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This hearty Korean sausage stir-fry has become my weeknight savior when I need something delicious and satisfying in just 15 minutes. The combination of juicy sausages with the sweet and spicy sauce creates a perfect harmony of flavors that pairs beautifully with steamed rice.
I first discovered this recipe when looking for quick Korean-inspired dishes to serve with leftover rice. My family now requests it regularly and I love how easily I can adjust the spice level depending on who's joining us for dinner.
Ingredients
- Korean style Vienna Sausages or Mini Cocktail Sausages: These provide the perfect bite sized protein with excellent texture. Their smaller size allows them to absorb the sauce beautifully.
- Bell peppers: Adds wonderful color crunch and natural sweetness. Use any colors you prefer or a combination for a visually stunning dish.
- Onion: Creates an aromatic base that infuses the entire dish. Choose sweet onions for a milder flavor profile.
- Garlic: Essential for authentic Korean flavor. Fresh minced garlic is always preferred over pre minced for the best aromatic quality.
- Ketchup: Forms the base of the sauce with its tangy sweetness. Use a quality brand for best results.
- Gochujang: This Korean chili paste provides the signature heat and depth. Adjust amount based on your spice preference.
- Honey: Balances the heat with natural sweetness. High quality honey will give the best flavor.
- Soy sauce: Adds umami and saltiness. Look for naturally brewed varieties for superior taste.
- Sesame oil: Provides that distinctive nutty finish. Always use pure toasted sesame oil for authentic flavor.
- Sugar: Helps caramelize the sauce for a glossy finish. Regular white sugar works perfectly.
- Sesame seeds: Optional garnish that adds visual appeal and subtle crunch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the sausages:
- Score each mini sausage with 3–5 shallow cuts on one side only. This allows the sausage to cook more evenly and helps the sauce penetrate the meat. Be careful not to cut too deeply as you want the sausages to maintain their shape during cooking. I find grouping 4 sausages together makes this process much faster.
- Mix the sauce:
- Combine ketchup gochujang honey soy sauce sesame oil and sugar in a small bowl until fully integrated. The sauce should have a glossy appearance with a beautiful reddish hue. Make sure all the sugar is dissolved for the best texture. This can be done ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Sauté the aromatics:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add onions and garlic and stir continuously for 30 seconds until fragrant. The goal is to soften them slightly without browning which would introduce bitter flavors.
- Cook the vegetables:
- Add bell peppers to the pan and stir fry for an additional 30 seconds. The peppers should remain crisp tender offering textural contrast to the final dish. Their natural sweetness will begin to release into the oil enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Add the sausages:
- Introduce the scored sausages to the pan and stir fry for 1 minute to begin browning. Cover the pan with a lid and allow to cook for 3 minutes. The steam created inside the pan will help cook the sausages evenly while maintaining their juiciness. The scoring will allow them to plump up beautifully.
- Finish with sauce:
- Pour the prepared sauce over everything and mix thoroughly to coat all ingredients. Allow the sauce to bubble slightly for about 30 seconds until it thickens and becomes glossy. The sugars will begin to caramelize creating a beautiful sheen. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired before serving immediately.
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The gochujang is really the star ingredient in this recipe. I discovered its magical flavor transforming abilities a few years ago when experimenting with Korean cooking and now keep a tub in my refrigerator at all times. My children who normally shy away from spicy foods happily devour this dish when I use the mild version.
Perfect Pairing Options
This Korean sausage stir fry pairs beautifully with steamed white rice which soaks up the flavorful sauce. For a complete Korean inspired meal serve alongside simple banchan side dishes like kimchi quick pickled cucumbers or spinach namul. The dish also works wonderfully as part of a larger spread for Korean BBQ nights at home providing a perfect contrast to grilled meats.
Easy Customizations
The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility. Feel free to swap the bell peppers for other vegetables like broccoli florets snap peas or sliced carrots. For a spicier version add a teaspoon of gochugaru Korean red pepper flakes along with the sauce. You can also use regular hot dogs sliced smoked sausages or even plant based alternatives for a vegetarian version while maintaining the same cooking technique.
Make Ahead Tips
While this dish comes together quickly on the stovetop you can prep all components ahead of time to make dinner even faster. Score the sausages mix the sauce and chop all vegetables up to 24 hours in advance storing everything separately in the refrigerator. When ready to cook simply follow the stir frying steps for a nearly instant meal. The fully cooked dish reheats beautifully in the microwave making it perfect for packed lunches.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What type of sausage works best for this dish?
Korean-style Vienna sausages, mini cocktail sausages, or sliced smoked bratwurst, knockwurst, or frankfurters work perfectly for this dish.
- → Can I adjust the spice level in the sauce?
Yes, adjust the gochujang based on your preference. Use mild gochujang for less spice and hot gochujang for more heat.
- → How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a pan with a tablespoon of water or microwave until hot.
- → What vegetables can I use as substitutes?
If bell peppers are unavailable, you can use carrots, broccoli, or snap peas as substitutes for a colorful and flavorful stir fry.
- → Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can substitute sausages with vegetarian alternatives like tofu, tempeh, or plant-based sausages for a vegetarian version.
- → What can I serve alongside this dish?
This stir fry pairs well with steamed jasmine or sticky rice, or you can serve it with stir-fried noodles for a complete meal.