Easy Korean Beef combines ground beef with garlic and ginger in a slightly spicy sweet, and savory sauce, all topped with thin slices of green onion and toasted sesame seeds. I love to serve these Korean rice bowls with brown or white rice with fresh vegetables like broccoli and red bell peppers. This dish is easy to prepare, tastes delicious, and is accessible on a budget.
If you like this recipe, then you must try my beef bulgogi. Beef Bulgogi is a Korean dish with thin slices of steak marinated to perfection and grilled over high heat, producing delectable, crispy edges on tender slices of beef.
How to make Korean Beef
Start by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat. Drain any excess grease and add sesame oil when it is almost completely browned. Continue cooking until the Beef is completely browned. Then reduce the heat to low and add the garlic and ginger. Cook for 1 minute while stirring constantly.
Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for a few minutes while stirring. Serve over steamed brown or white rice and top with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Helpful Recipe Tips
- This recipe also works with ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground pork.
- l like to use ginger paste. 1 tablespoon of paste equals 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger. Always store it in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to a month.
- To toast sesame seeds, add them to a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook until fragrant and golden brown, stirring or shaking the skillet frequently.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
What to serve with Korean Beef Bowls
- Appetizer – bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, gyoza, crab rangoon, coconut shrimp
- Soup – beef short rib soup, egg drop soup, hot and sour soup, wonton soup
- Starch – white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, glass noodles, or ramen
- Vegetables – stir fry broccoli, bell peppers, bok choy, mushrooms, or zucchini.
More Asian Recipes
Korean Beef
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger or ginger paste
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ¼-½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- Toasted sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef about 3/4ths of the way done in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess grease and add the sesame oil. Continue cooking until the beef is completely browned.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic and ginger. Cook for 1 minute while stirring constantly.
- Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for a few minutes while stirring.
- If desired, serve over steamed rice. Top with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Notes
- This recipe also works with ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground pork.
- l like to use ginger paste. 1 tablespoon of paste equals 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger. Always store it in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to a month.
- To toast sesame seeds, add them to a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook until fragrant and golden brown, stirring or shaking the skillet frequently.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
Nutrition
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Zadie
What a delicious meal! My husband could not get enough of this. Thanks for sharing, Beth!
Moni
The Korean beef recipe you shared is absolutely delicious! The flavors are incredible, and the step-by-step instructions makes it easy to follow. I can’t wait to make it for my friends who eat beef. Thanks for sharing this tasty recipe!
Tammy
Mmm sounds delish! I love bulgogi so I know I would love this dish as well…perfect family night dinner.
Marysa
I’ve never had a dish like this before. Sounds delicious! I like the flavors used in making this dish.
Marie
Always waiting for your recipe. This Korean beef recipe looks so yummy, I will add this to my menu for this week.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Marie! Enjoy!
Rhian Scammell
We love making korean beef and variations of this in our house. Although I don’t think we’ve had brown sugar in our recipe before so I may need to add it and see what difference it makes x
Yeah Lifestyle
This was very tasty, the flavours are great and work really well together too. It was a big hit with the whole family and makes a really good main meal.
Beth Pierce
Thanks! I am so glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed it!
Laura
We eat ground beef at least twice a week. I am going to add this to the meal plan for something a little different.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Laura! Enjoy!
Sandra
I love how quick, easy, and flavorful this meal is! Quickly became a favorite at my house!
Beth Pierce
That is awesome, Sandra! So glad to hear it!
Catalina
This Korean beef was fabulous! My family loved it!
Erin
Such a satisfying dish! We loved it. Thanks for sharing, Beth
Kushigalu
Love how simple and flavorful this recipe is. Thanks for sharing
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Kushigalu.
TAYLER ROSS
I’m always looking for new ways to use ground beef, and this Korean beef was the best!
Kathleen
This Korean beef is so simple to make with easy-to-get ingredients. It’s a fabulous meal on a busy weeknight.
Beth Pierce
I could not agree more, Kathleen!
Cathleen
This will be my new go-to recipe for sure! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, it is definitely a new favourite!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much, Cathleen! So glad that you like the Korean Beef!
dana
Absolutely delicious! Love the flavors in this and love creating a bowl meal with this stuff + rice, kimchi, etc. Amazing!