Spicy Korean-Inspired Beef Stir-Fry with Gochujang Glaze
Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with crisp vegetables and coated in a sweet-spicy gochujang sauce for a flavorful weeknight dinner. This korean-inspired beef ready in about 23 minutes pairs soy sauce, gochujang (Korean chili paste), honey 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, thinly sliced across the grain flank steak
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1 medium, thinly sliced red bell pepper
- 3 sliced diagonally green onions
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp sesame oil to create the sauce.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering, then add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until just browned but still tender.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger to the pan, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Toss in 1 medium thinly sliced red bell pepper and 3 sliced green onions, cooking for another 2 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables, stirring continuously for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats everything evenly.
- Step 6: Season with 1/4 tsp black pepper and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds on top before serving immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Korean-Inspired Beef Stir-Fry with Gochujang Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 23 minutes (15 min prep + 8 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 Gochujang Glaze?
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-Inspired Beef Stir-Fry with Gochujang Glaze?
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 Gochujang Glaze 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.
What goes well with Spicy Korean-Inspired Beef Stir-Fry with Gochujang Glaze?
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.
