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Korean-style Sauteed Beef

Featured in Fast and Simple Recipes for Busy Days.

This Korean-style Sauteed Beef with Bean Sprouts and Cabbage delivers authentic flavors in a quick weeknight-friendly format. The dish combines savory ground beef with crisp vegetables like cabbage, bean sprouts, and carrots, all coated in a balanced sauce featuring soy, brown sugar, sesame oil, and fresh ginger. What makes this recipe special is how it achieves complex flavors with minimal ingredients and effort - the beef develops a delicious caramelized flavor while the vegetables retain their crunch. Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish, it's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying and flavorful without spending hours in the kitchen.
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Updated on Tue, 25 Feb 2025 21:33:33 GMT
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Transform your dinner routine with this vibrant Korean-inspired beef dish that brings together tender ground meat, crisp vegetables, and a perfectly balanced sauce. This weeknight wonder delivers authentic flavors with minimal effort, creating a satisfying meal that comes together in less time than it takes to order takeout.

After discovering how bean sprouts and cabbage maintain their texture in stir-fries, I found they create the perfect foundation for this Korean-inspired dish. Their natural sweetness complements the savory beef while adding satisfying crunch.

Essential Components

  • Beef Selection: Ground beef with some fat (80/20) provides the best flavor
  • Vegetable Freshness: Bean sprouts should be firm and white with no discoloration
  • Sauce Balance: The right ratio of soy sauce to sweetener creates authentic flavor
  • Ginger Quality: Fresh ginger provides aromatic brightness that powdered can't match
  • Cooking Temperature: High heat creates the proper caramelization and texture
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Creating Your Masterpiece

Prepare The Sauce:
Combine all sauce ingredients, whisking until sugar dissolves completely. This allows flavors to begin melding while you cook.
Master The Beef:
Cook ground beef until well-browned with some crispy edges, which adds depth of flavor and textural contrast.
Layer The Vegetables:
Add vegetables in proper sequence based on cooking time, beginning with carrots and ending with bean sprouts.
Create The Glaze:
Pour sauce over hot ingredients, allowing it to bubble and thicken slightly as it coats everything evenly.
Complete The Dish:
Finish with a final toss to ensure every morsel is glazed with sauce, creating cohesive flavor throughout.

I've found this dish perfect for those evenings when I crave something flavorful but have limited time. The combination of protein, vegetables, and that irresistible sauce creates a complete meal that feels like a special treat despite its simple preparation.

Perfect Pairings

Complete your meal with thoughtful accompaniments. Steamed rice soaks up the delicious sauce perfectly. Kimchi adds authentic Korean flavor and probiotic benefits. For a lighter option, serve over cauliflower rice. A simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar provides cooling contrast.

Creative Variations

Adapt this versatile dish to suit any preference. Try ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. Create a vegetarian adaptation with crumbled tofu or tempeh. Add mushrooms for extra umami depth. For extra spice, incorporate gochujang (Korean chili paste) into the sauce.

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Korean Beef with Vegetables Recipe | homedeliciousrecipes.com

Storage Success

This dish keeps beautifully for leftovers. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen overnight. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water to refresh the sauce.

Through my experience with Korean-inspired cooking, I've found that respecting the balance of flavors while maintaining textural integrity creates the most satisfying results. This recipe proves that authentic international flavors can be achieved at home with minimal time and effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use other types of meat?
Yes, ground chicken, turkey, or pork work well as substitutes for the ground beef.
→ Is there a way to make this dish less sweet?
Reduce the brown sugar to 2 tablespoons or replace with a low-carb sweetener.
→ What vegetables can I substitute?
Bell peppers, snow peas, or bok choy work well if you don't have all the vegetables listed.
→ How can I make this spicy?
Add 1-2 teaspoons of Korean gochujang paste or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
→ What can I serve this with besides rice?
Serve with cauliflower rice for a low-carb option, or over noodles like ramen or soba.

Korean Beef with Vegetables

A quick and flavorful stir-fry combining ground beef with crisp vegetables in a sweet and savory Korean-inspired sauce, ready in just 20 minutes.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes

Category: Quick & Easy

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Korean

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 1 lb ground beef
02 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
03 1 cup carrots, julienned or shredded
04 2 cups cabbage, shredded or coarsely chopped
05 1 pack bean sprouts, (about 3 cups)

→ Seasoning Sauce

06 ¼ cup soy sauce, (if doing Paleo, replace with Coconut Aminos or wheat-free soy sauce for gluten-free diets)
07 ¼ cup brown sugar (replace with raw Honey or other paleo-approved sweetener and adjust the amount to taste e.g. 2-3 tablespoons to begin with)
08 2 tsp sesame oil
09 2-3 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

Instructions

Step 01

Combine the seasoning sauce (soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil and fresh ginger). We love ginger so we use the full 3 tablespoons but adjust it to your taste. Set aside.

Step 02

In medium heat, cook the ground beef in a skillet or wok until the meat changes its color. No need to add oil if your beef is 80/20 or has a little bit of fat. Add the minced garlic and continue to cook until the beef is deep-brown in color and crunchy.

Step 03

Increase the heat, add the carrots and saute for about 1 minute. Add the cabbage and bean sprouts and cook for another minute.

Step 04

Pour all the sauce into the beef and veggie mixture and mix well. Cook just until everything is heated through - another minute or so. Serve immediately on top of rice.

Notes

  1. This is a quick stir-fry so ensure that all veggies have been prepped and ready to be added once you start cooking as they cook fast. They need to be cooked just until tender-crisp and not mushy.

Tools You'll Need

  • Skillet or wok
  • Mixing bowl

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains soy (soy sauce)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 222
  • Total Fat: 9 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 17 g
  • Protein: 19 g