Go Back
korean-pork-chops

High Protein Meals: Korean Style Pork Chops

This spicy pork loin recipe is not only delicious but also a fantastic way to incorporate more protein into your diet. Plus, it’s quick enough to whip up on a busy weeknight!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 3 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: korean
Calories: 389
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pork chops
Ingredients for the Marinade:
  • 2 tbsp 56g low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp 28g balsamic vinegar
  • Pinch of salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
Sauce ingredients
  • 7 cloves of garlic or less if you prefer
  • 4 chili peppers adjust the heat to your liking
  • 1 inch of ginger peeled and finely grated
  • 3-4 tbsp of soy sauce
  • Water 3-4 tbsp
  • 1 tbsp 28g brown sugar or honey

Method
 

  1. Score the Fat: Make a few small cuts along the fat edge of each chop. This prevents curling while cooking and helps them cook evenly.
  2. Marinate: In a bowl, combine the marinade ingredients and toss the pork chops until they’re well coated.
  3. Cornstarch Coating: Add 1-2 tbsp (28g-56g) cornstarch and mix until the chops are evenly coated. This will help create a lovely crust when cooked.
  4. Preheat Your Pan: Heat a non-stick ceramic pan over medium-high heat. You can use a bit of homemade pork fat for extra flavor, but it’s not necessary if your pan is good quality.
  5. Cooking Time: Sear the pork chops for about 3-4 minutes on one side until they’re golden brown. They won’t be fully cooked through yet—don’t worry, they’ll finish in the sauce.
  6. Flip and Brown: After they’re beautifully browned, flip the chops. At this point, they may still be a bit raw inside, but we’ll finish cooking them soon.
  7. Airfryer is another way you can fry the chops.
Making the Sauce:
  1. Add More Flavor: Once the chops are taken off the pan, add a bit more pork fat if desired. Toss in the chopped chili peppers, garlic, and ginger.
  2. Deglaze the Pan: Pour in about 3-4 tbsp of soy sauce to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those tasty bits. Add 3-4 tbsp of water.
  3. Sweeten It Up: Stir in 1 tbsp (28g) brown sugar or honey to balance the flavors.
  4. Thicken the Sauce: Let the sauce simmer until it begins to thicken. If you like more sauce, feel free to double the ingredients.
  5. Combine and Cook: Add the pork chops back into the pan, tossing them in the sauce, and let them cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until they’re cooked through.