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Spicy pork with sambal oelek sauce served over rice with spinach, carrots, and green onions

Spicy Pork with Sambal Oelek Sauce and Rice Recipe

Spicy pork with sambal oelek sauce and rice is a quick, flavorful bowl featuring tender thin-sliced pork, a bold spicy-sweet coating, and fresh vegetable sides. It is a great weeknight meal when you want a satisfying dinner with fast skillet cooking.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinating Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings (4
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Korean-Inspired
Calories: 274
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons hot chili paste
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and finely grated
  • 1 garlic clove, finely grated
Pork
  • 1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin, very thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Serving
  • 1 1/2 cups rice, uncooked
  • 2 carrots, sliced into coins
  • 3 cups spinach, cooked down
  • 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Combine the hot chili paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic in a jar and shake until blended.
  2. Pour the sauce over the sliced pork and allow it to rest for 20 minutes – 1 hour.
Cooking
  1. Heat a searing skillet over high heat and add a small amount of vegetable oil.
  2. When the oil is hot, arrange the pork in a single layer, working in batches if needed.
  3. Cook the pork without moving it for 1-2 minutes until browned, then turn the slices and cook the other side until finished.
Serving
  1. Serve the cooked spicy pork with rice, carrots, spinach, and sliced green onions.

Notes

For the bowl extras, serve the pork with rice and sautéed carrots and greens. Cook the rice according to package directions. Add the carrots and greens to the pan after the pork cooks to use the flavorful bits left behind. A very hot pan helps create a browned sear quickly, while avoiding extended cooking keeps the pork tender. To make thin slices easier, briefly firm the pork tenderloin in the freezer before cutting and use a sharp knife. The hot oil can splatter during cooking, so protect your hands and clothing. A cast iron pan may need some care afterward.