Spicy Stir-Fried Korean Beef with Gochujang and Vegetables
Quick stir-fried beef strips coated in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce with crisp bell peppers and onions for a vibrant Korean-inspired dish. This korean-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs flank steak, thinly sliced, gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 2 stalks scallions, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp gochujang, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced ginger until combined.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly; let sit for 10 minutes while prepping vegetables.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned but still tender.
- Step 4: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 sliced yellow bell pepper, and 1 sliced onion to the beef and stir-fry together for another 3 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle 1 tsp sesame seeds and 2 chopped scallions on top, and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Korean Beef with Gochujang and Vegetables 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 Stir-Fried Korean Beef with Gochujang and Vegetables?
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 flank steak, thinly sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Stir-Fried Korean Beef with Gochujang and Vegetables?
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 Stir-Fried Korean Beef with Gochujang and Vegetables 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 Stir-Fried Korean Beef with Gochujang and Vegetables?
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.