Korean Beef
This Korean Beef is a quick version of the classic Asian dinner served over rice or in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option. You can make this easy Korean Beef in under 15 minutes!
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KOREAN BEEF RECIPE
Do you ever feel the overwhelming need to simplify? Lately I’ve felt the need to cut out all of the “stuff” we have going on and to get back to the basics in our home and in even in our dinners.
Nothing crazy or fancy – it’s not like my kids appreciate the fancy stuff anyway. I’ve found that the best meals to have in your recipe box are those that you usually have all the ingredients.
I love the flavor of the traditional way this beef is prepared but sometimes have issues with the texture of flank steak. Anyone else? I know that ground beef isn’t exactly traditional Korean fare but it’s cheaper and you’re more likely to have it on hand.
The flavors of this Korean Beef are spot on and blend together beautifully. It’s slightly sweet, slightly spicy…perfect.
This pairs well with steamed broccoli. I’m not a huge rice lover so if you want a low-carb option try eating this over a salad or cauliflower rice. It’s great!
OTHER ASIAN RECIPES
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
- One-Pan Coconut Curry and Rice
- Grilled Asian Salmon
- Asian Turkey Meatballs
- Egg Drop Soup
Korean Beef
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, (add more if you like it sweeter)
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce , (use coconut aminos or gluten-free soy sauce for a gluten-free option)
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil, (see note)
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced (see note)
- 1/2 - 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper, depending on how spicy you like it
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet brown beef over medium high heat. Add the garlic towards the end of browning and cook for a couple of minutes. Drain the fat.
- Add the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, salt and pepper and red pepper. Simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors. Serve over steamed rice and top with green onions. If going for a low carb option, it's great over lettuce too!
Notes
Very flavourful and delicious. Super easy to make and I usually have alllll the ingredients to make this without going to the store. My husband loves it and so does my 6 and 2 year old. I serve it over white rice. I add sesame seeds on top of the meat along with chopped green onions. I also add shredded carrots on top and some water bean sprouts. Top it off with a fried egg as well.
I love this super easy, favorable dish! I add steamed broccoli to the beef and top w/ chopped peanuts and sesame seeds.
Thank you!
This was so good! I didn’t have fresh ginger or garlic, so I used the powdered versions, plus shallot, and I browned up some finely chopped mushrooms with the meat. I also cut back a little on the sugar, but it was still pleasantly sweet for me. I served it with rice as well as lettuce for wraps, and my kids (2 and 6) inhaled it, and even loved it with the lettuce. Definitely a win, and I will add this to my rotation!
Thank you!
Wow! This was SO good! I am new to your blog- just stumbled upon it today.
I will definitely be making this again. The only changes I made were to use brown sugar Swerve and I skipped the red pepper flakes, because of my picky 12 year old son ( who had seconds!).
I added a little of Gochujang on mine… delish. Thanks for a wonderful recipe. Looking forward to many more.
Great substitutions! Glad you enjoyed it!
Absolutely delicious and easy recipe. It has become my hubby’s favorite dinner. We top it off w/a fried egg.
So happy to hear that!
I literally make this once a week. It’s so good and so fast during a busy weekday! Thank you!!!
thank you!
Quick easy meal!
HI, we love this recipe. thanks for sharing! I’m sure I missed it, but can’t seem to find the nutritional info?
It’s amazing, best with stir fry beef. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
I love this, it’s so easy to make and I always have leftovers🥰
Thank you!
I love this dish
So yummy and so simple! I’m so glad I made this recipe. I did add some gochugang as one reviewer suggested. And I added chopped peanuts on top along with the green onion. I served the beef on a lettuce cup with a small heap of white rice.
Thank you!!
What is gochugang?
It’s a Korean chili sauce/paste that has a co bination of spices, some sugar, rice wine etc
I have the one by O’Food and it’s good!
This is my favorite lazy day dinner. So delicious!
Thank you!!
Really enjoyed making this, eating it was even better thank you, it’s now a new family fave
Thank you!!
Would like to know if I did use skirt steak, because I was given one, would I do the same as you did with the ground beef?
Yes totally
Has anyone tried making rice bowls with this and freezing them?
This is one of our favorite recipes! We make it regularly for meals and it’s a go-to when we are hosting friends or family. We are looking for meals we can prepare ahead of time for an easy freezer to microwave option and would love if this one worked.
This is a grat recipe. I have substituted agave or honey for.thr brown sugar though….because that’s what I had on hand.
So glad you liked it!
Delicious! Great meal if you are in a hurry. I used ground pork and elk, 50/50/sesame and Mongolian Fire Oil and Shredded Carrot. Took longer to cook the rice then prep and cook time of the meat. Definitely a keeper recipe!
Glad you liked it!
Very quick and easy
Thank you!
So easy and so very good.
Quick to prepare also.
Loved it. Thank you 🙂
You’re welcome
Can I use low sodium soy sauce for this recipe? Not a health concern, it’s just what I have on hand lol
Yes!
This is an all time favorite. Easy and quick. Fresh ginger is my favorite in this. Use Trader Joe’s vegetable fried rice instead of white.
This is so good. I tried it when a friend made it and being the avid cook I am, I had to “fix” it. Really there’s nothing to fix because it’s fab but if you want to take it to the next level, fry up a large onion with the beef and add a heaped tablespoon of gochugang (more if you like it hotter). Top with toasted sesame seeds too. We serve it bibimbap style with ban Chan like Korean carrots, mushrooms, spinach, cucumber and bean sprout side dishes and sometimes with a fried egg on top! Rice underneath of course.
