Description
This easy and delicious Korean Beef recipe features tender ground beef cooked in a savory and slightly sweet marinade made from simple pantry ingredients. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive dish to share with friends. The dish offers authentic Korean flavors with the perfect balance of umami, sweetness, and a touch of spice, finished with fresh green onions and optional red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Marinade
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 mix)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free option)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup for natural sweetness)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Finishing Ingredients
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
- Cilantro leaves (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Whisk together until the sugar dissolves, creating a balanced marinade that infuses the beef with savory sweetness.
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into pieces with a spatula, until no longer pink and it develops a nice brown crust, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add the Marinade: Pour the prepared marinade over the cooked beef. Stir to combine and continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, letting the sauce reduce slightly and flavors concentrate into the meat.
- Finish with Green Onions and Spice: Once the beef is fully cooked and coated in sauce, toss in sliced green onions and red pepper flakes if using. Mix well to add a fresh and slightly spicy finish.
Notes
- Use fresh ginger and garlic for vibrant flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook beef in batches if needed to brown properly.
- Allow cooked beef to rest off heat for a minute or two to let flavors meld.
- Serve immediately while warm for best taste.
- Adjust sweetness and saltiness by tasting and tweaking soy sauce or sugar amounts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg