Spicy Korean-Style Beef Stir-Fry with Scallions
A vibrant stir-fry combining thinly sliced beef with a spicy-sweet sauce and fresh scallions, a popular Korean-inspired dish perfect for a quick dinner. This korean-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes pairs vegetable oil, minced garlic, gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 into 1/4-inch strips beef sirloin
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 3 stalks, sliced diagonally into 1-inch pieces scallions
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 2 tbsp gochujang, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 12 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin to the skillet, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until beef is browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and toss continuously for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.
- Step 5: Stir in 3 sliced scallions and cook for an additional 1 minute until scallions are slightly wilted but still vibrant.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds on top before serving with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Korean-Style Beef Stir-Fry with Scallions take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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-Style Beef Stir-Fry with 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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean-Style Beef Stir-Fry with 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 Spicy Korean-Style Beef Stir-Fry with Scallions 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-Style Beef Stir-Fry with 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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