So so good!! This recipe was so delicious my wife thinks I’m the Iron Chef now. Meanwhile it was super simple and easy to follow. Thank you 🙂
Haha awesome!
Loved it! Was very delicious.
Can I also try it with chicken cutlass?
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
This has become a staple in our house. I make if often when my sister and niece come to dinner. Even my pickiest eater loves it.
Checking the recipe again as my niece requested I make this for her birthday dinner this week.
The only adjustment I make is I lower the spice. We have a very low spice tolerance between me and my kids. I use a small amount of crushed pepper and I grind it to work away the clumps. My husband loves spice, so he adds tapatio before eating.
Enjoy!
Thank you!
Thanks for a great, quick recipe! This was a hit and will be on regular rotation from now on (loved that it was easy to convert to gluten-free as well).
Thank you!
Hi I hope this finds you well. I have made this recipe now twice. I did make it larger though. I have now served this meal to 200 of our closest friends that are experiencing homelessness
Even cooking it for 100 people at a time this is a nice easy recipe. I appreciate it and everybody loved it
Oh wow, you are so kind to do that
Please share how you served this with rice (or whatever)…I’d like to make this for a party of 60+ guests and am not sure how to keep the rice warm…..
My weekly Go- to. So easy. Very flavorful as written.
I typically double all the ingredients except for the ground beef.
Sometimes I use pork chops or meatballs instead of ground beef.
Awesome to hear!
Any recommendation on what oil to use if sesame oil causes migraines?
It just adds flavor. you can use any oil
This is an absolute favorite in our house! I make it several times a month and I always double the recipe to make sure we have leftovers. I recently tried it with ground chicken and added some chopped green beans and matchstick carrots! It’s so quick and easy and always get eaten! Thank you!
Thank you!
I make this fairly often to go over jasmine rice and alongside steamed broccoli. I usually double the recipe and add chili pepper paste instead of flakes for extra kick. It’s delish and satisfying without being too heavy. It keeps well and makes for great leftovers if your family people will eat leftovers. Mine won’t, but I will, more for me! 😉
Thank you!
I have 1 lb of hamburger in my fridge and ask my husband what he wants for dinner. I said chili, hamburger soup, tacos….. he said that Asian spicy meat stuff you put on rice. He loves this recipe!!! I make it at least once one twice a month for the last 3 years. Don’t know why I am only posting a comment now. Thanks for the great recipe.
Haha that’s funny! Thank you for posting a comment!
I hate asians food but this taste like creamy and yum yum!!
Love making this. I have it bookmarked and I also share it with my friends when they’re looking for inspiration.
Thank you!
This meal was so simple but soooo tasty!! The sauce was incredible! It’ll be a staple recipe in my house for sure 🙂
Hi. I make this for dinner at least once a week and it’s always a hit.
Thank you for an easy, delicious and satisfying recipe! ♥️
You’re welcome!
I just made this last night and it was a hit with my whole family! I doubled the recipe. I added in shredded carrots and was pretty generous with the crushed red pepper flakes, as we like the heat! I served it over sticky rice. I shared your link on my FB page and lots of “likes” and shares!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Does the nutrition facts for this include the rice or without rice?
Without rice
We’ve made this a few times and it’s a hit! Even the picky kid likes it.
Yay!
So happy you liked it!
Combine 1 tablespoon agar powder with 1 tablespoon water.
Recepies like this get me so excited. This was truly good. Made as is, and it was simple. Served with Jasmine rice and egg rolls. Fills you up fast. It’s a keeper.
Thank yoU!
This is a grand slam – Quick, easy, inexpensive, and really good! I added thinly sliced white onion and shredded carrot to the beef after it was nearly browned. I served over jasmine rice and topped the dish with cilantro, thinly sliced jalapeño, and green onion. This will be added to a regular rotation at our home!
Yay!
So good, so easy – even my littles like it! Although I go light on the red pepper flakes for them. Tomorrow I’m going to try adding some red pepper to it.
Yes good call
This is delicious. Calling it slightly spicy is misleading though. It’s pretty spicy but I will definitely make it again and again just with less spice.
I guess we all have different tastebuds
Hi, do you think it is ok to use ground turkey instead?
Yes, of course.
Love Korean food….or about anything asian. I plan on making this and making it low carb by adding the brown sugar substitute Swerve. Sounds yummy!
Yes! Great idea
amazing recipe! i didn’t have ginger, but other than that it was delicious. when adding the brown sugar, i recommend sprinkling it (like you would salt) so that way the sugar gets an even coating on the beef. my family loved it.
THanks Sierra!
OMG! The hardest part of this meal was waiting for the rice. Next time I’ll use instant rice. I used leftover ground beef I had from making meat pies so seriously was a matter of 5 minutes to heat the beef mixture up. I added extra brown sugar and pepper flakes. Hubs absolutely LOVED it! Definitely a keeper.
So happy you liked it!
Best recipe ever!!! Family favorite for sure. So easy to make. Can make a lot for a big family if you just double the recipe!
Thank you!
Thank you so much. I am doing meal planning for my
daughter who is a single parent of 3 beautiful children. I am borrowing some of your recipes.
What a nice mother you are. What a gift!
This looks delicious and easy! Can I substitute Ground turkey for the beef?
Of course!
This is a terrific recipe, easy and delicious. I serve it in bowls over rice, then top with shredded lettuce and chopped peanuts. I like to add a can of drained, chopped water chestnuts for crunch.
Thanks for your feedback.