15-Minute Korean Ground Beef is a super simple meal, great for busy nights. This garlic and ginger flavored beef is cooked to perfection and served over rice.
Korean Ground Beef is a simple quick recipe. This flavorful dish is just what you need on busy nights! For more quick meals, try Skillet Lasagna, Shrimp Stir Fry, and Chicken Salad Sandwich.
Korean Ground Beef
This dish is a flavorful sweet and savory Asian dish. All you need is a handful of simple ingredients and a skillet. Serve it over rice and a side of steamed vegetables (I like broccoli!) for a complete meal.
Ingredients for Korean Beef:
- Ground Beef– Lean ground beef works best so no draining is required.
- Garlic– Fresh garlic tastes best. It should be added to the pan last and cooked with the beef or 30-60 seconds just until fragrant to prevent over cooking it and causing a bitter taste.
- Olive Oil– Oil is needed to help sear the ground beef.
- Toasted Sesame Oil– This is a finishing oil and should be added after cooking because it has a low smoke point. It adds a delicious nutty flavor to dishes.
- Sesame Seeds– This adds color and little texture but not necessarily needed.
- Green Onions– These are a mild onion added at the end of cooking for color and flavor.
- Soy Sauce– Use good quality soy sauce as it makes up the majority of the sauce.
- Brown Sugar– This adds sweetness and a depth of flavor.
- Ginger– Fresh ginger adds a delicious fresh flavor to the the dish. If needed, use 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger.
- Red Pepper Flakes– Just a little bit is added for flavor. Add more to create a spicier dish.
How to make Korean Ground Beef:
Time needed: 15 minutes
- Make Sauce
In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, born sugar, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- Brown Beef
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add beef. Let cook undisturbed for 2-3 mintues to brown. Flip and cook another 2 minutes. Chop/crumble meat as it finishes browning. Add the garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
- Simmer
Add the sauce and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Garnish
Mix in sesame oil and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over rice.
FAQs
No. Toasted sesame oil is a finishing oil.
Toasted sesame oil can be found in the international aisle of your local grocery store in the Asian section. It typically comes in a small bottle (~5 ounces) and is dark in color.
Fresh ginger is located in the chilled produce section typically by herbs and/or tubers.
For a nuttier flavor, toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium-high heat while stirring until browned. Or place on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes at 350°F.
TOOLS USED TO MAKE THIS DISH:
- Cast Iron Skillet– A cast iron skillet is a kitchen must have. It heats evenly and gives meats a nice crust.
- Meat Chopper– This is the best little kitchen gadget and less than $10! Browning any ground meat is a cinch with this little meat chopper!
- Garlic Press– Fresh garlic tastes best and this is the garlic press is my favorite! I love how easy it is to use and clean!
LOOKING FOR MORE GROUND BEEF RECIPES? CHECK OUT THESE:
- The Best Ground Beef Tacos
- Easy Dorito Taco Salad
- Southwest Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet
- Stuffed Pepper Casserole
- The Best Stuffed Bell Peppers
Korean Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, born sugar, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add beef. Let cook undisturbed for 2-3 mintues to brown. Flip and cook another 2 minutes. Chop/crumble meat as it finishes browning. Add the garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
- Add the sauce and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Mix in sesame oil and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over rice.
Leave a Reply