Lettuce wraps are one of those things that I love having almost weekly. There are so many possibilities for flavor combinations and I especially love using lettuce wraps with spicy food because of the crisp freshness that the lettuce gives the dish. While you are probably most familiar with Asian Chicken Lettuce wraps, I love using wraps in other recipes as well. Spicy Korean pork is one of those foods that has an undeniable flavor and is actually really easy to create at home too. These delicious grilled spicy Korean pork lettuce wraps are a great weeknight dinner option and will quickly become a favorite dish in your house.
One of the essential ingredients here is gochujang.
Do you use gochujang often? Or do you even know what it is?
Well let me tell ya! It’s a Korean red chili paste that is a bit sweet and spicy and is a great sauce to add into dishes for a serious flavor bomb. You can usually find it on your Asian food aisle at your regular grocery store these days and I think it’s a great pantry staple to have on hand. You will love using it for meat marinades, dipping sauces and more and it’s a must whenever you want that signature Korean flavors, especially in these grilled spicy pork lettuce wraps.
This dish is so simple and doesn’t take long to prepare which makes it ideal for weeknight cooking. You simply marinate the pork and then grill it up on a grill pan or wok. These pans are great to have on hand for vegetables and things that can fall through the grates and to me, are another great investment if you love grilling like I do. (Also they are super affordable!) But no worries if you don’t have one, you can simply use an indoor grill pan or use aluminum foil on the grill instead.
These lettuce wraps are packed full of delicious flavors and are a fabulous way to satisfy your takeout cravings right at home! This meal is the perfect light and easy dinner that you will find yourself making time and time again!
Ingredients:
4 Boneless Pork Chops
4 Tablespoons Gochujang
2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
2 Tsp. Honey
2 Tsp. Sugar
2 Tsp. Sesame Oil
2 Tsp. Rice Vinegar
2 Tbsp. Grated Ginger
4 Finely Minced Garlic Cloves
1 Onion, finely sliced
4 Green Onions
1 Tbsp. Sesame Seeds
Kimchi
Iceberg or Butter Lettuce for wraps
White Rice for serving (optional)
Directions:
Make marinade by combining gochujang, soy sauce, honey, sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic and stir to combine until its smooth.
Slice pork chops as thin as you can into strips. Tip: Freeze meat for an hour or so before slicing to make it easier.
Add the onions to the meat and marinade and toss to combine. Marinate the meat and onions for at least 30 minutes, but up to a few hours in the refrigerator.
Preheat grill or grill pan to medium high heat.
Place meat in a grill wok or pan that has holes in the bottom or you can also use aluminum foil here and grill meat, turning every few minutes until pork is cooked through. If using a grill pan indoors, you can simply add meat directly to the skillet.
When pork is cooked through, remove from the grill.
To serve place some white rice into each lettuce cup and then layer with grilled spicy pork and top with kimchi, green onions ,and sesame seeds.
Serve immediately.
How good do these look? My hubby said I could make these once a week and he would be a happy man, and I have to agree!
