When you’re short on time but still craving a flavorful, satisfying meal, this Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry comes to the rescue. Packed with bold, sweet, and savory flavors, this quick stir fry combines lean ground beef with fresh vegetables and a delectable sauce, making it the perfect weeknight dinner. It’s a one-pan dish that’s not only healthy but also completely customizable to suit your spice and veggie preferences. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a meal your whole family will love!
Ingredients:
Main Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef (90% lean recommended)
- ½ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced (about 5–6 cloves)
- 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped (about ½ large bell pepper)
- 1 cup carrots, julienned or shredded (about 1 large carrot)
- 2 cups broccoli florets, cut into smaller florets (about 1 small head of broccoli)
For the Sauce:
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup reduced sodium soy sauce (or Tamari for gluten-free option)
- 1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger (or 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for spice preference)
Garnish:
- Green onions, sliced
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions:
- Prep Your Ingredients : Chop and prepare all vegetables (dice onion, chop bell pepper, julienne carrots, and cut broccoli into small florets) before cooking to make the process seamless. In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients: brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef : Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked (about 5–7 minutes). Drain any excess fat if needed. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Add the Vegetables : Toss in the chopped red bell pepper, julienned carrots, and broccoli florets. Stir-fry the mixture for 5–7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp. (For softer broccoli, you can add a splash of water to steam slightly while cooking.)
- Add the Sauce : Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir well to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated. Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Garnish and Serve : Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top. Serve hot over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles for a complete meal.
Conclusion:
This Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry is a perfect mix of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors that elevate a simple ground beef dish into a Korean-inspired masterpiece. It’s quick, nutritious, and endlessly versatile, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Pair it with rice or noodles for a comforting and hearty meal that the whole family will devour.
Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry: A 30-Minute Flavor Bomb
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef 90% lean recommended
- ½ cup yellow onion finely diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic minced (about 5–6 cloves)
- 1 cup red bell pepper chopped (about ½ large bell pepper)
- 1 cup carrots julienned or shredded (about 1 large carrot)
- 2 cups broccoli florets cut into smaller florets (about 1 small head of broccoli)
For the Sauce:
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup reduced sodium soy sauce or Tamari for gluten-free option
- 1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger or 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes adjust for spice preference
Garnish:
- Green onions sliced
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients : Chop and prepare all vegetables (dice onion, chop bell pepper, julienne carrots, and cut broccoli into small florets) before cooking to make the process seamless. In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients: brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef : Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked (about 5–7 minutes). Drain any excess fat if needed. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Add the Vegetables : Toss in the chopped red bell pepper, julienned carrots, and broccoli florets. Stir-fry the mixture for 5–7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp. (For softer broccoli, you can add a splash of water to steam slightly while cooking.)
- Add the Sauce : Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir well to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated. Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Garnish and Serve : Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top. Serve hot over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles for a complete meal.