Stovetop Korean-Inspired Beef and Spinach Stir Fry

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-26 · Updated 2026-07-26

About the author — Lauren Mitchell is the Test Kitchen Director at AislePrompt, with over a decade of professional kitchen experience spanning recipe development, culinary technique testing, and hands-on evaluation of cooking methods across hundreds of tested dishes. Every recipe in the AislePrompt catalog is cooked at least twice before publication. Full author profile →

Quick stovetop stir fry featuring tender strips of beef and fresh spinach in a savory soy-garlic sauce with a hint of sesame. This Korean-inspired beef recipe (gluten free), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs sirloin steak, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz, thinly sliced against the grain sirloin steak
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
3 minced garlic cloves
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
2 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp vegetable oil
6 cups packed fresh spinach
2 sliced thin green onions
1 tbsp, for garnish toasted sesame seeds
1/4 tsp, optional red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, and 2 tsp sesame oil. Add 12 oz thinly sliced sirloin steak and toss to coat. Marinate for 10 minutes at room temperature.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add marinated beef in a single layer, cooking for 2-3 minutes without stirring to develop a sear.
Step 3: Stir beef and cook for another 2 minutes until just cooked through and browned.
Step 4: Add 6 packed cups fresh spinach and 2 sliced green onions to skillet. Stir fry for 1-2 minutes until spinach wilts and is bright green.
Step 5: Season with 1/4 tsp black pepper and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the top before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stovetop Korean-Inspired Beef and Spinach Stir Fry 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 Stovetop Korean-Inspired Beef and Spinach Stir Fry?

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 sirloin steak from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stovetop Korean-Inspired Beef and Spinach Stir Fry?

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 Stovetop Korean-Inspired Beef and Spinach Stir Fry 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 Stovetop Korean-Inspired Beef and Spinach Stir Fry gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.