It seems a little fraudulent posting this recipe. First of all – it’s scarcely a recipe. Secondly – it’s all over the Internet in various remarkably similar renditions. Nonetheless, having recently gone wheat-free to see if I can eliminate migraines, I’m trying all kinds of new dishes – this was one of them. It took me by surprise because it is so good.
Bulgogi, the dish this is based on, uses thinly sliced steak. I’m sure using ground beef to make a dish called Korean Beef is also fraudulent – probably akin to calling a hamburger a tenderloin. Nonetheless – it meets all my requirements – easy, fast, incredibly tasty, and also wheat-free. (Gluten-free if you buy gluten-free soya sauce.)
Bulgogi is actually listed as the 23rd most delicious food in the world. Want to see all 50 of the most delicious foods? Click here.
I would list my source here but to be honest – I used a compilation of recipes and ended up with this version. Many of the recipes call for half-a-cup a white sugar which seems ridiculous. One of the key ingredients is sesame oil – so you might want to put that on your shopping list before making this. The red pepper flakes are kind of key too. Other than that – I think you can ad lib as you see fit.
Korean Beef
- 454 grams (1 lb) lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, finely diced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soya sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
- 2 green onions, chopped
Brown the beef and set aside.
Saute the onion in olive oil until the onion is translucent, add the garlic and continue cooking for a minute or two. Then add the brown sugar, soya sauce, sesame oil, red pepper flakes and ginger. Cook, stirring gently for another minute. Then add the cooked ground beef. Cook a further 5-10 minutes, stirring as necessary. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve over rice.
♥ Jam Tart ♥ 
That list is fascinating and I do love how your Korean beef sounds, one of my favorite foods is beef in a Korean restaurant, cooked at your table and wrapped in lettuce. Not sure what it’s called but its delicious, Love that you brought this to FF#33
Suzanne – thank you! You are so sweet. I’m running out to dinner but when I get home – going to visit every post at Fiesta Friday and hope to find you there! xo
Does sound incredibly tasty. Even though I’m still not eating meat. Although that might change this weekend. Have you read the connection between artificial ‘smelly’ air freshers and migraines? Can’t imagine you would be the type to have those (odious) things, but someone I used to share a house with did suffer from migraines – and it was her that had those things placed outside her room. Anyway, hope you manage to find the source. I’m off now to check out your link!
Johnny – I haven’t seen you for so long! This makes me wonder why you are not showing up in my reader so I will go check. And yes, I abhor all those smelly things. Today I searched high and low to find liquid hand soap without fragrance. Finally found some and paid more than twice than price. Made me scoff – to have pay to get no added pong.
Looks wonderful Lindy. I love bulgogi. I can see why it is the 23rd most delicious food in the world. I really like how you used ground beef. I like ground beef because you know it’s not going to be tough. I’ll have to make it. Adding it to the menu (still no chalkboard) for next week. 🙂 And you’re right…seriously 1/2 a cup of sugar? Geez. I like your version. Only 1/4 cup brown sugar.
Seana! So glad to see you. I like ground beef too (and ground lamb etc.) So versatile and tasty and I like being able to use a small quantity of meat. I was tempted to use even less sugar but actually – I liked the way this tasted. A bit of heat and a bit of sweet. 🙂 I served it to my daughter and she said it tastes exactly like Korean bbq (which I’ve never actually had).
Love this! My mom made a version of Korean Beef for almost every dinner party she had when I was growing up. I think she used skirt steak? Sometimes we had Korean Chicken for a change of pace. So good!!
I love that your mother made Korean Beef for dinner parties. I remember my mother making Beef Wellington! I remember one set of guests commenting on something to the effect of – “Beef Wellington AGAIN?!”
But, yes those Korean flavours – sweet, salty, hot – are really good aren’t they? Thank you for dropping by. 😉
My mom used to make this all the time growing up (minus the sugar and with fish sauce) and called it Vietnamese beef. I love how so many cultures have such similar foods! This looks quite tasty, Lindy!
Interesting Ngan – fish sauce would be a great addition.
This is a recipe…not a complicated one, but a recipe…and a good one! This is a ‘must-try’!
Thanks Tonette – I rarely ever cook anything complicated these days. Although every now and then I long to make something sophisticated. I can feel that urge coming on!
Wow, I love Bulgogi so much and it’s great to see a recipe here. Thanks also for sharing the list of top 50 delicious foods, so interesting!! Thanks for bringing this to the Fiesta! hugs, Sylvia
Hi Sylvia! What a sweet comment – thank you. Heading over your way next. 😉
Lindy
Korean beef is so good. I try to go to Koreatown at least once a month. I had bibimbap for lunch today. I know how you feel about posts like this. I recently made an Indian-esque dinner that combined two great dishes never found together. I’ll have to find a better way to describe it because it was delicious. I will definitely be making this.
Oh Amanda – I’m so constantly behind now that I was sure I had replied but somehow had not. I replied in my head – so perhaps you got that telepathically! 😉
I love that you get to Koreatown and that you have such a place to visit – the perks of living in the big city.
Come to Kingston and cook with me. Just bring the sardines… xox
There! We’ll have to arrange a play date. Maybe when we’re both depressed in the winter.
What a beautiful site you have. Korean beef is such a great recipe, love your version.
Thank you so much – it’s a cheater version but so tasty. Love the updated tuna casserole on your blog. On my chalkboard menu for this week. Thank you so much for dropping by.
Scarcely a recipe? Hardly. This is pure comfort. ❤
How simple and how satisfying. I love Korean tastes and over rice makes it perfect! 😛