Korean BBQ Beef

Finished bowl of Korean BBQ beef made with savory, slightly sweet ground beef cooked in a glossy soy-sesame sauce, served over steamed rice with sliced cucumbers, scallions, and sesame seeds as a healthy Asian dinner.
This Korean BBQ Beef is one of the quickest, healthiest, and delicious meals you can make on those super busy nights where just plain ground beef doesn't sound appetizing. Garlic and ginger help build the flavor base while the ground beef adds that simple, clean protein, and the umami sauce ties it all together for a complete meal.
Servings: 2 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
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Equipment

Ingredients 

Beef

  • 16 oz ground beef
  • Neutral oil, for cooking

Aromatics

  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, finely minced

Sauce

Optional Garnishes

  • Rice, for serving
  • Sesame seeds
  • Scallions
  • Cucumbers

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 445kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 30gFat: 31g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Table of Contents

Korean BBQ Beef Is For Cooking When You Don’t Want To Really Want To Cook

This Korean BBQ Beef is one of those meals when I really don’t feel like doing a ton of cooking but don’t want to spend a ton of money on takeout. Sure, this Korean BBQ Beef doesn’t need the aromatics to be chopped and a sauce, but I also prefer my meals to be delicious! This Korean BBQ Beef strikes that balance where it’s still fast and filling, but still tastes delicious, which will for sure brighten your day!

Close-up spoonful of Korean BBQ beef showing caramelized ground beef coated in a rich soy-sesame sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and scallions over a bowl of rice.
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What Makes This Korean BBQ Beef So Good

The best part of this Korean BBQ Beef is that you don’t need a grill or any fancy ingredients, just some pantry staples and 15 minutes. The sauce not only brings its sweet and salty flavors that give the beef its signature Korean BBQ flavor, but it also creates those grilled bits in the pan that really make it feel like you went to a restaurant to get this dish. I usually like to spoon my Korean BBQ Beef over hot rice with cucumbers and scallions for texture and freshness, but honestly, you do whatever you like. It’s amazing either way!

What You’ll Need To Make Korean BBQ Beef

Beef

  • 16 oz ground beef
  • Neutral oil, for cooking

Aromatics

  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, finely minced

Sauce

  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp sugar

Optional Garnish

  • Steamed white rice, for serving
  • Sesame seeds
  • Scallions
  • Cucumbers

How To Make Korean BBQ Beef

Finely mince garlic and ginger and set aside.

Finely minced garlic and ginger being chopped on a wooden cutting board to build the aromatic base for Korean BBQ beef.

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Minced garlic and ginger sizzling in neutral oil in a nonstick pan as the first cooking step for Korean BBQ beef.

Add ground beef and let it sear undisturbed for 2 minutes. Then break it apart and cook another 3 minutes until fully browned.

Ground beef added to a pan over sautéed garlic and ginger, beginning to brown before being broken apart for Korean BBQ beef.

Add dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Stir until sauce thickens and evenly coats the beef.

Dark and light soy sauce being poured into browned ground beef to create the savory-sweet Korean BBQ beef sauce.

Serve over hot rice. Garnish with sesame seeds, scallions, and cucumbers.

Fresh sliced scallions being sprinkled over Korean BBQ beef and rice to finish the dish with color and freshness.

Tips & Variations

If you want an even lower fat version, use a leaner ratio of ground beef. You can also try to make this with ground turkey or ground chicken. Either one works great!

Feel free to double the sauce if you like your beef to be extra saucy. I find that the extra sauce soaks into those rice grains, making every bite a flavor bomb!

If you like your dishes spicy, add gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) or chili oil directly in the sauce!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this low-carb?

Yes, just swap the rice for cauliflower rice. I also love to use lettuce wraps. The flavor will all still be there!

Is there a substitute for dark soy sauce?

If you don’t have dark soy sauce, use regular soy sauce and a pinch of brown sugar to deepen the color and flavor. Substitute the soy sauce in a 1:1 ratio with the dark soy sauce.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Absolutely! This dish is super easy to store and reheat. Feel free to add the rice and beef to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave for 2 minutes while covered with a paper towerl.

Can I add vegetables?

Yes! I personally like to add my vegetables on the side. I love to pair this beef with shredded cabbage, sliced cucumbers, and kimchi!

What to Make Next

If you want something spicy and flavorful, try my Thai Basil Chicken!
Need another quick dinner for those busy weeknights? You’ll love my Teriyaki Chicken!

For another homemade version of a takeout dinner, try my Beijing Beef!

About Mitchell Masuda

I'm a home (and self-taught) cook based in New York sharing easy, delicious, and approachable Asian food recipes!

Read More About Me

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