Spicy Korean-Style Beef Stir Fry with Sesame and Garlic

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick and flavorful Korean stir fry featuring tender beef strips infused with garlic, sesame, and a spicy gochujang glaze. This korean-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs sesame oil, minced garlic cloves, gochujang (Korean chili paste) 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: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin with 2 tbsp sesame oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp gochujang, 3 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Mix well and marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat a large wok or skillet over high heat until smoking slightly. Add the marinated beef along with 1 medium julienned red bell pepper and 1 medium julienned carrot. Stir-fry vigorously for 4-5 minutes until the beef is browned and vegetables are tender-crisp.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper and 3 sliced green onions into the wok. Toss everything together for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

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Frequently asked questions

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

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 sesame oil from drying out.

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

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 Sesame and Garlic 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-Style Beef Stir Fry with Sesame and Garlic?

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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