Love this 15 Minute Korean Style Beef? Check out our other fabulous Korean Food Recipes!
Looking for a reliable weeknight meal that’s quick, budget-friendly, and big on flavor? This 15 Minute Korean Style Beef fits the bill. Fast to prepare and wildly satisfying, it’s become a family favorite for busy nights.
Slightly spicy and slightly sweet, this dish channels the flavors of Korean bulgogi without the time or cost of slicing tender cuts of steak. Ground beef keeps it affordable and cooks quickly, while a combination of garlic, ginger, soy, pear (or apple) juice, honey or sugar, and gochujang creates a sticky, savory sauce that clings to every bite. It’s perfect served over steaming rice with a simple vegetable side.
We usually pair it with Roasted Ginger Sesame Green Beans or Spicy Asian Broccoli, and sometimes add a fried egg and kimchi for a more authentic bowl-style meal. Leftovers are excellent, making this a great recipe to double for lunches or easy dinners later in the week.
Cook’s Notes
- Freeze ginger in 3–6 inch pieces. Grate as needed from frozen—no peeling required and no stringy bits.
- Gochujang adds the characteristic sweet-spicy Korean flavor. If you can’t find it, substitute chili garlic sauce, but the flavor will be slightly different.
- Adjust the gochujang amount to taste. Use less if you prefer mild heat and more if you like it spicy—both work well.
- For the sweet element, coconut sugar, brown sugar, or honey all work. Use what you have and prefer.
- Leftovers keep well for two to three days and often taste even better the next day. Only add garnishes to portions you plan to eat right away.
- Choose 90/10 ground beef for a leaner result; the dish still stays moist and flavorful.
- Unsweetened pear juice is traditional and authentic, but unsweetened apple juice is a fine substitute if pear juice isn’t available.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to avoid an overly salty finished dish.
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15 Minute Korean Style Beef
Rebecca Lindamood
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, plus extra for garnish
- 2 pounds 90/10 lean ground beef
- 8 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 2–3 inch piece fresh ginger, grated
- 1/3 cup honey (or brown sugar or coconut sugar)
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup unsweetened pear or apple juice
- 1 teaspoon to 3 tablespoons gochujang or chili garlic sauce (to taste)
For garnish and to serve:
- Hot cooked rice
- Green onions, trimmed and thinly sliced
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Heat the sesame oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and mostly cooked through. Drain excess fat and return the pan to medium-high heat.
- Add the garlic and grated ginger and stir-fry until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the soy sauce, pear or apple juice, honey or sugar, and gochujang. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the sauce reduces slightly and clings to the beef. Remove from heat and serve over rice. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and a small drizzle of toasted sesame oil if desired.
Nutritional information is an estimate. Calculate nutrition using the actual ingredients you use.
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More recipes using Gochujang:
Slow-Cooker Korean Style Barbecue Pork
Slow-Cooker Korean Beef Tacos
Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Mapo Dofu
Korean Miso and Honey Glazed Cod
If you liked 15 Minute Korean Style Beef, you might also like:
Asian Turkey Meatballs
Salty, Spicy, Sweet, and Sticky Asian Chicken
Grilled Chicken Peanut Asian Salad
Asian Lamb and Noodle Toss
