Gochujang Pork & Zucchini Bowls

A fast Korean-inspired rice bowl with savory-spicy ground pork and peak-season Washington zucchini in a glossy gochujang sauce.

Ingredients

  • Ground Pork
    8 oz $2.99
  • Zucchini
    12 oz $1.79
  • Dynasty® Jasmine Rice
    1/2 cup dry $3.69
  • Water
    2/3 cup
  • Green Onions
    2 $1.19
  • Garlic
    2 cloves
  • Fresh ginger
    2 teaspoons grated
  • Gochujang
    1 1/2 tablespoons
  • Low-sodium soy sauce
    1 1/2 tablespoons
  • Rice vinegar
    2 teaspoons
  • Honey
    2 teaspoons
  • Toasted sesame oil
    1 teaspoon
  • Neutral cooking oil
    2 teaspoons
  • Sesame seeds
    1 teaspoon
  • Charles Smith Wines Kungfu Girl Riesling Washington White Wine
    1 bottle $12.99

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1/2 cup dry jasmine rice. Combine the 1/2 cup rinsed jasmine rice and 2/3 cup water in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, cover, and cook over low heat for 15 minutes; remove from the heat and rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
  2. While the rice cooks, slice 12 ounces zucchini into 1/2-inch half-moons, mince 2 cloves garlic, grate 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, and thinly slice 2 green onions. Whisk together 1 1/2 tablespoons gochujang, 1 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 2 teaspoons rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons honey, and 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil.
  3. Heat 1 teaspoon neutral cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 12 ounces sliced zucchini and stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes until browned but still crisp; transfer the 12 ounces zucchini to a plate.
  4. Add 1 teaspoon neutral cooking oil and 8 ounces ground pork to the skillet. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking the 8 ounces ground pork into small pieces, until browned and it reaches 160°F; add the 2 minced garlic cloves and 2 teaspoons grated ginger, then cook for 30 seconds.
  5. Pour the prepared gochujang sauce into the skillet and return the 12 ounces cooked zucchini. Stir-fry for 2 minutes, until the sauce is glossy and coats the pork and zucchini.
  6. Divide the rice cooked from 1/2 cup dry jasmine rice between two bowls, spoon the stir-fry over it, and finish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds.

Total time: 35 minutes

Estimated cost: About $8–$11 for 2 servings

Health notes: Approximately 620 calories per serving, with about 27 grams of protein and a generous serving of zucchini.

Drink pairing: An off-dry Riesling cools the gochujang heat and complements the sweet-savory pork.

Wine picks:

  • Charles Smith Wines Kungfu Girl Riesling Washington White Wine $12.99 1 bottle
  • Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling $8.99 1 bottle

Why it works: The dish’s gochujang heat, honeyed glaze, ginger, and sesame call for refreshing acidity with a touch of sweetness. Kung Fu Girl offers a lively, aromatic Washington Riesling that cools the spice without overwhelming the pork; the sweeter Pacific Rim is an especially friendly alternative if the sauce is generously spicy.