Description
This Spicy Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad is a quick and flavorful dish that combines savory, sweet, and spicy elements with a refreshing cucumber salad. Perfect for a fast weeknight dinner, this recipe balances rich ground beef seasoned with gochujang and sesame flavors alongside a crisp, tangy cucumber salad, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions for extra crunch and aroma.
Ingredients
Scale
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or erythritol for a low-carb option
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon green onions, chopped (plus more for garnish)
Cucumber Salad
- 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- Pinch of salt
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary to prevent greasiness.
- Season the Beef: Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, gochujang, brown sugar, minced garlic, and minced ginger to the skillet with the beef. Stir well to combine all the flavors evenly and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef. Remove from heat.
- Prepare the Cucumber Salad: In a separate bowl, combine the thinly sliced cucumber, rice vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Toss gently to coat the cucumber slices. Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes to allow the cucumbers to soften slightly and absorb the tangy vinaigrette flavors.
- Assemble and Serve: Plate the spicy Korean ground beef, then top with the cucumber salad. Finish by sprinkling sesame seeds and additional chopped green onions over the top for garnish. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a low-carb version, substitute brown sugar with erythritol or your preferred sugar substitute.
- If you prefer less spice, reduce the amount of gochujang or substitute with a milder chili paste.
- You can add cooked rice or steamed vegetables to make it a complete meal.
- Use fresh sesame seeds and green onions for the best garnish flavor and texture.
- Drain excess fat from the beef well to prevent the dish from being too greasy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
Keywords: Korean ground beef, spicy beef recipe, cucumber salad, quick Korean dinner, gochujang ground beef
