Spicy Korean-Inspired Beef Stir Fry with Garlic and Sesame

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

Thinly sliced beef quickly stir-fried with garlic, scallions, and a spicy gochujang sauce delivers a savory, fiery dish perfect over steamed rice or noodles. This korean-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs minced garlic cloves, sliced into 1-inch pieces scallions, tablespoons soy sauce 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: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons gochujang, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons water until smooth and sugar dissolves.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 pound thinly sliced flank steak to the marinade and toss to coat. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes while prepping other ingredients.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Add the marinated beef to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes without stirring to let it sear, then stir-fry for another 2 minutes until the beef is cooked through and sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 3 sliced scallions and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, cooking for an additional 1 minute until scallions soften but remain vibrant.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds before serving immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Korean-Inspired Beef Stir Fry with Garlic and Sesame 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-Inspired Beef Stir Fry with Garlic and Sesame?

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 minced garlic cloves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean-Inspired Beef Stir Fry with Garlic and Sesame?

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

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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