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Easy Korean Beef

A quick and easy recipe for Korean beef made with ground beef and a savory homemade sauce, ready in under 20 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Korean
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the beef
  • 2 pounds ground beef
For the sauce
  • 3/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar Use dark brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
  • 3 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes Adjust to your heat preference.
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic Fresh is recommended for better flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger Fresh is recommended for better flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch Optional, for a thicker sauce.
For serving
  • steamed white rice For serving.
  • sliced green onions For garnish.

Method
 

Cooking the Beef
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart as it browns until some pieces become slightly crispy. Drain the excess grease thoroughly.
Making the Sauce
  1. While the beef cooks, whisk together the soy sauce, dark brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and minced ginger until the sugar is fully dissolved. If desired, whisk in cornstarch for a thicker sauce.
Combining and Simmering
  1. Pour the sauce over the drained cooked beef in the skillet. Stir to coat the beef evenly. Cook over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
Serving
  1. Spoon the Korean beef over bowls of steamed white rice. Top with sliced green onions and serve immediately.

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for stronger flavor. Adjust heat level with red pepper flakes. This recipe can be easily modified with additional vegetables or protein swaps.