The Best Ever Korean BBQ Tacos
A fusion of Korean flavors and Mexican tacos, featuring marinated bulgogi beef, kimchi slaw, and spicy gochujang sauce. This korean-mexican fusion-inspired mexican ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef, soy sauce, gochujang paste for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, 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 ground beef
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp gochujang paste
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 (minced) garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 8 (corn or flour) tortillas
- 1 cup (chopped) kimchi
- 1/2 head (shredded) cabbage
- 1 (cut into wedges) lime
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp gochujang paste, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp sesame oil. Mix thoroughly until the beef is evenly coated. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Shape the marinated beef into 8 small patties. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Let rest for 2 minutes.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup chopped kimchi, 1/2 head shredded cabbage, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp sesame oil. Toss to combine.
- Step 4: Warm 8 tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Assemble tacos by placing 1 beef patty on each tortilla, followed by 1/4 cup kimchi slaw. Top with a squeeze of lime juice and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Ever Korean BBQ Tacos 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 The Best Ever Korean BBQ Tacos?
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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Ever Korean BBQ Tacos?
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 The Best Ever Korean BBQ Tacos for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 The Best Ever Korean BBQ Tacos?
Korean-Mexican Fusion mexican 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
