How to Make the Perfect Samgyeopsal
Korean · Easy · 25 min · 4 servings
Samgyeopsal is a beloved Korean grilled pork belly dish that kids absolutely love for its fun interactive cooking experience. Parents can make this kid friendly meal at home with simple ingredients and let children dip the meat in sesame oil.
Why this recipe works
This Samgyeopsal recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 25 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 520 calories with 28g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 600 g pork belly slices
- 1 head butter lettuce
- 3 cloves garlic sliced
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Separate lettuce leaves and wash thoroughly then pat dry. Slice garlic thinly and mix sesame oil with salt and pepper in a small dipping bowl.
Step 2: Heat the Pan
Heat a heavy skillet or grill pan over medium high heat until very hot. No oil is needed as pork belly releases its own fat during cooking.
Step 3: Grill the Pork
Place pork belly slices in the hot pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and slightly crispy at the edges. Add garlic slices to the pan and cook until golden.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
Cut grilled pork into bite sized pieces using scissors. Place a piece of pork and garlic into a lettuce leaf and dip into the sesame oil mixture before eating.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- pork belly → thinly sliced pork shoulder
- butter lettuce → perilla leaves or cabbage leaves
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Cooking pork belly on low heat which causes steaming instead of grilling
- Overcrowding the pan which prevents proper browning and crisping
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 520 calories, 28g protein, 4g carbs, 44g fat, 1g fiber.
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