This inexpensive and easy Korean beef recipe uses ground beef instead of flank steak. The meat is simmered in a simple, flavorful sauce and combined with vegetables for a balanced dinner. Serve over rice for a satisfying meal ready in about 20 minutes.
This Korean beef has become a staple for many households. Since first shared in 2011, it’s been prepared countless times because it’s quick, inexpensive, and packed with flavor. The dish delivers the satisfying flavors of takeout but is much faster and simpler to make at home.
Adding steamed vegetables stretches the meal into a more complete and nutritious dinner. This version is perfect for meal prep and reheats well, so you can enjoy it throughout the week.
The real time-saver is using pre-minced garlic, ginger paste, and instant rice. With those shortcuts, this dinner comes together in 20 minutes or less. It’s a family favorite and a recipe many people can make without measuring once they know it by heart.
(Cheap) Korean Beef with Vegetables
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 1/2 tsp)
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1/4–1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (to taste)
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 16 oz bag frozen steamable California or Normandy blend vegetables
- Sliced green onions, for garnish
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
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Steam or cook the frozen vegetables according to package directions (about 8 minutes in the microwave). Keep warm until ready to combine with the beef.
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Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and ground beef. Cook until the beef is browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess grease if necessary.
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Return the drained beef to the skillet. Add the brown sugar, soy sauce, minced ginger, crushed red pepper, and cornstarch. Stir well and cook until the sauce comes to a simmer and thickens, about 1–2 minutes.
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Add the steamed vegetables to the skillet and toss to combine so everything is evenly coated in the sauce. Serve the beef and vegetables over cooked rice and garnish with sliced green onions.
Notes
This recipe was adapted from an earlier version shared by another food blogger and updated here with added vegetables and slight changes to suit a family-style meal.
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Leave a rating below and follow for more recipes and ideas. This dish is easy to customize—add more vegetables, adjust the heat with extra red pepper flakes, or swap turkey or pork for the ground beef.