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A bowl of rice topped with Korean ground beef, green onions, and sesame seeds.

Korean Beef

Print Recipe
This easy recipe for Korean Beef is made with just a few simple ingredients, and is ready in less than 20 minutes. It's perfect for busy weeknights.
Course Main Course, Main Dishes
Cuisine Asian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 235
Author Dorothy Bigelow

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2-3 cloves)
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce (use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option)
  • ½ teaspoon fish sauce (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger)
  • Pinch crushed red pepper (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar packed
  • Chopped green onions for garnish

For serving

  • Cooked rice or cauliflower rice, lettuce wraps, quinoa, etc.
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until it is browned.
    Browning ground beef in a large skillet.
  • Drain off any excess grease, then add in the sesame oil, and toss to coat the beef.
    Drizzling sesame oil into a skillet with cooked ground beef.
  • Add the minced garlic and saute for 30-60 seconds, or until fragrant.
    Adding garlic to a skillet with ground beef.
  • Then add the soy sauce, brown sugar, fish sauce (if using), ginger, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.
    Stirring ginger, soy sauce, and brown sugar into a skillet of ground beef.
  • Simmer for 3-5 minutes to allow the flavors to combine, then remove from the heat.
  • Serve over rice, noodles, cauliflower rice, or in lettuce wraps. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
    A bowl filled with rice and topped with seasoned ground beef, green onions, and sesame seeds.

Notes

I recommend serving this with my easy Instant Pot White Rice - it's hands-off and ready in less than 20 minutes. 
Storage: Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 4 months. 
Ground turkey or chicken: Brown the meat with 2-3 tsp. of oil. Once cooked through, drain off the excess liquid and add the remaining ingredients. 
Gluten-free: Use tamari, gluten-free soy sauce, or coconut aminos.
Without brown sugar: Substitute the brown sugar for a low-carb sweetener, coconut sugar, or maple syrup. 

Nutrition

Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 1216mg | Potassium: 455mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 0.2IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 3mg