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Sweet and Spicy Korean Ground Beef

A quick and flavorful Korean-inspired ground beef recipe with a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, ideal for weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Snack
Cuisine: Asian, Korean
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Beef & Protein
  • 1 lb ground beef lean preferred
Sauce
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1-2 tsp gochujang adjust to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
Vegetables & Garnishes
  • 3 green onions sliced
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1 carrot julienned, optional
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper diced, optional

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Skillet or frying pan
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, gochujang, garlic, ginger, and black pepper.
  2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart.
  3. Add carrots and bell peppers, cook 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
  4. Pour sauce over beef and vegetables. Reduce heat to medium and cook 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
  5. Remove from heat. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps.

Notes

Adjust spice level by varying gochujang amount. Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 3 days.