Spiced Korean-Style Beef Stir Fry with Sesame Spinach

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

A quick stir fry combining marinated beef strips with garlic and ginger, paired with sesame-seasoned sautéed spinach. This korean-inspired beef (high protein) ready in about 30 minutes pairs thinly sliced into strips beef sirloin, 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 3, 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 3 Korean cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 12 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin with 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger. Marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef strips and stir fry for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through; remove beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp sesame oil, then add 3 minced garlic cloves and 5 cups fresh spinach. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until spinach is wilted but still vibrant.
  4. Step 4: Return the beef to the skillet with spinach, sprinkle 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes and 2 sliced scallions, tossing everything together for 1 minute until heated through.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Korean-Style Beef Stir Fry with Sesame Spinach 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-Style Beef Stir Fry with Sesame Spinach?

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-Style Beef Stir Fry with Sesame Spinach?

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-Style Beef Stir Fry with Sesame Spinach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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.

Is Spiced Korean-Style Beef Stir Fry with Sesame Spinach high protein?

Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes