Description
This Korean Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe offers a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner. Ground beef is cooked with aromatic garlic, ginger, and onions, then simmered in a savory-sweet sauce featuring soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and optional spicy gochujang. Steamed broccoli adds freshness and texture, making this dish a balanced and satisfying meal served over rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound ground beef (preferably 80/20 for flavor)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste, optional for heat)
Vegetables and Garnish
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds (optional for garnish)
- 2 green onions, sliced (optional for garnish)
To Serve
- Cooked rice (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef: Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion softens and the mixture becomes fragrant.
- Add and simmer the sauce: Stir in the low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and gochujang if using. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Steam the broccoli: While the sauce simmers, steam or blanch the broccoli florets until tender, about 3-4 minutes. This can be done by microwaving with a little water or steaming on the stovetop.
- Combine broccoli and beef mixture: Add the cooked broccoli to the skillet with the beef sauce. Stir well to coat the broccoli evenly and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the Korean ground beef and broccoli over cooked rice, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.
Notes
- You can adjust the heat level by omitting or adding extra gochujang.
- Using 80/20 ground beef adds flavor and some fat for deliciousness, but leaner options may be used for a lighter meal.
- Steaming broccoli preserves its nutrients better than boiling.
- Serve with jasmine or short-grain rice for an authentic Korean meal experience.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
