Name: Korean Style Pot Roast Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: PT-489457H52M49S
Total time: 7 h 20 min
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 3-4 lbs chuck roast; Salt and black pepper, to taste; ½ cup soy sauce; 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste); 3 tbsp sesame oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1-inch piece ginger, grated; 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar; ½ cup Korean pear or apple, grated; 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks; 2 potatoes, peeled and quartered; 1 onion, sliced; Optional: 1 Korean radish, sliced; Sliced green onions; Sesame seeds

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If you’re looking to impress with something cozy, flavorful, and wonderfully different, this Korean Style Pot Roast Recipe is a game changer. It’s that perfect dinner you can set and forget, then come back to tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef infused with rich Korean flavors. I’ve made it for casual family dinners and even special occasions—everyone just loves the sweet, spicy, and umami punch it delivers.

The magic lies in the sauce, blending savory soy, spicy gochujang, and a subtle sweetness from pear that’s just genius. If you’ve been curious about Korean flavors but don’t know where to start, this pot roast is a fantastic gateway. Plus, it’s so satisfying to serve a one-pot meal that feels gourmet without complicated steps. Trust me, you’ll want this Korean Style Pot Roast Recipe in your dinner rotation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe calls for simple, well-chosen ingredients that come together beautifully. The trick is balancing the beef’s richness with the tangy, spicy, and sweet sauce, so every component really plays its part.

Chuck roast: The marbling in chuck is perfect for slow cooking, making the meat juicy and tender.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning the beef before searing to lock in flavors.
Soy sauce: Provides a deep umami base—choose a good quality one for best taste.
Gochujang (Korean chili paste): Brings that subtle heat and complexity unique to Korean cooking.
Sesame oil: Adds a nutty aroma that elevates the dish’s flavor profile.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives a punchy, aromatic lift.
Ginger: Grated ginger gives a warm, slightly spicy zest that balances the richness.
Honey or brown sugar: Adds the just-right sweetness to contrast the savory sauce.
Korean pear or apple: Grated to add natural sweetness and tenderness—don’t skip this! If you can’t find a Korean pear, regular apple works fine.
Rice vinegar: Gives a subtle tang that brightens the sauce.
Carrots, potatoes, and onion: Classic vegetables that soak up the flavors and make the dish hearty.
Optional Korean radish: If you can find it, it’s a traditional touch with a mild, crisp texture.
Green onions and sesame seeds (for garnish): They add freshness and a little crunch.

Variations

I love that this Korean Style Pot Roast Recipe is flexible, so you can tweak it to suit your mood or dietary needs. Feel free to experiment—after all, recipes are just guidelines that should work for you.

Vegetarian twist: Swap the beef for hearty mushrooms like portobello or shiitake and double the veggies for an umami-packed vegetarian stew. I tried this once, and it totally satisfied even my meat-loving partner.
Spice level: Adjust the gochujang if you want more heat—some days I add extra chili flakes for a real kick!
Slow cooker friendly: This recipe is fantastic in a slow cooker too—just brown the meat, toss everything in, and cook on low for 8 hours. It’s virtually foolproof.

How to Make Korean Style Pot Roast Recipe

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chuck Roast

First things first, pat your chuck roast dry and season it liberally with salt and black pepper. This step might seem basic, but it’s the foundation of good flavor. Heat a bit of oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat, then sear the roast on all sides until it’s beautifully browned. Don’t rush this! The crust you develop here adds depth and locks in juices, ensuring a tender, flavorful roast later.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce Mix

While your beef is searing, combine soy sauce, gochujang, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, honey (or brown sugar), grated Korean pear or apple, and rice vinegar in a bowl. Give it a good whisk until everything’s well blended. This sauce is where your Korean Style Pot Roast Recipe gets its signature flavor—sweet, spicy, and tangy all at once.

Step 3: Assemble and Cook

Once the roast is browned, place your chopped veggies—carrots, potatoes, onion, and optional Korean radish—around the meat in the pot. Pour the sauce over everything, making sure the beef is nicely coated. Bring it up to a simmer, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook gently for about 3 to 4 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender. If you’re using a slow cooker, pop the seared roast and sauce in and cook on low for 8 hours.

How to Serve Korean Style Pot Roast Recipe

Korean Style Pot Roast Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

I always finish this pot roast with plenty of sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds—they add a fresh crunch and a toasty note that I just adore. The green onions pop against the rich sauce and bring some brightness to the plate.

Side Dishes

To round out the meal, I like serving this Korean Style Pot Roast Recipe with steamed white rice, which soaks up every bit of that amazing sauce. A side of kimchi or pickled vegetables adds a lovely contrast with their acidity and crunch. Sometimes, I even throw together a simple cucumber salad with vinegar and sesame for a refreshing bite.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love plating the pot roast with slices of beef arranged fan-style over rice, a drizzle of sauce, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds and green onion. You can even serve it family-style in a big Korean stone bowl for a warm, rustic touch that gets everyone digging in happily.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and find that the flavors deepen overnight, making the next day even tastier. Just make sure to cool it to room temperature before refrigerating to keep everything safe and fresh.

Freezing

This Korean Style Pot Roast Recipe freezes beautifully. If you have leftovers, pop them into a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, leaving some space for expansion. It’s great for meal prep, and when you thaw it, the meat stays tender and juicy.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to keep things moist, heating slowly until warm. This avoids drying out the beef, so it tastes almost as good as freshly made.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef for Korean Style Pot Roast Recipe?

Absolutely! While chuck roast is ideal due to its marbling and tenderness when slow-cooked, you can use brisket or round roast if that’s what you have. Just keep in mind cooking times might vary slightly to get that perfect tenderness.
What can I substitute for gochujang if I can’t find it?

If you don’t have gochujang on hand, you can mix a bit of chili paste or sriracha with a little miso paste or soy sauce to mimic its sweetness, spice, and depth. It won’t be exactly the same, but it will still give good flavor.
Is Korean pear necessary in the recipe?

Korean pear adds natural sweetness and tenderizes the meat, but if you can’t find it, a crisp apple is a great substitute. It’s worth including because it helps balance the savory and spicy elements beautifully.
Can I make this recipe in an instant pot?

Yes! You can brown the meat using the sauté function, then add everything else and pressure cook for about 60 minutes, followed by a natural release. It’s a great quicker option with similar results.
How spicy is Korean Style Pot Roast Recipe?

The heat level depends on how much gochujang you use. It’s typically mildly spicy with a touch of sweetness, so you can adjust to taste. For a milder version, use less gochujang or balance with extra honey.

Final Thoughts

This Korean Style Pot Roast Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it merges comforting home cooking with exciting, authentic flavors. It’s my go-to when I want to wow guests without fuss and when I need a hands-off meal that still tastes incredible. Give it a try—you’ll love how simple ingredients transform into something truly memorable.