Half-Portion Spicy Korean Beef Stir Fry
A quick stir fry featuring half a pound of thinly sliced beef with a spicy-sweet Korean gochujang glaze and crisp vegetables. This korean-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce, sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, 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.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (half a pound) thinly sliced beef sirloin
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced ginger
- 3 stalks, sliced green onions
- 1 medium, julienned red bell pepper
- 1 medium, julienned carrot
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced ginger until smooth.
- Step 2: Add 8 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin to the marinade, tossing to coat well. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef and sear for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked.
- Step 4: Add 1 julienned red bell pepper, 1 julienned carrot, and 3 sliced green onions to the skillet. Stir fry for another 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp and beef is cooked through.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds on top and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Portion Spicy Korean Beef Stir Fry 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 Half-Portion Spicy Korean Beef Stir Fry?
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 Half-Portion Spicy Korean Beef Stir Fry?
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 Half-Portion Spicy Korean Beef Stir Fry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Half-Portion Spicy Korean Beef Stir Fry?
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.
