Ingredients
— The Beef —
1 pound (450g) lean ground beef (90% lean recommended)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (or ½ tsp ground ginger)
2 teaspoons sesame oil (toasted)
— The Sauce —
½ cup soy sauce (use low-sodium if preferred)
⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to heat preference)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
— For Serving —
3 cups cooked white rice (Jasmine or Calrose)
2 green onions (scallions), thinly sliced
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Optional: Sliced cucumber or steamed broccoli on the side
Instructions
1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes).
2. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil to the beef. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Drain any excess fat from the pan if necessary (though if using lean beef, you may want to keep a little for flavor).
4. In a small bowl (or directly into the pan if you are fast), whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
5. Pour the sauce mixture over the beef. Stir well to combine.
6. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to heat through and glaze the meat. The beef should absorb most of the liquid but still be juicy.
7. Remove from heat.
8. To serve, scoop a generous portion of beef over a bowl of warm rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Notes
Spice Control: If you are sensitive to spice or cooking for young kids, reduce the red pepper flakes to a pinch or omit them entirely. You can always add Sriracha on top later.
Gluten Free: To make this gluten-free, simply swap the soy sauce for Tamari or Coconut Aminos.
Add Veggies: This is a great ‘clean out the fridge’ meal. Feel free to stir-fry diced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or zucchini along with the beef.
Storage: Leftovers store perfectly in the fridge for up to 4 days and make for excellent meal prep lunches.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean Fusion