Easy Korean Ground Beef Stir-fry
Sweet, salty, with a little spicy kick, if you like, this quick and easy Korean Ground Beef will please your taste buds! Done in 20 minutes or less, so it’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners. It can also be made Paleo-friendly.
I love ground beef! We buy it in bulk at the beginning of each month, and then I separate the meat into 1-pound bags and freeze the ones I won’t use immediately.
That way, when I am in a quandary on what to make for dinner, I can simply pick a bag out of the freezer, saute it with some onions and garlic, add soy sauce, or whatever seasoning I fancy, and then mix it with any veggies available in the fridge. That means an easy dinner without the fuss that is quite healthy, too!
If you’re looking for a fast, flavorful dinner recipe that comes together in under 20 minutes, this Korean Ground Beef recipe deserves a spot in your weekly meal plan. Sweet, savory, and balanced with just the right touch of spice, this dish packs all the comforting flavors of Korean cuisine without the fuss. It’s budget-friendly, family-approved, and versatile enough to serve over rice, noodles, or even in lettuce wraps for a lighter option. Best of all—it can be made Paleo-friendly with a few quick swaps.
Why You’ll Love This Korean Ground Beef
This dinner has skyrocketed in popularity because it’s simple to prepare yet tastes like something you’d order at your favorite Korean BBQ spot. Ground beef is browned and simmered with garlic, ginger, soy sauce (or coconut aminos for Paleo), and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar or honey. The result is flavorful, juicy beef that pairs beautifully with steamed Jasmine rice, cauliflower rice, or fresh vegetables.
Versatile: Perfect for rice bowls, tacos, or wraps.
Quick and easy: Ready in only 20 minutes.
Customizable: Adjust the spice level to suit your taste buds.
Budget-friendly dinner: Uses simple pantry staples—great for meal planning.
But when you taste it, it seems like you simmered it or marinated it overnight, as it’s so very flavorful!
You’d also love the complexity of flavors here – it’s at once sweet, salty, and with a little spicy kick, if you choose to add some chili flakes there, and then enhanced by the aromatic and nutty flavor of sesame oil and seeds! Truly delicious!
How to Serve Korean Ground Beef
- Rice Bowls: The most classic way—pair with jasmine rice or short-grain white rice.
- Cauliflower Rice: A Paleo-friendly, low-carb option.
- Noodle Stir-Fry: Toss the beef with cooked udon noodles or rice noodles.
- Lettuce Wraps: Spoon beef into butter lettuce leaves for a light, handheld meal.
- Tacos: Yes—Korean beef tacos are a crowd-pleasing twist!
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
This dish is perfect for meal prep because the flavors deepen as it sits.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, then warm before serving.
For quick weekday lunches, portion into individual containers with rice and steamed veggies for ready-to-go Korean beef bowls.
Making It Paleo-Friendly
To keep this recipe Paleo-approved:
- Replace soy sauce with coconut aminos.
- Swap brown sugar for honey or coconut sugar.
- Opt for cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of white rice.
The result is still sweet, salty, and satisfying, but without gluten, soy, or refined sugars.
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INGREDIENTS for Korean Ground Beef over Rice
FULL INSTRUCTIONS & MEASUREMENTS in the RECIPE CARD below.
- ground or minced beef (a little fat with the beef is ok)
- garlic cloves
- soy sauce (if doing Paleo, replace with Coconut Aminos or wheat-free soy sauce for gluten-free diets)
- brown sugar (replace with raw Honey or other paleo-approved sweetener and adjust amount to taste e.g. 2-3 tablespoons to begin with)
- sesame oil
- fresh ginger (fresh is best for this dish!)
- red pepper flakes (if you wish to have some spicy kick, otherwise it’s optional)
- cooked rice for serving (replace with cauliflower rice or lettuce leaves for Paleo)
- roasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
- green onions or scallions (for garnish)
INSTRUCTIONS for Korean Ground Beef
- Heat the oil and brown the beef. Add the minced garlic. I cook the beef until it’s dark brown, as I want the meat to be a little crunchy.
- In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and freshly grated ginger (or ground ginger). Use fresh ginger if you can, as it adds a lot of flavor (truly a must for this recipe). Pour all the sauce into the beef and mix well.
- If desired, add sliced red chili pepper (if you want some spicy kick) and green onions.
- Cook just until everything is heated through. Sprinkle with sesame seeds on top, if desired.
