Korean Beef

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This Korean Beef recipe is simple, tasty, and perfect for when you only have a minutes to get dinner on the table. Serve in lettuce cups or over rice. My Famous Butter Rice and Cilantro Lime Rice are both great options.

A Healthier Korean Beef Recipe

Let me start this post by stating there is no way this is an authentic recipe for Korean Beef. BUT! That’s ok because I’m really good at creating waaaay better flavors and fast shortcuts in the kitchen when I do it all my way. So, this is a very simple-super-tasty-minimal ingredient-meal that is perfect on those days where I only have 15 to 20 minutes to get dinner on the table. BONUS: This healthier version using maple syrup in the simmering sauce. As you can see in the pictures, the meat is super moist and turns out so so good every time.

Need other ground beef recipes? Look no further! Here are a few of my favorites: The Best Sloppy Joes, Hamburger Soup, Simple Sunday Meatloaf, The Best Burger Recipe, and Easy Meatballs.

This recipe is pretty straightforward, just make sure you have a plan for how to serve it! If you don’t know, don’t worry, I have some ideas listed below.

How to Make Korean Beef

Traditional Korean Beef is called bulgogi which uses marinated sirloin steak. Instead, this Korean Beef Recipe calls for ground beef which is much cheaper and with the combinations of flavor coming from the ingredients we get the same taste as traditional bulgogi. It’s faster, cheaper, and tastes just as great, win-win-win! For full recipe details see the recipe card down below. Here is what you can expect when making this recipe:

Cook Beef

Preheat a large skillet over heat. Add in beef and break apart as it browns with a wooden spoon. Once the beef is completely cooked, pour into a colander, and drain any excess fat off of the meat. Place meat back into the pan.

Reduce Heat + Add Remaining Ingredients

Reduce heat to medium and add in soy sauce, maple syrup, minced garlic, fresh ginger, red pepper flakes and sesame oil. Cook until the soy sauce reduces slightly. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. If meat mixture is getting dry, splash in some beef broth as needed or desired.

Add in Green Onions + Serve

Stir in green onion and serve hot. I like to serve in lettuce cups or over rice.

What to Serve with Korean Beef

There are a couple of ways you can serve Korean beef, here are a few:

• Plain: Korean beef is plenty flavorful and delicious on its own. BUT it could use some side dishes if eaten plain. Easy Potstickers or Fresh Spring Rolls Recipe with Peanut Dipping Sauce make great sides.
• Over Rice: use plain rice, brown rice, cilantro lime rice, fried rice or my famous butter rice to make a simple Korean Beef Bowl. Each kind of rice will give a different type of experience with this recipe but all are tasty, you can’t really be wrong with these options.
• In Lettuce Cups: for a refreshing twist, serve this beef in lettuce cups (like at P.F. Changs!). Lettuce makes a great serving vessel!
• With Ramen: add Korean beef to any of these recipes to add some protein! Ramen Stir Fry, Chow Mein Recipe, or Sesame Noodle Salad.

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover Korean Beef can be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container for up to 5 days. I suggest making a double batch so you can meal prep the leftovers for the week ahead.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Even though this recipe is so quick to make already, making ahead of time can still be beneficial! The secret is to freeze your Korean Beef!

To Freeze. Make the recipe according to the directions. Let Korean beef fully cool then store in an airtight container or freezer bag, in the freezer for up to 4 months.

To Reheat. Thaw in the fridge overnight then reheat in a skillet. If the meat mixture is dry, splash in some beef broth as needed.

More Meaty Recipes to Try!

• Asian Beef Tacos
• Kung Pao Chicken (Family Favorite!)
• Crispy Sesame Beef
• Beef and Broccoli
• Homemade Teriyaki Chicken

The printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends!

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4.62 from 21 votes

Korean Beef

This Korean Beef recipe is simple, tasty and perfect for when you only have minutes to get dinner on the table. Serve with rice.

servings 4 servings

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• ▢ 1.25 lbs lean ground beef
• ▢ 1/3 cup soy sauce
• ▢ 1/3 cup maple syrup
• ▢ 3 small cloves of garlic finely minced
• ▢ 1 inch ginger fresh, grated
• ▢ 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• ▢ 2 tbsp sesame oil
• ▢ salt & pepper to taste
• ▢ 2 green onions finely chopped
• ▢ beef broth as needed

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Preheat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in beef and break apart as it browns with a wooden spoon. Once the beef is completely cooked, pour into a colander, and drain any excess fat off of the meat. Place meat back into the pan.
• Reduce heat to medium and add in soy sauce, maple syrup, minced garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes and sesame oil. Cook about five minutes or until the soy sauce reduced slightly. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. If meat mixture is getting dry, splash in some beef broth as needed or desired. Stir in green onion.
• Serve over brown right, in lettuce cups, or on its own.

Nutrition

Calories: 345kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 1177mg | Potassium: 617mg | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 1.8mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 3.9mg

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: bulgogi, korean beef, korean beef bowl, korean beef recipe