Spicy Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad

Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where bold flavors and easy recipes come together. If you’re craving a quick, spicy, and satisfying meal, this Spicy Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and fresh crunch.

The beef is rich with classic Korean seasonings, while the cucumber salad adds cool brightness to balance the heat. With years of recipe development, I’ve created this dish to be simple, fast, and full of flavor ideal for weeknights or meal prep. Here’s a complete guide with ingredients, instructions, flavor variations, and serving tips.

Why This Recipe Works

• Ground beef cooks quickly and absorbs Korean-inspired sauce for rich, layered taste
• Crisp cucumber salad with vinegar and sesame lightens and refreshes the palate
• Quick prep makes it an easy, balanced meal
• Uses pantry staples and fresh produce
• Gluten-free adaptable by using tamari instead of soy sauce
• Well-balanced protein, fresh veggies, and flavorful seasoning

Ingredients & Prep

For the Korean Ground Beef

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or lean)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar or maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 green onions, sliced

For the Cucumber Salad

• 2 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Optional: sliced fresh chili or red pepper flakes

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare cucumber salad: Toss cucumber slices with rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, salt, garlic, sesame seeds, and chili flakes if using. Refrigerate while preparing beef.
2. Cook beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, garlic, and ginger; cook until beef is browned and cooked through.
3. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, gochujang, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes to the beef; stir well to combine and cook another 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
4. Remove from heat, stir in green onions.
5. Serve beef over rice or noodles, with cucumber salad on the side or layered on top.

Flavor Variations

• Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option.
• Add shredded carrots or bell peppers to cucumber salad for extra crunch.
• Top with a fried egg for an added richness.

Storage Tips

Store beef and cucumber salad separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Reheat beef gently and serve cucumber salad fresh.

FAQs

• Can I make this spicy or mild? Adjust gochujang and red pepper flakes to taste.
• Is this gluten-free? Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
• Can I meal prep this? Yes, stores well and assembles quickly for lunches or dinners.

Conclusion

Experience the bold, spicy, and fresh flavors of Spicy Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad a perfect quick meal with balanced textures and taste. For more vibrant recipes, visit dishfoody.com and try our Asian Cucumber Salad.

Spicy Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad

Print Recipe

Flavorful and spicy Korean Ground Beef paired with a refreshing cucumber salad. This easy recipe combines savory, sweet, and spicy beef with crisp cucumber for a balanced and delicious meal.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Korean, Asian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• For the ground beef:
• 1 lb ground beef
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• For the cucumber salad:
• 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, sliced

Instructions

• 1. In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned.
• 2. Add soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook for 3-5 minutes until sauce thickens.
• 3. Meanwhile, mix cucumbers with rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, salt, sesame seeds, and green onions in a bowl.
• 4. Serve spicy beef over rice or noodles with cucumber salad on the side.

Notes

• Adjust red pepper flakes for desired heat level.
• Use lean ground beef for lighter dish.
• Great for quick weeknight dinners.
• Add steamed rice or lettuce wraps for serving.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: korean ground beef, spicy beef, cucumber salad, quick dinner