This Korean Ground Beef recipe is a simple yet savory dish, perfect for busy weeknights. Ground beef is cooked with a combination of sweet and spicy ingredients, creating a bold, umami-rich sauce that pairs beautifully with crisp-tender green beans. This dish can be served over rice for a more substantial meal or as a filling for fresh lettuce cups if you’re looking for a low-carb option. The added sesame seeds and scallions give it that perfect touch of crunch and freshness.
Ingredients
- 3 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
- 6 ounces fresh green beans, cut into 1 & 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 scallions, chopped
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
- Cooked white rice or lettuce cups, for serving
Instructions
1. Sauté the Green Beans:
- Heat 1 ½ teaspoons sesame oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the green beans and sauté for about 3 minutes, or until they are crisp-tender. Transfer them to a plate using a slotted spoon and keep warm.
2. Cook the Ground Beef:
- Add the remaining 1 ½ teaspoons sesame oil to the skillet. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Brown the beef until fully cooked through, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 20 seconds, until fragrant. Drain off any excess fat from the pan.
3. Add Sauce Ingredients:
- Return the green beans to the skillet with the ground beef. Stir in the brown sugar, soy sauce, minced ginger, and chili garlic sauce. Mix everything together, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and let the mixture simmer for about 2 minutes.
4. Garnish and Serve:
- Remove the skillet from the heat and toss in the chopped scallions.
- Serve the flavorful ground beef mixture over hot white rice or spoon it into lettuce cups for a lighter meal.
- Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for added texture and nutty flavor.
Tips for the Best Korean Ground Beef:
- Customize the Spice Level: If you like more heat, feel free to add an extra teaspoon of chili garlic sauce or even a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Substitutions: Swap the green beans for broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers if you prefer different vegetables.
- Make it Healthier: Opt for ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to beef, and use lettuce cups instead of rice to lower the carb count.
- Meal Prep: This dish reheats well, making it an excellent option for meal prepping. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
This Korean Ground Beef stir-fry is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, making it a crowd-pleaser. It’s quick to prepare and easy to adapt, whether you’re serving it over rice for a hearty meal or in lettuce cups for a lighter twist. Enjoy the rich flavors with minimal effort!
Korean Ground Beef with Green Beans: A Quick and Flavorful Stir-Fry
4
servings10
minutes10
minutesIngredients
3 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
6 ounces fresh green beans, cut into 1 & 1/2-inch pieces
1 pound lean ground beef
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup brown sugar
⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 scallions, chopped
Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
Cooked white rice or lettuce cups, for serving
Directions
- This Korean Ground Beef recipe is a simple yet savory dish, perfect for busy weeknights. Ground beef is cooked with a combination of sweet and spicy ingredients, creating a bold, umami-rich sauce that pairs beautifully with crisp-tender green beans. This dish can be served over rice for a more substantial meal or as a filling for fresh lettuce cups if you’re looking for a low-carb option. The added sesame seeds and scallions give it that perfect touch of crunch and freshness.
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