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Korean Beef: Weeknight Sizzle You’Ll Crave
Print Recipe

Korean Beef

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound 450 g ground beef (or turkey if you insist on being fancy about it)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 –3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon gochujang Korean chili paste or a pinch of chili flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula. Cook until browned, 4–5 minutes. Drain excess fat if you must, but don’t go full dehydration mode.
  • Push the beef to the side. In the same pan, add a splash of oil if needed and sauté the garlic, ginger, and onion until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Smells like a dinner plan arriving on time.
  • Stir the beef back in. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and gochujang. Mix well to coat every crumb. Cook 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens a bit and everything sticks together like a team.
  • Taste and adjust. If it needs more sweetness, a touch more sugar; if it’s lacking heat, a pinch more gochujang or chili flakes. Quick rinse of the pan and you’re done—okay, not that quick, but close.
  • Remove from heat. If you like, garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve hot and watch it disappear.