Spicy Korean-Style Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame Greens
Thinly sliced beef stir-fried with a spicy, savory sauce and served over tender sesame-infused baby spinach for a quick, flavorful meal. This korean-inspired beef (high protein) ready in about 25 minutes pairs soy sauce, gochujang (Korean chili paste), brown sugar 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2, sliced thin green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp sesame oil, and 3 minced garlic cloves, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak and marinate for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Remove beef from skillet and set aside. Lower heat to medium and add 4 cups baby spinach to the skillet, tossing for 1-2 minutes until just wilted.
- Step 4: Return the cooked beef to the skillet with spinach, toss together for 1 minute to combine and heat through.
- Step 5: Transfer to serving plates and garnish with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Korean-Style Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame Greens 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-Style Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame Greens?
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-Style Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame Greens?
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 Greens 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.
Is Spicy Korean-Style Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame Greens high protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
