This Korean Ground Beef is packed with a rich, savory flavor, with a slight sweetness and spice that makes it totally addictive. The ground beef absorbs all the delicious sauce, making each bite a perfect balance of tender meat and flavorful sauce.
It’s a quick and easy dish to whip up on a busy weeknight but still feels like a comforting meal. Serve it over a bowl of fluffy rice and top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds to add a pop of color and texture. This dish brings Korean street food vibes right to your kitchen with minimal effort!
Full Recipe:
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1 lb ground beef
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2 tablespoons sesame oil
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon ginger, grated
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2 tablespoons soy sauce
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2 tablespoons brown sugar
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1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
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1 tablespoon rice vinegar
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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2 green onions, sliced
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1 tablespoon sesame seeds
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Cooked white rice (for serving)
Directions:
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Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
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Once the beef is fully cooked, drain any excess fat.
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Add the garlic and ginger to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
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Stir in soy sauce, brown sugar, gochujang, rice vinegar, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
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Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
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Serve over cooked white rice for a complete meal.
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes
Kcal: 350 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Korean Ground Beef: A Flavorful, Quick, and Versatile Meal
Korean Ground Beef is one of those dishes that combines comfort and bold flavors in a way that satisfies your cravings while being quick and easy to prepare. It’s savory, sweet, and a little spicy all at once, making it perfect for anyone who loves rich, complex flavors but doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner or a fun twist on your usual ground beef recipes, this Korean-inspired dish is a winner every time.
Why Korean Ground Beef?
The beauty of Korean Ground Beef lies in its simplicity and versatility. It uses a few staple ingredients like ground beef, soy sauce, and gochujang (Korean chili paste) to create a deeply flavorful, umami-packed sauce that coats the beef perfectly. Unlike other ground beef dishes that might rely on heavier sauces or cheese, this recipe is lighter yet still filling, making it great for those who want a satisfying meal without the guilt.
Another reason why this dish is so popular is because of its speed. You can have a fully cooked, restaurant-quality meal on the table in under 30 minutes. This makes it ideal for busy families, single households, or anyone looking to enjoy a flavorful meal without a lot of preparation. Simply serve it over a bed of steamed rice and you’ve got yourself a complete, hearty meal.
What Makes Korean Ground Beef So Special?
The secret to this recipe’s success lies in the combination of ingredients that work together to create a balance of salty, sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. The ground beef serves as the perfect base, absorbing the sauce’s flavors as it cooks. The soy sauce brings in an earthy saltiness, while the brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness to round out the flavor profile. Gochujang, a fermented Korean chili paste, adds a wonderful heat and depth to the dish that’s hard to match with other chili pastes.
The addition of sesame oil gives a distinct nutty aroma to the dish, which is further enhanced by a sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh green onions. This combination of textures and flavors makes every bite an explosion of taste. It’s the kind of meal that will have you coming back for seconds and thinking about it long after dinner.
How to Customize Korean Ground Beef
One of the great things about Korean Ground Beef is its adaptability. While the basic recipe is delicious on its own, it’s easy to adjust it based on personal preferences, dietary needs, or what ingredients you have in your pantry. If you like your meals spicier, you can add more gochujang or even some red pepper flakes. On the other hand, if you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount of chili paste or omit it altogether.
You can also switch out the ground beef for other proteins such as ground turkey, chicken, or even pork. If you’re looking to make a vegetarian version, swapping the ground beef for crumbled tofu or tempeh will still give you a satisfying, protein-packed dish. Additionally, if you want to make the dish gluten-free, simply choose a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
Serving Suggestions for Korean Ground Beef
While this dish is delicious on its own, there are many ways to elevate it and create a well-rounded meal. The most common way to serve Korean Ground Beef is over a steaming bowl of white rice, which helps balance the rich flavors of the beef. The rice soaks up the sauce, making each bite even more satisfying.
For those looking for extra vegetables, Korean Ground Beef pairs wonderfully with stir-fried vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots. You can also serve it alongside a simple Korean side dish, such as kimchi, which adds a tangy, fermented kick that complements the sweet and savory flavors of the beef.
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try serving the Korean Ground Beef in lettuce wraps for a fresh and crunchy twist? The coolness of the lettuce perfectly balances the heat from the gochujang, creating a refreshing contrast to the dish’s richness.
Nutritional Benefits of Korean Ground Beef
This dish, despite its rich flavor, can be a balanced part of your diet. Ground beef is a great source of protein and iron, which are essential for muscle growth and overall health. When paired with vegetables and rice, it provides a good mix of protein, carbs, and fiber to keep you full and satisfied for longer.
The use of gochujang and sesame oil not only adds fantastic flavor, but also introduces additional health benefits. Gochujang, for example, contains probiotics due to its fermentation process, which can help improve gut health. Sesame oil is also packed with antioxidants, which help protect the body from oxidative stress and inflammation.
However, because of the sugar content in the recipe (from both the brown sugar and the gochujang), it’s important to be mindful of your portion sizes if you’re monitoring your sugar intake. For those looking to cut down on sugar, you can use a sugar substitute or reduce the amount of brown sugar used in the recipe.
Tips for Cooking the Perfect Korean Ground Beef
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Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, always use fresh garlic and ginger. While ginger paste and pre-minced garlic are convenient, they can lack the fresh, punchy flavors of the real deal.
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Cook the Beef Properly: When cooking the ground beef, be sure to brown it well. This step is crucial for developing a deep, rich flavor. Don’t rush the process—take your time to cook the beef until it’s fully browned before adding the other ingredients.
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Adjust the Sauce to Taste: Don’t be afraid to tweak the sauce to your liking. If you love the heat, add more gochujang. If you like things sweeter, increase the amount of brown sugar. Taste as you go!
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Pair with the Right Side: Korean Ground Beef works best with simple sides that complement its rich flavor. A bowl of steamed rice, stir-fried veggies, or a crisp salad would all be great additions.
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Make it Ahead of Time: This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen and intensify the longer it sits, making it a great option for meal prepping.
Conclusion: A Must-Try Dish for Busy Nights
Korean Ground Beef is a delicious and versatile dish that brings the bold, comforting flavors of Korean cuisine into your home. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding the whole family, this recipe is sure to impress. It’s quick, easy, and packed with flavors that will have you coming back for more.
With a balance of savory, sweet, and spicy elements, this dish can be customized to suit a variety of dietary preferences. Serve it over rice, add some veggies, or try it in lettuce wraps for a fresh, low-carb alternative. No matter how you serve it, Korean Ground Beef is sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation. Try it today and experience the perfect combination of convenience and flavor!