This Korean Style Pot Roast is a rich and flavorful dish that combines tender, slow-cooked beef with the bold flavors of gochujang paste, soy sauce, and ginger. The dish is ideal for a cozy family meal and can be prepared in the oven, slow cooker, or Instant Pot for ultimate convenience. Serve it with rice, cilantro, and kimchi to complete the experience and bring some Korean-inspired flavors to your dinner table.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 (3-4 lb) beef chuck roast

• 1 ½ teaspoons salt

• 2 tablespoons oil

• 1 onion, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

• 2 tablespoons gochujang paste (Korean chili paste)

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• ¼ cup soy sauce

• 2 cups beef stock, divided

• Rice, cilantro, and kimchi for serving

Directions

Oven Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) with a rack in the lower third.

2. Season the beef with salt and heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

3. In the same Dutch oven, cook onions over medium heat until softened (about 4 minutes). Add garlic, ginger, gochujang paste, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Stir to combine, then add the beef and its juices back into the pot.

4. Add 1 ½ cups beef stock and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and cover. Transfer to the oven and cook for 2 hours, until the beef is tender and shreds easily.

5. Serve the pot roast with rice, cilantro, and kimchi.

Slow Cooker Method:

1. After browning the beef and cooking the onions, transfer both to a slow cooker. Add the garlic, ginger, gochujang paste, brown sugar, soy sauce, and remaining beef stock.

2. Cover and cook on HIGH for 6 hours or LOW for 8-9 hours until the beef is tender and shreds easily.

3. Serve as above.

Instant Pot Method:

1. Follow the same steps to brown the beef and cook the aromatics. Then, add all ingredients to the Instant Pot.

2. Select the Sauté mode and cook for 10-20 minutes. Close the lid, seal the vent, and cook on Pressure Cook for 1 hour.

3. Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then quick-release. Serve as above.

Nutritional Information (estimated per serving)

• Calories: 450-550 kcal

• Protein: 40g

• Fat: 30g

  • Saturated Fat: 10g

• Carbohydrates: 10g

  • Sugar: 6g

• Sodium: 1000-1200mg

The Beef: Tender and Flavorful

The star of the Korean Style Pot Roast is the beef chuck roast, which is known for its rich marbling and tenderness when slow-cooked. This cut of meat becomes incredibly soft and juicy, making it perfect for braising methods. Whether using the oven, slow cooker, or Instant Pot, the slow cooking process allows the beef to absorb the flavors of the sauce, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Browning the beef before cooking it helps to develop a deeper flavor through the Maillard reaction, which gives the meat a rich, savory crust. This step is crucial for building the base flavors of the dish, ensuring that the pot roast is not only tender but also flavorful throughout.

The Bold, Savory Sauce: Gochujang and Soy Sauce

The sauce for this Korean Style Pot Roast is what truly sets it apart. A combination of gochujang paste, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic creates a vibrant, umami-packed flavor profile with a touch of heat. Gochujang is a Korean chili paste made from fermented soybeans, red chili peppers, and glutinous rice. Its smoky, slightly sweet, and spicy flavor makes it an essential component in Korean cooking, and it adds depth and complexity to the dish.

Soy sauce contributes savory umami and saltiness, balancing the heat from the gochujang and enhancing the beef’s natural flavors. Fresh ginger and garlic provide an aromatic punch that complements the richness of the beef, while brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness to round out the flavors. Together, these ingredients form a perfectly balanced sauce that coats the beef and infuses it with layers of savory, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors.

Cooking Methods: Versatile and Convenient

This Korean Style Pot Roast can be made in three different ways, depending on your preferences and available time.

Oven Method:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Using a Dutch oven, brown the beef on all sides to develop a flavorful crust.

• Once the beef is browned, sauté onions in the same pot until softened, then add garlic, ginger, gochujang paste, brown sugar, and soy sauce. This mixture is simmered before adding the beef back into the pot with beef stock.

• The pot is then covered and transferred to the oven to cook for 2 hours, resulting in tender, shreddable beef.

Slow Cooker Method:

• After browning the beef and sautéing the onions, transfer both to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients, cover, and cook on HIGH for 6 hours or LOW for 8-9 hours.

• This method allows the beef to cook slowly, ensuring it becomes very tender and easily shreddable. It’s a hands-off cooking process, making it perfect for busy days.

Instant Pot Method:

• For a quicker version, brown the beef and sauté the aromatics, then transfer everything to the Instant Pot. After a quick sauté, use the Pressure Cook setting and cook for just 1 hour.

• This method significantly reduces cooking time while still producing a tender and flavorful pot roast, making it ideal for those who need a faster dinner option.

Serving Suggestions: A Complete Meal

This Korean Style Pot Roast is best served with rice, which helps absorb the rich, savory sauce. A side of kimchi adds a traditional Korean touch, offering a tangy, fermented contrast that balances the richness of the beef. Fresh cilantro adds a burst of color and a refreshing, slightly citrusy note to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

You can also serve the pot roast with steamed vegetables or a simple salad for a well-rounded meal. The rice and kimchi, in particular, provide a perfect balance to the hearty beef, creating a satisfying and complete dining experience.

Conclusion

Korean Style Pot Roast is a rich, flavorful, and versatile dish that is sure to become a favorite at your dinner table. Whether you choose to make it in the oven, slow cooker, or Instant Pot, the slow-cooked beef absorbs the bold flavors of gochujang, soy sauce, and ginger, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth, savory meal. Served with rice, kimchi, and cilantro, it offers a satisfying and wholesome experience with Korean-inspired flavors that everyone will love. Perfect for cozy family dinners or special occasions, this dish brings depth, comfort, and deliciousness to your table.