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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
Frequently asked questions
How long does 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 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 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 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 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.