- Serve on top of freshly cooked rice (or cauliflower rice and lettuce wraps, if preferred).
Tags: Korean, Asian, Beef, Ground Meat, Spicy, Sweet, Salty, Easy Recipe, Paleo, Gluten-Free
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Easy Korean Ground Beef Stir-fry
Can I make Korean Ground Beef ahead of time?
Yes! This dish is excellent for meal prep. Cook the beef as directed, let it cool, then store it in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the fridge.
What should I serve with Korean Ground Beef?
Steamed white rice is the most common side, but you can also serve it with quinoa, stir-fried vegetables, roasted broccoli, or lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
Is Korean Ground Beef gluten-free?
It can be! Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce.
Can I make this dish spicier?
Absolutely. Add more crushed red pepper, sriracha, or a spoonful of gochujang to increase the heat.
Can I use another protein instead of beef?
Yes. Ground chicken, turkey, or pork all work well with the same flavor-packed sauce.
Can I freeze Korean Ground Beef?
Yes, this recipe freezes beautifully. Store cooled beef in freezer bags for up to 2 months, then thaw and reheat for a quick weeknight dinner.
This easy Korean Ground Beef recipe is a weeknight lifesaver—ready in under 20 minutes, packed with sweet and savory flavors, and endlessly versatile for bowls, wraps, or meal prep. Whether you’re craving a quick comfort food dinner or need a Paleo-friendly meal idea, this dish delivers big taste with little effort.
Korean Ground Beef Over Rice
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- ¼ cup soy sauce, (if doing Paleo, replace with Coconut Aminos or wheat-free soy sauce for gluten-free diets)
- ¼ cup brown sugar, (replace with raw Honey or other paleo-approved sweetener and adjust the amount to taste e.g. 2-3 tablespoons to begin with)
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 fresh ginger (about 3-inches long), peeled and grated (or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
- pinch red pepper flakes, optional
- cooked Rice, (or cauliflower rice or Lettuce leaves for Paleo)
- roasted sesame seeds, for garnish
- 3 green onions or scallions, sliced thinly
Instructions
- Cook the beef and minced garlic in a preheated skillet until the meat turns brown. I cook the beef until it’s dark brown as I want the meat to be a little crunchy.
- In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, grated ginger (or ground ginger) and red pepper flakes (if using). Replace with paleo-approved ingredients if doing paleo. Use fresh ginger if you can as it adds a lot of flavor (truly a must for this recipe). Pour all the sauce into the beef and mix well. Cook just until everything is heated through.
- Serve on top of freshly cooked rice (or cauliflower rice and lettuce wraps, if preferred). Garnish with roasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Enjoy!
Notes
Last updated on September 9th, 2025 at 02:06 pm
This Korean Ground Beef with rice hits the spot so damn good mate.
I love how quickly this Korean ground beef came together, it was a great recipe to make on a weeknight. It was so good and my husband is already asking when I can make it again!
Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it did not disappoint! Perfectly bold and flavorful and perfect for busy weeknights!
This is my go to meal for busy weeknights! I just love ground beef, and this Korean ground beef recipe is so easy to make.
This Korean ground beef such a quick and easy meal to make. It has so much flavor and is something new for my family.
I love Korean flavors especially if it’s something that’s convenient to make at home! This looks delicious and satisfying!
Do u freeze the raw burger in 1lb packages or do u freeze it after you cook it?
When I cook it, we eat it immediately so I never freeze it. I love the taste of the fresh ginger that’s why and am not sure it would taste the same after it’s been frozen then defrosted. But certainly freeze raw ground beef in 1 lb packets so you can simply add the seasoning when you desire to cook it.
This is a favorite in my house—quick, easy and oh sooooo good!! Yummy.
Yay! So glad to know that and thanks for letting us know!
Holy cow! This is fantastic! I made it with turkey, otherwise stuck to the recipe. It really satisfied our urge for takeout, but was healthier and cost a ton less. This is a keeper that is going on rotation!
I am so delighted you enjoyed this! Thank you for letting us know!
Thank you for such a great recipe. I’ve made it so many times and we just love it. Made it again tonight. It never disappoints!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed this! It’s such a keeper. Thank you so much!
I am actually leaving a 5 star (it wouldn’t let me when I pressed on it). Easy, quick and delicious! Definitely have to use fresh grated ginger, made all the difference! My family really lioved it! Thank you!
This is a true 5 star recipe and so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for letting us know.