Hearty and Spicy Pork Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae) with Frozen Pork
Hearty and Spicy Pork Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae) with Frozen Pork
Quick and Flavorful Pork Kimchi Stew Using Frozen Pork
This recipe allows you to make a delicious pork kimchi stew using frozen pork without thawing! It’s a foolproof recipe inspired by Chef Baek Jong-won, guaranteed to be incredibly tasty. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients- 200g frozen pork (e.g., pork neck, pork belly, or your preferred cut)
- 300g well-fermented napa cabbage kimchi (aged kimchi recommended!)
- 1 Tbsp fermented shrimp (saeujeot)
- 600ml broth (or water)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (adjust to taste)
- 1.5 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru, adjust to spice preference)
- 0.3 Tbsp sugar (to balance the kimchi’s sourness)
- 1/2 stalk green onion
- 1/4 onion
- 1 chili pepper (optional, for extra spice)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the frozen pork straight from the freezer. Using it without thawing helps retain its juices, resulting in a more tender and flavorful stew.
Step 2
Place the frozen pork directly into a deep pot. Pour in 600ml of broth (or water). Using anchovy-kelp broth or rice water will add more depth of flavor, but plain water works too. Add 1 tablespoon of fermented shrimp along with the liquid to tenderize the pork and enhance the broth’s umami.
Step 3
Bring the pot to a rolling boil over high heat and cook until the pork is fully cooked. Boiling sufficiently is key to extracting maximum flavor from the pork into the broth.
Step 4
Once the pork is partially cooked, carefully remove the chunks from the pot and slice them into bite-sized pieces. Slicing them at this stage allows the stew’s flavors to penetrate the meat more effectively.
Step 5
Return the sliced pork to the pot and continue to simmer. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface for a clearer broth. Once the pork is tender and the liquid has reduced slightly, proceed to the next step.
Step 6
Now, add the well-fermented kimchi. Cutting the kimchi into smaller pieces will help it break down and release its flavor into the stew more quickly.
Step 7
Simmer the kimchi with the pork, then add the seasonings: 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 0.3 tablespoon sugar (this gently balances the sourness of the kimchi), 1.5 tablespoons red pepper flakes, and 0.5 tablespoon soy sauce for soup. Stir well. The soy sauce adds umami; you can adjust its amount based on the kimchi’s saltiness.
Step 8
Let the stew simmer further to allow all the ingredients and seasonings to meld together. The kimchi will soften and infuse the broth with its rich, fermented flavor.
Step 9
Finally, add the aromatics: thinly sliced green onion, sliced onion, and chopped chili pepper (if using). Simmer for another 3 minutes until the vegetables are tender, then turn off the heat. Your delicious and spicy pork kimchi stew is ready! Enjoy it hot with a bowl of rice.
