Spicy Braised Pork Stew (Jjageuli)
Spicy Braised Pork Stew (Jjageuli)
Home Cooking Recipe #12: Deliciously Spicy Pork Jjageuli
This Jjageuli is a hearty, flavorful Korean stew made with tender pork and vegetables, simmered in a rich, spicy-sweet sauce. It’s the perfect comforting dish to pair with rice. Learn how to make this satisfying meal with simple steps!
Main Ingredients- 600g Pork shoulder (or pork belly, pork neck)
- 1 Onion (medium size)
- 1 Potato (medium size)
- 1 Red chili pepper
- 1 Green chili pepper (or 2 for extra spice)
- Carrots (a small amount, optional)
- 20cm length Green onion (scallion)
- 500ml Rice water (or plain water)
Seasoning- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or soju, cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or soju, cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s prepare the main ingredients for our Jjageuli. We’ll need 600g of pork shoulder. You can also use pork neck or belly for a richer flavor. Chop 1 onion and 1 potato into bite-sized pieces. Slice 1 red chili and 1 green chili pepper diagonally (use 2 green chilies if you like it spicier). Add a small amount of carrot, also chopped roughly, for color. Cut a 20cm piece of green onion into large sections. Prepare 500ml of rice water, which adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the stew. For the seasoning mix: 2 Tbsp Gochujang, 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (you can mix spicy and mild flakes), 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1/2 Tbsp Doenjang, and 2 Tbsp soy sauce. *Remember to adjust the seasoning to your personal taste. It’s best not to make it too salty.
Step 2
Now, let’s marinate the pork. Place the pork in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle about 1/3 Tbsp of salt and some whole black peppercorns over the pork. Marinating the pork beforehand will make it more tender and flavorful.
Step 3
Add all the prepared seasoning ingredients to the marinated pork. This includes 2 Tbsp Gochujang, 2 Tbsp Gochugaru, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1/2 Tbsp Doenjang, and 2 Tbsp soy sauce. Mix everything well, ensuring the seasoning coats the pork evenly. Let it marinate for a bit to absorb the flavors.
Step 4
While the pork is marinating, chop the vegetables. Cut the potatoes into large chunks, and slice the onion and carrots into manageable pieces. Slice the chili peppers diagonally and cut the green onion into large sections. For Jjageuli, it’s best to cut the ingredients into larger pieces rather than small, delicate cuts, as this enhances their natural taste and texture.
Step 5
It’s time to start cooking! Heat 2 Tbsp of cooking oil and 2 Tbsp of sesame oil in a pot or a deep pan over medium heat. The addition of sesame oil will add a nutty aroma to the dish.
Step 6
Add the marinated pork to the heated pot. Stir-fry over high heat until the surface of the pork is lightly browned. Searing the pork first helps to lock in the juices.
Step 7
Once the pork is browned, pour in the 500ml of rice water. Using rice water instead of plain water gives the stew a richer and more savory broth. We highly recommend using rice water!
Step 8
After adding the rice water, immediately add all the prepared vegetables (onions, potatoes, carrots, chili peppers). Stir everything together gently to distribute the seasoning evenly throughout the pot.
Step 9
Now, cover the pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once it starts boiling vigorously, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes. Cook until the potatoes and pork are tender and the broth has thickened to your liking. Stir occasionally to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step 10
When the stew has thickened to your desired consistency and all the ingredients are cooked through, add the large pieces of green onion and simmer for another minute or two. This adds a fresh, aromatic finish. Serve the Jjageuli hot in a bowl. Adjust the seasoning with salt or soy sauce if needed. Enjoy this delicious and comforting Jjageuli with your meal tonight!
