Korean-Inspired Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Sesame and Scallions

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick stir fry combining thinly sliced beef with a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce, toasted sesame, and fresh scallions for a vibrant finish. This korean-inspired latin american ready in about 22 minutes pairs gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

★ 4.2 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp gochujang, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp sesame oil until smooth.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak to the skillet in a single layer and cook without stirring for 2 minutes to develop a sear, then stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the beef is browned but still tender.
  4. Step 4: Toss in 1 medium thinly sliced red bell pepper and pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables, stirring to coat everything evenly. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and glazes the beef.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle with 4 thinly sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving over steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Korean-Inspired Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Sesame and Scallions take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Korean-Inspired Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Sesame and Scallions?

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 Korean-Inspired Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Sesame and Scallions?

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 Korean-Inspired Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Sesame and Scallions 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 Korean-Inspired Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Sesame and Scallions?

Korean latin american 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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