Grilled Korean-Inspired Spicy Beef Skewers with Sesame

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef marinated in a soy-ginger glaze, grilled on skewers and finished with toasted sesame seeds for a flavorful Korean-inspired appetizer. This korean-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes sirloin steak, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb sirloin steak cubes to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 4 hours.
  3. Step 3: Soak wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated beef onto skewers.
  4. Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and brush with 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Grill the beef skewers for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked to medium rare.
  5. Step 5: Remove skewers from grill and sprinkle with 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Korean-Inspired Spicy Beef Skewers with Sesame take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Korean-Inspired Spicy Beef Skewers with Sesame?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Korean-Inspired Spicy Beef Skewers with Sesame?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Korean-Inspired Spicy Beef Skewers with Sesame for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Korean-Inspired Spicy Beef Skewers with Sesame?

Korean beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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