Packed with bold Korean-inspired flavors, this Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry is the ultimate 30-minute meal. Combining lean ground beef with vibrant vegetables and a sweet-savory sauce, it’s a dish that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan recipe is a quick way to bring a satisfying and wholesome meal to the table without much fuss. Serve it with rice, noodles, or even lettuce wraps for a versatile and flavorful dinner.
Ingredients:
Stir Fry 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 garlic 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)
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:
- Prepare the Ingredients : Chop all vegetables (dice onion, chop bell pepper, julienne carrots, and cut broccoli into small florets) and set aside for easy assembly. In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients: brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef : Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked (about 5–7 minutes). Drain any excess fat if necessary. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the Vegetables : Toss in the chopped red bell pepper, julienned carrots, and broccoli florets. Stir-fry for 5–7 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp. (If you prefer softer vegetables, add a splash of water and cover the pan briefly to steam.)
- Add the Sauce : Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir well to coat all the ingredients evenly. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and meld with the dish.
- Garnish and Serve : Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish the stir fry with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.Serve immediately over steamed white or brown rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
Conclusion:
This Quick and Easy Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry is a flavorful and nutritious meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. It’s versatile, allowing you to swap in your favorite veggies or adjust the spice level to your liking. With its balance of sweet, savory, and spicy, this stir fry is sure to become a family favorite!
Quick and Easy Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry
Ingredients
Stir Fry 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 garlic 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)
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
- Prepare the Ingredients : Chop all vegetables (dice onion, chop bell pepper, julienne carrots, and cut broccoli into small florets) and set aside for easy assembly. In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients: brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef : Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked (about 5–7 minutes). Drain any excess fat if necessary. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the Vegetables : Toss in the chopped red bell pepper, julienned carrots, and broccoli florets. Stir-fry for 5–7 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp. (If you prefer softer vegetables, add a splash of water and cover the pan briefly to steam.)
- Add the Sauce : Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir well to coat all the ingredients evenly. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and meld with the dish.
- Garnish and Serve : Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish the stir fry with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed white or brown rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.