The bold flavors of a sweet and spicy sauce complement tender ground and veggies in this Korean beef and broccoli dish. It's perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a casual dinner party.

A traditional Korean dish of ground beef and broccoli is a simple, yet delicious way to enjoy a healthy meal. The beef is cooked with a variety of spices and the broccoli is added for a crunchy texture.
There are so many reasons to love Korean ground beef and broccoli! The beef is always incredibly flavorful, and the broccoli is the perfect accompaniment.
It's also a super easy dish to make. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a delicious meal to share with friends, this Asian inspired dish is always a winner.
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Ingredients
This dish comes together quickly with basic ingredients and it's a great way to get your veggies in.
Here's what you'll need to make the recipe:
- Ground beef - lean meat is recommended.
- Broccoli - fresh is preferred but frozen works too.
- Bell pepper - use red, orange, or yellow for a pop of color in the dish.
- Soy sauce - for special diets you can use gluten free or low sodium soy sauce.
- Brown sugar - any sweetener will work so feel free to use the one you prefer.
- Sesame oil - toasted sesame oil gives the best flavor.
- Garlic - fresh garlic minced is the preferred aromatic in Asian dishes.
- Rice vinegar - regular white vinegar or cider vinegar can be used instead.
- Red pepper flakes - don't skip the pepper flakes as they add the needed kick of spice.
- Ground ginger - it's best to use fresh if you have it but ground is often more convenient.
Scroll down to the recipe card below to see the amounts used.
Instructions
The great thing about this easy Korean beef and broccoli dish is that it can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. Just follow the easy-to-follow recipe.
Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
Brown the ground beef over medium high heat in an oiled skillet then drain the fat.
Stir in minced garlic.
Add red pepper and broccoli florets.
When vegetables are tender, stir in the soy sauce mixture and cook another minute or two until the sauce is warm.
Variations
If you're in the mood for Korean food but are tired of the same old Korean beef and broccoli recipe, there are ways to vary it up.
One way is to add different vegetables to the dish. Try adding mushrooms, carrots, or zucchini for a different flavor and texture.
Another way to change things up is to use a different type of protein. Chicken, pork, or shrimp would all be delicious in this dish.
With these simple changes, you can have a whole new dish that will satisfy your cravings.
Tips
Here's a few tips on making the best Korean ground beef and broccoli.
- Use lean ground beef so the finished dish isn't too greasy.
- Season the beef with salt, pepper, and other desired spices to up the flavor.
- Don't overcook the vegetables or they can become mushy.
- Use fresh ginger. If you have fresh ginger root on hand, use it instead of the dried powder. It adds a unique depth of flavor that you can't get from the dried version.
- Add a garnish. Sliced green onions and sesame seeds add flavor and make the dish look extra special.
Serving suggestions
The traditional way to serve the dish is as a Korean ground beef bowl by adding it to a bowl of steamed white rice. But you can use brown rice, quinoa, or farro instead. Cauliflower rice is another great option if you want to cut back on carbs.
If you're looking for something a little different, try serving your Korean beef and broccoli over soba noodles. Top with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra flavor.
For a fun twist on the classic dish, spoon the dish into lettuce wraps. This is a great option for lunch or as an appetizer.
Storage
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to 3 days.
FAQ
For a similar acidity, you can use white vinegar or cider vinegar. If you're looking for more of a sweetness, try balsamic vinegar.
Coconut oil has a similar flavor to sesame oil, so it will work well in this Korean beef dish.
Coconut sugar, honey, or molasses are good substitutes but any sweetener that you prefer should work.
Related Recipe
Need a few more easy dinner recipes for one? Here's a few more ideas you may want to check out.
- Single serve individual lasagna won't leave you with tons of leftovers.
- Seafood pot pie tastes like gourmet but is easy to make at home.
- Small batch chili made in the crock pot takes little time to prepare.
- Lao gan ma is another quick and easy Asian style dish!
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Recipe
Korean Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or gluten-free Tamari
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon rice vinegar
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or to taste
- pinch ground ginger
Beef & Vegetables
- ½ tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- ⅓ pound ground beef
- 1 small clove garlic minced
- ½ small red bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon sliced green onions garnish
- ½ sesame seeds optional garnish
- ½ cup steamed rice for serving
Instructions
- In small bowl, combine sauce ingredients. Set aside.
- Heat oil in small saucepan. When hot, stir and cook ground beef until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Drain fat then stir in minced garlic.
- Add red bell pepper and broccoli. Continue cooking until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in sauce and cook an additional minute or two until sauce is warm.
- Serve in serving bowl over steamed rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired.
Sherrie
Simple, delicious, and absolutely flavor-packed! This is going to be a regular dish for us!
Angela
I loved this beef and broccoli recipe , super tasty and super easy to make!
Jenn
This is my new fav. I love that it's quick, and flavorful, and doesn't make enough to feed the block! Great recipe!
Sherry
How can such a simple meal taste so amazing! In under 30 minutes I made your Korean beef and broccoli recipe and it tasted so delicious!
Donna
This had the perfect flavor and was so quick and easy to make for a busy weeknight! I made double so I could bring leftovers for lunch the next day
Jennifer
What part of this recipe is Korean?
Lisa MarcAurele
It has Korean inspired seasoning.