Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry is an easy, healthy meal you can prepare in under 30 minutes.
This dish features ground beef and mixed vegetables cooked in a slightly sweet soy-based sauce. Ground beef keeps the recipe budget-friendly and quick, but you can substitute sliced beef if you prefer.
It’s a reliable weeknight favorite: simple to make, full of flavor, and cooked in one pan.
Enjoy it on its own or serve over steamed rice for a complete meal.
How to Make Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry
- In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up, then add the diced onion.
- Cook until the beef is lightly browned, about 5–7 minutes, stirring and crumbling as it cooks.
- Add minced garlic, bell pepper, broccoli, and carrots. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes to begin softening the vegetables.
- Pour in the sauce and cook, stirring frequently, for 3–5 minutes until the sauce reduces slightly and coats the beef and veggies.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with extra soy sauce or crushed red pepper if desired.
- Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Serve immediately, either by itself or over rice.
Time Saving Tips
The full recipe takes about 30 minutes. To speed things up further, try these shortcuts:
- Mix the sauce ahead of time and keep it refrigerated; whisk again before using.
- Use packaged shredded or pre-julienned carrots.
- Buy pre-cut broccoli florets and trim them smaller if needed.
- Combine and store the prepared vegetables (garlic, carrots, broccoli, bell pepper) in a container so they’re ready to cook.
With prep done in advance, the stir fry comes together in about 15 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Types of Ground Beef
- 90% lean ground beef works well and usually doesn’t require draining. If using 85% lean or fattier meat, drain excess fat after browning and before adding vegetables.
- To remove fat without transferring the beef, push the meat to one side of the pan and tilt it so fat pools on the other side. Carefully blot the fat with folded paper towels (use tongs or a utensil to protect your hands), then discard the towels.
Want It Spicier?
- Increase crushed red pepper in the sauce or finish the dish with Sriracha for more heat. Adjust to taste.
Enjoy!
If you try this recipe, please leave a review and star rating in the comments to share how it turned out.
Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry {Easy, One Pot, 30-Minute Meal}
Equipment
- 12″ Cast Iron Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef (90% lean recommended)
- ½ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced (about 5–6 cloves)
- 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, julienned or shredded
- 2 cups broccoli florets, cut into smaller pieces
Sauce:
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup reduced sodium soy sauce (use Tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- ½ tsp ground ginger (or 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Garnish:
- Green onions, sliced
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Whisk all sauce ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and onion; cook until beef is slightly browned, about 5–7 minutes, breaking meat into crumbles.
- Add garlic, bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the sauce and cook, stirring frequently, for 3–5 minutes until it reduces slightly.
- Taste and add extra soy sauce or crushed red pepper if desired.
- Remove from heat and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve on its own or over rice.
Video
Notes
Types of Ground Beef:
- 90% lean works well without draining. For fattier beef, drain excess fat after cooking and before adding vegetables.
- See the notes above for a safe, easy method to remove fat from the pan.
Want it Spicier?
- Add more crushed red pepper in the sauce or finish with Sriracha.
Nutritional info is for 1/4 of the recipe. The dish can serve 4–5 depending on portion size.
Nutrition Facts
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Calories: 380 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 25.9 g
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Protein: 23.9 g
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Fat: 18.1 g
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Saturated Fat: 5.5 g
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Cholesterol: 75 mg
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Sodium: 108.3 mg
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Fiber: 2.4 g
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Sugar: 22 g
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Watch the VIDEO to see how to make Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry and subscribe to the YouTube channel for more recipe videos.
Try some of our other ground beef recipes:
- Ground Beef Stroganoff {with Greek Yogurt}
- The Best Slow-Cooker Chili {3-Meat, 3-Bean Chili}
- Double Double Animal Style {In-N-Out Burger Copycat}