Ingredients
Beef Mixture
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 pound ground beef
Toppings
- Green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce mixture: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the soy sauce, light brown sugar, red pepper flakes, ground black pepper, and ground ginger. This will create a balanced sauce with savory, sweet, and spicy notes.
- Heat the skillet and oil: Place a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Allow it to warm for about 1 minute to ensure the oil is hot but not smoking, which will help release the flavors of the garlic.
- Cook the garlic: Add the garlic powder and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic for a smooth aromatic base.
- Brown the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook completely, breaking it apart as it cooks. This should take roughly 5-7 minutes until no longer pink.
- Drain excess fat: Carefully drain some of the fat from the skillet to avoid greasiness and to allow the flavors of the sauce to shine through.
- Add the sauce mixture: Reduce the heat to low and pour the prepared soy mixture over the cooked beef. Stir well to coat all the beef evenly.
- Simmer the beef in sauce: Cook the beef and sauce together for 2-3 minutes on low heat, allowing the beef to absorb the flavors and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve and garnish: Remove from heat and serve immediately. Top with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added freshness and crunch. Enjoy your flavorful Korean Ground Beef!
Notes
- For a milder version, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Use lean ground beef or ground turkey as a lighter alternative.
- Can be made gluten-free by using tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
