Spiced Korean-Inspired Beef Stir Fry with Sesame and Scallions

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

Tender strips of beef stir-fried with a savory-sweet soy and sesame sauce, brightened with fresh scallions and garlic. This korean-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger. Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and marinate for 15 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Remove steak from marinade (reserve marinade) and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned but still tender.
  3. Step 3: Pour reserved marinade into the skillet along with 4 sliced scallions and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving over steamed rice or noodles.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 30 minutes (20 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 Spiced Korean-Inspired 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 Spiced Korean-Inspired 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 Spiced Korean-Inspired 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 Spiced Korean-Inspired Beef Stir Fry with Sesame and Scallions?

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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