Korean Beef

This Korean beef recipe comes together fast with ground beef, soy sauce, and brown sugar for big flavor. Serve it over rice for an easy weeknight dinner everyone loves.

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Whip up this Korean beef for a fast and flavorful dinner everyone will crave. You only need a few pantry staples. It cooks in one skillet and tastes better than takeout. Add rice, and dinner comes together in only twenty minutes.

This easy recipe walks you through every step with clear directions and step-by-step photos. Be sure to check out the pro tips and tricks so it turns out great every time. We also answer the most frequently asked questions to help you make it with confidence.

You can make this Korean beef recipe in just twenty minutes using one skillet and simple ingredients. It’s bold, sweet, and perfect for quick family dinners or busy weeknights.

The beef cooks fast and tastes amazing over rice or noodles. It’s also great for potlucks, parties, or meal prep during the week.

What you'll need to make this Korean ground beef recipe:

• 1 pound of lean ground beef (90%)
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, divided
• 1 teaspoon of garlic paste
• ½ teaspoon of ginger paste
• ½ cup of soy sauce, light
• ½ cup of light brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons of green onions, finely sliced, plus more for garnish
• 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds, optional garnish
• 2 cups of cooked white rice, for serving

Make your Korean beef recipe your own by switching up ingredients or tossing in simple extras! These swaps add fun, fresh flavor:

• Substitute Brown Sugar: Use honey or maple syrup if you're out of brown sugar but still want that sweet kick.
• Add Sesame Seeds: Toss toasted sesame seeds on top before serving for crunch and flavor.
• Substitute Soy Sauce: Use tamari or coconut aminos if you want a different depth of saltiness.
• Add Shredded Carrots: Stir in carrots for extra texture, color, and a mild sweetness that pairs well with the sauce.

Follow our step-by-step instructions and photos to make the best Korean ground beef at home. Use the tips and tricks listed below for extra help. Let’s get started and cook this quick, flavorful dinner together!

FIRST STEP: In a large skillet, brown ground beef and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink and is cooked through. Do not drain the grease unless you have more than 2–3 tablespoons in the pan.

SECOND STEP: Add the garlic paste to the skillet and brown for an additional minute.

THIRD STEP: 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 cooked beef is evenly seasoned with the sauce.

FOURTH STEP: Garnish with additional green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.

FIFTH STEP: Serve the beef mixture immediately over rice.

You can serve this Korean beef recipe so many fun ways! It works great for weeknights, potlucks, and even picky eaters.

• Easy Weeknight Dinner: This meal cooks fast and keeps everyone full and happy. Kids love the sweet sauce, and leftovers reheat well for tomorrow. Pair it with fried rice or homemade crab Rangoon egg rolls.
• Potluck or Party Dish: Serve it buffet-style with rice, toppings, and sides so guests can build their own bowls. It goes great with crab Rangoon dip or Asian cucumber salad.
• Cozy Fall or Winter Meal: This warm and saucy beef tastes amazing on a chilly night. It’s fast comfort food that pairs well with lo mein or spicy ramen.

Korean beef has become a favorite for good reason. It’s quick, flavorful, and fits perfectly into busy family life. You don’t need fancy ingredients or extra time to make it shine.

This Korean beef and rice recipe keeps things simple with easy steps and basic pantry ingredients. You only need one skillet and about twenty minutes, which makes it a lifesaver on hectic nights. The sweet and savory sauce also gets a big thumbs-up from kids, so no one complains at the table.

It’s a smart pick for families since ground beef, rice, and sauce feed a crowd without blowing your budget. Leftovers reheat well, so you can double the batch and save time tomorrow. You can also mix things up with extra veggies or spice, depending on what you’ve got on hand.

Korean beef checks all the boxes for fast, fun, and fuss-free cooking!

Do I need to brown the ground beef before adding the sauce?
Yes, always brown the ground beef first so the sauce sticks and the meat gets the best texture and flavor.

How do I know when the beef is fully cooked?
You’ll know the ground beef is done when there’s no pink left, and it breaks apart easily while stirring.

What kind of rice works best with Korean beef?
White rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice all work well with Korean beef. Just use whatever you already have.

Can I use fresh garlic and ginger instead of powders?
Yes, fresh garlic and ginger work great. Add them while browning the beef to boost flavor fast.

What’s the best way to serve Korean beef?
Spoon the beef over hot rice and top it with green onions and sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch. Korean sesame beef works great for packed lunches in a thermos with rice, since it stays warm and tastes just as good. For parties or potlucks serve Korean beef in a slow cooker on warm with a bowl of rice, so guests can scoop their own. It’s a crowd-pleaser that fits casual dinners, birthdays, or holiday meals with its bold flavor and easy prep.

Can I serve Korean beef in lettuce wraps?
Yes, scoop Korean beef into crisp lettuce leaves for a fun, handheld option that’s great for parties or light dinners.

Follow the directions, tips, and tricks below to store your Korean beef the right way. You'll keep the beef fresh and ready for easy meals later. These simple storage steps make it easy to plan ahead without losing flavor or texture.

How long can I keep leftover Korean beef in the fridge?
Store leftover Korean beef in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to four days.

Can I freeze cooked Korean beef for later?
Yes, place cooked Korean beef in a sealed container and freeze it for up to three months.

What’s the best way to thaw frozen Korean beef?
Move the frozen beef to the fridge and let it thaw overnight before reheating.

How should I reheat Korean beef after thawing?
Reheat it in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, stirring often for even cooking.

Can I microwave Korean beef to reheat it?
Yes, microwave it in thirty-second bursts, stirring between each one to heat it evenly without overcooking.

Korean Beef

This Korean beef recipe comes together fast with ground beef, soy sauce, and brown sugar for big flavor. Serve it over rice for an easy weeknight dinner everyone loves.

Did you try this recipe?Let our readers know how it turned out by Leaving a Review!

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Beef, Dinner, Easy Dinner Recipes

Cuisine American, Asian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 568 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef (90%)
• 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)

DIRECTIONS

 

• In a 12-inch skillet, brown ground beef and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil until the meat is no longer pink and is cooked through. Do not drain the grease unless you have more than 2-3 tablespoons in the pan.
• 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

• We recommend using 90% lean ground beef. If you are using less lean beef (70%-80%), you may find you have more grease in the pan. If you do, you will want to drain the grease, leaving only 2-3 tablespoons.
• 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 568kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1710mg | Potassium: 459mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 4mg

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