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Korean Beef
Korean beef comes together quickly with only a handful of easy-to-find ingredients for a dish that’s hearty, flavorful, and oh-so-simple.
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This Korean beef recipe comes together quickly with just a handful of ingredients and only five simple steps! This savory dish is a delicious combination of garlic, ginger, soy, and spice that perfectly coats tender ground beef. Serve it over rice for a meal that will leave you full and satisfied.
Korean Beef Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sesame oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- ½ teaspoon ginger paste
- ½ cup soy sauce, lite
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Substitutions and Additions
TOPPINGS: Try adding sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top for some extra flavor.
RICE: This great recipe is best served over rice. Any type of white, brown, or jasmine rice would work!
GINGER PASTE: You can substitute fresh ginger instead of ginger paste. The paste dissolves really easily so it blends well with the other ingredients.
MEAT: You can also try ground pork, ground turkey, or ground chicken for an equally delicious dish.
How to Make This Korean Beef Recipe
STEP ONE: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink and is cooked through.
PRO TIP: You can also use plain cooked ground beef in this recipe. If you do, heat it over medium-high heat with sesame oil, then move on to Step Two when it’s hot.
STEP TWO: Add garlic paste to the skillet and brown for an additional minute.
PRO TIP: Keep an eye on the garlic, stirring it often, as it can burn quickly.
STEP THREE: Then add ginger paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, 2 tablespoons of sliced green onions, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the skillet. Sauté until the sauce is bubbly and the beef is evenly coated.
STEP FOUR: Garnish with additional green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
STEP FIVE: Serve beef mixture immediately over rice.
How To Serve
Korean beef is a quick and satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy nights. Serve it over fresh, hot rice with a side of vegetables, like sliced cucumber or steamed broccoli. On its own or with sides, this dish is hearty and satisfying.
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: You can store leftover Korean beef in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
IN THE FREEZER: Leftovers can also be stored in the freezer. Place the cooled beef in a freezer bag and freeze it for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge before reheating and serving.
REHEATING INSTRUCTIONS: Reheat individual portions of Korean beef in the microwave in a reheatable bowl.
With only 5 simple steps, this recipe is the perfect thing to whip up on a busy night when you need something delicious and satisfying. Served over rice, this dish is full of flavor and incredibly tasty!
FAQ:
Q? Is Korean beef spicy?
A: As this recipe calls for chili flakes, it has a small bit of spice in it. If you don’t want any spice, you can skip it entirely or add more if you like spicy food.
Q? Does Korean beef freeze well?
A: This recipe freezes very well! Make a double batch and freeze half of it for a fast meal in the future.
Q? What do I serve with Korean beef?
A: This dish can be served over rice or noodles with a variety of vegetables. Sliced cucumber, steamed broccoli, napa cabbage, and sliced carrots would all be delicious with this recipe.
Korean Beef
Korean beef comes together quickly with only a handful of easy-to-find ingredients for a dish that’s hearty, flavorful, and oh-so-simple.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- ½ teaspoon ginger paste
- ½ cup soy sauce light
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons green onions finely sliced, plus more for garnish
Optional Toppings
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 2 cups cooked white rice for serving
Instructions
- In a 12-inch skillet, brown ground beef and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil until meat is no longer pink and is cooked through.
- Add garlic paste to the skillet and brown for an additional minute.
- Add ginger paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, 2 tablespoons of sliced green onions, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the skillet. Saute until sauce is bubbly and meat is evenly seasoned with the sauce.
- Garnish with additional green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
- Serve immediately over rice.
Notes
If you are planning to serve this over rice, start cooking the rice before you start browning the beef because this recipe cooks very fast.
This is a great recipe to make ahead of time. You can either prep all of the ingredients and store them in the fridge in separate containers to make later in the week, or you can make the recipe and freeze it for later.
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