Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry is a super EASY healthy meal that you can have ready in under 30 minutes!
It's ground beef and veggies cooked in a sweetened soy sauce mixture. We use ground beef because it's what we usually have on hand, and it's budget friendly! But you can also use sliced beef, if you prefer. 🙂
This has been one of our go-to weeknight meals, because it's such a simple yet flavor-packed One Pot meal!
It's perfect on it's own or served over a bowl of rice!
How to Make Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry
- To a small bowl, add all sauce ingredients and whisk until well blended. Set aside.
- Add olive oil to a large skillet, and set to medium-high. Once hot, add the ground beef and break apart, then add the onions.
- Cook until beef is slightly browned (about 5-7 minutes), mixing and crumbling up the beef as it cooks.
- Add garlic, bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots. Stir fry 2 minutes.
- Add the sauce mixture. Cook, stirring often for about 3-5 minutes (or until sauce reduces slightly).
- Taste, and add additional soy sauce or crushed pepper if needed (we usually add a bit more of each).
- Remove from heat, and garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Serve on its own, or over rice!
Time Saving Tips
Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry can already be done in around 30 minutes, including prep time. But if you want to make this even quicker, here are a few time saving tips!
- Prep the sauce ahead of time and just store in the fridge until you are ready to use. (Just be sure to whisk again before pouring into the pan.)
- Use packaged shredded, or julienned carrots.
- Use packaged broccoli florets, then just cut them into smaller florets if needed.
- Combine the stir fry veggies (garlic, carrots, broccoli, and bell peppers) and store in a large container until ready to use.
I like to prep ahead, so when it comes time for dinner everything is ready to go and cook up in 15 minutes!
Recipe Notes
Types of Ground Beef:
- I made this with 90% lean ground beef without having to drain any fat, but I did remove some fat when I used 85% lean.
- If you are using a meat that is less than 90%, then you may want to drain out some fat after the beef cooks (before adding in the veggies).
- Tip for removing fat: You can drain the beef in a mesh strainer, but the way I do it without having to take the beef out of the pot is this:
- Push the beef to one side of the pan with a spatula, and hold it to the side while slightly tipping the pan until the fatty oils run to the bottom.
- Use a couple of absorbent paper towels (folded or wadded up) and place them over the fat until it soaks up most of it, (do this carefully or use tongs to prevent burning your hand). Toss the used paper towels, and use more if needed until all the oil is soaked up.
Want it Spicier?
- Add more crushed red pepper to the sauce, or top with some Sriracha for some added heat. We love things SPICY so we do both!
Enjoy! 🙂
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Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry {Easy, One Pot, 30-Minute Meal}
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef (I used 90% lean, see notes)
- ½ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoon 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 (to make gluten-free, use Tamari or GF soy sauce)
- 1 ½ tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- ½ tsp ground ginger (or 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (this results in medium-mild heat, adjust to desired spice level)
Garnish:
- green onions, sliced
- toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- To a small bowl, add all sauce ingredients and whisk until well blended. Set aside.
- Add olive oil to a large skillet, and set to medium-high.
- Once hot, add the ground beef and break apart, then add the onions. Cook until beef is slightly browned (about 5-7 minutes), mixing and crumbling up the beef as it cooks.
- Add garlic, bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots. Stir fry 2 minutes.
- Add the sauce mixture. Cook, stirring often for about 3-5 minutes (or until sauce reduces slightly).
- Taste, and add additional soy sauce or crushed pepper if needed (we usually add a bit more of each).
- Remove from heat, and garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
- Serve on its own, or over rice!
Video
Notes
Types of Ground Beef:
- I made this with 90% lean ground beef without having to drain any fat, but I did remove some fat when I used 85% lean.
- If you are using a meat that is less than 90%, then you may want to drain out some fat after the beef cooks (before adding in the veggies).
- See blog notes on tips for easily removing fat.
Want it Spicier?
- Add more crushed red pepper to the sauce, or top with some Sriracha for some added heat (we love things spicy so we do both).
Nutrition Facts
Watch the VIDEO on how to make Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry. Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube Cooking Channel so that you never miss a recipe video! 🙂
Try some of our other Ground Beef Recipes:
- Ground Beef Stroganoff {with Greek Yogurt}
- The Best Slow-Cooker Chili {3-Meat, 3 Bean-Chili}
- Double Double Animal Style {In-N-Out Burger Copycat}