajeon, or scallion pancake. It was a meal I looked forward to every year.

      Reply
    13. Terri Steffes

      October 07, 2019 at 9:00 pm

      The Korean beef recipe looks so good. I would love to make that for my family. The sauce is what makes it for me, so I was glad to see a recipe for it.

      Reply
    14. Stacie

      October 07, 2019 at 5:17 pm

      My goodness, this looks so delicious! It definitely gives me all the BBQ vibes but with an Asian spin on the recipe.

      Reply
    15. Tasheena

      October 07, 2019 at 5:09 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my! This looks so savory. Would love to make this for my family this week. I have to make sure to add these items to my grocery list.

      Reply
    16. 1StopMom

      October 07, 2019 at 3:25 pm

      I have never had Korean Pork before and now I want some. It looks absolutely delicious. I definitely want to try your recipe, it is very easy to follow. Thanks for the extra tips too. You answered some questions I had.

      Reply
    17. Pam Wattenbarger

      October 07, 2019 at 10:11 am

      My family loves Korean pork and your version looks so tasty. I have a pork tenderloin in the fridge that is calling out to be used in this dish.

      Reply
    18. Pam Wattenbarger

      October 07, 2019 at 10:10 am

      My family loves Korean pork and your version looks so tasty! I have a pork tenderloin in the fridge that is calling out to be used in this dish.

      Reply
    19. Melissa Chapman

      October 07, 2019 at 9:06 am

      5 stars
      I love the marinade you make it will flavor the meat so well. I am sure these ingredients will be discovered in the best markets we go to.

      Reply
    20. Amber Myers

      October 07, 2019 at 8:11 am

      I need to make this for dinner one night. I’ve always liked Korean pork. I’ve never tried to make it before though.

      Reply
    Newer Comments »

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    My name is Dennis Littley or "Chef Dennis" as I'm known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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