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    Home / Recipes / Dinners

    Korean Beef and Broccoli

    By Lisa MarcAurele · Nov 18, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosures.

    Jump to Recipe
    korean beef broccoli with text.
    Recipe photo with text reading 30 minute ground beef & broccoli.
    Recipe photo with text reading 30 minute ground beef & broccoli.
    korean beef broccoli with text.

    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.

    korean ground beef broccoli served over white rice.

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    A skillet 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.

    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.

    Ingredients

    This dish comes together quickly with basic ingredients and it's a great way to get your veggies in.

    ingredients for korean beef broccoli.

    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.

    korean beef sauce.

    Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.

    browning ground beef in pot.

    Brown the ground beef over medium high heat in an oiled skillet then drain the fat.

    minced garlic added to browned ground beef.

    Stir in minced garlic.

    green pepper and broccoli added to beef.

    Add red pepper and broccoli florets.

    pouring sauce over beef and broccoli mixture in pot.

    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.
    korean ground beef on wooden spoon over pot.

    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 excellent option to cut back on carbs.

    If you're looking for something a little different, try serving your dish over soba noodles. Top with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra flavor. You can also add cucumber kimchi on the side.

    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

    What's a good substitute for rice vinegar?

    For a similar acidity, you can use white vinegar or cider vinegar. If you're looking for more of a sweetness, try balsamic vinegar.

    Can coconut oil be used?

    Coconut oil has a similar flavor to sesame oil, so it will work well in this Korean beef dish.

    What can be used instead of brown sugar?

    Coconut sugar, honey, or molasses are good substitutes but any sweetener that you prefer should work.

    korean beef broccoli over rice on plate with fork.

    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 ground beef broccoli served over white rice.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

    Korean Beef and Broccoli

    4.87 from 15 votes
    Looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner idea? This delicious Korean beef and broccoli dish only takes 30 minutes or less.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time15 minutes mins
    Total Time25 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Korean
    Servings (Adjustable): 1
    Calories: 549kcal
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    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.

    Notes

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 549kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 711mg | Potassium: 909mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2494IU | Vitamin C: 159mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 4mg

    Equipment

    small saucepan
    measuring spoon

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    About Lisa MarcAurele

    Lisa MarcAurele is a blogger and cookbook author. She created Little Bit Recipes to help people save money by minimizing leftovers when cooking for one or two people. Lisa is also a co-founder of Daily Life Travels, where you can discover new places to visit and things to do. You can sign up for her recipe emails to see all her latest content.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.87 from 15 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sherrie

      November 18, 2022 at 7:52 pm

      5 stars
      Simple, delicious, and absolutely flavor-packed! This is going to be a regular dish for us!

      Reply
    2. Angela

      November 19, 2022 at 2:16 pm

      5 stars
      I loved this beef and broccoli recipe , super tasty and super easy to make!

      Reply
    3. Jenn

      November 21, 2022 at 4:20 pm

      5 stars
      This is my new fav. I love that it's quick, and flavorful, and doesn't make enough to feed the block! Great recipe!

      Reply
    4. Sherry

      November 21, 2022 at 5:52 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    5. Donna

      November 24, 2022 at 8:31 pm

      5 stars
      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

      Reply
    6. Jennifer

      March 23, 2023 at 10:10 am

      What part of this recipe is Korean?

      Reply
      • Lisa MarcAurele

        March 23, 2023 at 11:33 am

        It has Korean inspired seasoning.

        Reply

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