Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry Recipe

Sizzling Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry Recipe in Minutes

Korean ground beef stir fry bursts with vibrant flavors that dance across your palate, creating an irresistible culinary experience.

Savory and aromatic spices blend seamlessly with tender meat, redefineing a simple dish into something extraordinary.

Bold seasonings infuse each bite with incredible depth and complexity rarely found in home cooking.

The recipe offers a perfect balance between traditional techniques and modern kitchen convenience.

Weeknight meals gain new excitement through this quick and satisfying preparation method that requires minimal ingredients.

Home cooks can effortlessly elevate their dinner game with these dynamic flavor combinations.

The harmonious mix of ingredients promises a delightful meal that feels both comforting and adventurous.

Keeping Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry Fresh Longer

  • Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the stir fry fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Freeze: Transfer cooled stir fry to freezer-safe containers, where it can maintain quality for up to 2 months; label with the date for easy tracking.
  • Reheat: Warm the stir fry in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to prevent dryness and restore its original texture and flavor.

Great Pairings for Korean Beef Stir Fry

  • Sip Korean Rice Wine: Pair this stir fry with makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine that offers a sweet and tangy contrast to the savory beef and spicy sauce.
  • Balance with Crisp White Wine: A chilled gewürztraminer or riesling cuts through the richness of the beef while complementing the vegetable medley's fresh flavors.
  • Enhance with Refreshing Kimchi: Add a side of tangy kimchi to introduce a zesty, fermented kick that elevates the stir fry's overall taste profile and provides a traditional Korean dining experience.
  • Cool Down with Green Tea: Serve jasmine or green tea alongside the dish to cleanse the palate and balance the meal's spicy and robust flavors.

Flavor Twists for Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry

  • Quick Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that maintains the same delicious Korean-inspired flavor profile.
  • Vegetarian Veggie Delight: Substitute ground beef with crumbled tofu or plant-based meat alternatives, keeping the vibrant vegetable mix and savory sauce intact.
  • Spicy Seafood Edition: Swap ground beef for shrimp or diced salmon, adding a maritime twist while preserving the original recipe's core seasoning and cooking method.
  • Low-Carb Bowl: Skip the rice and serve the stir fry over cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles for a lighter, carbohydrate-reduced meal that still packs incredible flavor.

Why Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry Wins on Busy Nights

  • Burst with Bold Korean Flavors: This stir fry delivers an explosion of tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy tastes that dance across your palate with every bite, capturing the essence of Korean cuisine in a single skillet.
  • Lightning-Fast Weeknight Warrior: Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe transforms simple ground beef and fresh vegetables into a restaurant-quality meal that's perfect for busy families craving a quick and satisfying dinner.
  • Customize Your Culinary Adventure: The flexible recipe allows easy ingredient swaps and heat level adjustments, making it a versatile dish that adapts to personal preferences and pantry availability while maintaining its delicious core profile.
  • Nutrition Packed in One Pan: Loaded with colorful vegetables and lean protein, this stir fry offers a balanced meal that's both wholesome and incredibly tasty, proving healthy eating can be exciting and effortless.

Everything You’ll Need for Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry

Protein Base:
  • Ground Beef: Lean meat with rich flavor, choose 90% lean for healthier option.
  • Mushrooms: Earthy protein alternative, adds depth and meaty texture to the dish.
Vegetables:
  • Red Bell Pepper, Zucchini, Sugar Snap Peas, Carrots: Colorful mix providing crunch, nutrients, and visual appeal, fresh vegetables preferred.
  • Garlic: Aromatic base that enhances overall flavor profile, use fresh cloves for best taste.
Sauce and Seasoning:
  • Brown Sugar, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil: Creates sweet and savory Korean-style sauce, balanced flavor combination.
  • Ground Ginger, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Pepper: Adds warmth, slight heat, and complexity to the dish, adjust according to spice preference.
  • Olive Oil: Cooking fat for sautéing ingredients, helps prevent sticking and adds mild flavor.
Garnish:
  • Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Fresh finishing touch that adds color, texture, and traditional Korean garnish elements.

How to Cook Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry in No Time

Step 1: Sizzle the Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium flame. Add ground beef and minced garlic, breaking meat into small crumbles. Cook until beef turns completely brown and no pink remains. Transfer cooked beef to a separate plate.

Step 2: Prepare Colorful Vegetables

Drain excess grease from skillet. Add olive oil and toss in fresh vegetables:
  • Bell peppers
  • Zucchini
  • Snap peas
  • Carrots
  • Mushrooms

Sauté vegetables for 2-3 minutes until they become tender and slightly crisp.

Step 3: Create Flavor Explosion

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients:
  • Brown sugar
  • Soy sauce
  • Sesame oil
  • Fresh ginger
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Black pepper

Pour sauce over vegetables and return cooked beef to skillet. Simmer everything together for 1-2 minutes, allowing flavors to blend perfectly.

Step 4: Serve with Flair

Plate stir fry over steamed white rice. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for an authentic Korean dining experience. Enjoy immediately while hot and fragrant.

Helpful Tips for Flavorful Ground Beef Stir Fry

  • Slice Veggies Uniformly: Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stir fry.
  • Control Meat Browning: Use high heat when cooking ground beef to develop a rich, caramelized flavor and prevent excess moisture.
  • Balance Sauce Intensity: Adjust soy sauce and red pepper flakes to match your preferred level of saltiness and spiciness.
  • Prep Ingredients Beforehand: Chop vegetables and mix sauce ingredients in advance to streamline the quick cooking process.
  • Keep Vegetables Crisp: Avoid overcooking vegetables by sautéing briefly, maintaining their vibrant color and satisfying crunch.
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Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry Recipe

Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry Recipe


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4.7 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sizzling Korean ground beef stir fry brings bold Seoul-inspired flavors to your dinner table. Savory, spicy, and quick to prepare, this dish delivers restaurant-quality meals with minimal effort while satisfying your craving for authentic Korean cuisine.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef (90% lean)

Vegetables:

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 zucchini, sliced
  • ½ cup (75 grams) sugar snap peas
  • ½ cup (60 grams) shredded carrots
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms, sliced
  • Sliced green onions (for garnish)

Sauce and Seasonings:

  • ½ cup (100 grams) packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium flame and crumble ground beef with minced garlic, cooking until meat transforms from pink to rich brown, ensuring no moisture remains.
  2. Transfer cooked beef to a separate plate, carefully draining excess fat from the skillet.
  3. Drizzle olive oil into the same skillet, introducing a vibrant medley of bell peppers, zucchini, snap peas, carrots, and mushrooms. Swiftly sauté the vegetables until they reach a tender yet crisp consistency.
  4. Restore the browned beef to the vegetable-filled skillet, preparing for flavor infusion.
  5. Whisk together a harmonious blend of brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, freshly grated ginger, red pepper flakes, and ground pepper in a small mixing bowl.
  6. Pour the aromatic sauce over the beef and vegetables, allowing the ingredients to mingle and absorb the complex flavors through a brief, gentle simmer.
  7. Create a fluffy rice foundation on serving plates, cascading the savory stir fry atop the grains.
  8. Elevate the dish’s visual appeal and taste by sprinkling sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds as a final flourish.

Notes

  • Customize the heat level by adjusting red pepper flakes for a personalized spice experience.
  • Leftovers keep wonderfully in an airtight container, maintaining fantastic flavor for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
  • Craving extra protein? Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter alternative without compromising taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 485
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 650 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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