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Korean Spicy Beef Stir Fry

A quick and spicy beef stir-fry made with tender beef strips, gochujang sauce, garlic, and ginger. This easy 30-minute recipe is bold, saucy, and perfect for a flavour-packed weeknight dinner.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time6 minutes
Marination Time30 minutes
Total Time46 minutes
Servings: 3

Ingredients

For the beef and marinade:

  • 400–500 g Lean beef strips
  • 3 tbsp Gochujang
  • 2 tbsp Vnegar
  • 1-2 tbsp Hot sauce (I used siracha)
  • 1 tbsp Dark soy sauce (optional)
  • 1 tbsp Light soy sauce
  • 1½ tbsp Honey
  • 5–6 Minced Garlic cloves
  • 1 inch Grated piece ginger
  • 1 Medium thinly sliced onion
  • 1½ tsp Chili flakes (optional, for extra heat)
  • ½ tsp Freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Splash of water (optional, only if sauce is too thick)

For garnish:

  • 2–3 Green parts of chopped green onions
  • 1 tsp Sesame oil (to drizzle at the end)
  • 1 tsp Toasted sesame seeds (optional)

For serving:

  • Steamed white rice
  • Kimchi on the side

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine gochujang, vinegar, hot sauce, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, sliced onion, chili flakes, black pepper, and salt. Mix well until you form a smooth, rich, and well-balanced Korean-style marinade base.
  • Add the beef strips into the marinade and toss thoroughly, making sure every piece is evenly coated with the sauce. Cover and let it rest for 20–30 minutes so the beef absorbs all the bold, spicy, sweet, and savoury flavours.
  • Heat a wok or large pan over high heat and add a small amount of neutral oil. Allow the pan to become properly hot so the beef sears quickly instead of steaming.
  • Add the marinated beef mixture directly into the hot wok. Stir-fry on high heat for 5–6 minutes, stirring frequently so the beef cooks evenly and the sauce begins to slightly thicken and caramelize.
  • If the sauce becomes too thick during cooking, add a small splash of water to loosen it and maintain a glossy, silky coating on the beef.
  • Once the beef is fully cooked and tender, switch off the heat and drizzle sesame oil over it to enhance aroma and add a deep, nutty finish.
  • Finally, garnish with freshly chopped green onions and sesame seeds for freshness and texture. Serve immediately over steamed white rice, ideally with kimchi on the side for a complete and authentic meal experience.