Hello, lovely readers!

Today, I’m sharing one of my absolute favorite stir fry recipes that brings the vibrant flavors of Korea right to your kitchen: Korean Style Steak Stir Fry. If you’ve been here for awhile, you’re already familiar with my unnatural obsession with korean food, culture, language, and dramas. This is my twist on Korean bulgogi that comes together fast for those busy days and nights. For me, after a chaotic day at work, this is go-to meal – my husband watches our toddlers (BLESS HIM because that job is much harder than mine) and I put on some music, pour a glass of wine, and get to cooking!

So, gather your ingredients, and let’s dive into this delightful Korean beef stir fry recipe for dinner tonight!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb ribeye, cut into thin strips
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons sesame oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup Mirin
2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon oyster sauce or hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
3-4 bunches of baby bok choy, chopped
1 small bowl of green onions, sliced into 2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons of oil: I prefer avocado oil for health reasons but canola oil or vegetable oil work too
1/2 cup chicken broth or beef bone broth
Cooked brown rice or warm rice noodles to serve – I prefer short grain rice from my rice cooker, cooked in bone broth
Kimchi for serving
Optional: Korean chile paste (gochujang) for added spice

korean beef stir fry gochujang riibeye kimchi

Instructions:

Marinate the Beef: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, Mirin, rice wine vinegar, minced garlic, and oyster sauce or hoisin sauce. Add the thin strips of ribeye and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes. This step is crucial for infusing the beef with a delicious and flavorful sauce.
Prep the Veggies: While the beef is marinating, prepare your vegetables. Slice the red bell pepper into thin strips, chop the baby bok choy, and cut the green onions into 2-inch pieces. Set everything aside.
Cooking Process Begins: Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the avocado oil (or your preferred oil) and let it heat up until it shimmers.
Cook the Beef for a Crispy Texture: Once the oil is hot, add the marinated beef, spreading it out in a single layer. Let the beef cook undisturbed for about 2-3 minutes on one side to develop a crispy texture. Flip the beef strips and cook for another 2-3 minutes until browned and cooked through, but still tender in the middle. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
Stir Fry the Veggies: In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed. Toss in the red bell pepper and baby bok choy. Stir fry for about 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are tender but still crisp. Add the green onions and cook for another minute.
Combine Everything: Return the beef to the skillet, mixing it with the veggies. Pour in the chicken broth or beef bone broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any delicious bits stuck to the bottom. Let everything simmer together for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Sprinkle in the sesame seeds and give it one last stir.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve your Korean Style Steak Stir Fry over a bed of cooked brown rice or warm rice noodles. For a fun twist, you can also serve it as a lettuce wrap. Top with a side of kimchi for an authentic Korean touch. If you like it spicy, add a dollop of Korean chile paste (gochujang) to the beef marinade or to the beef while cooking.

Tips for the Best Flavor

Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic cloves, green onions, and bell peppers will make a big difference in the flavor of your stir fry.
High-Quality Beef: Opt for a good quality ribeye or flank steak or top sirloin. Cutting it into thin strips helps it cook quickly and absorb the marinade.
Hot Skillet: Ensure your skillet is hot before adding the beef. This helps sear the meat, locking in those tasty juices.
Marinate for Longer: If you have time, marinate the beef for a few hours or even overnight. This enhances the flavor and tenderness.
Customize Your Heat: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes and add Korean chile paste if you like your stir fry spicy.

Why I Love This Recipe

This Korean Style Steak Stir Fry is a great way to bring a taste of Korean dishes into your home. It’s a versatile recipe that you can easily adapt based on what you have in your pantry. Sometimes, I’ll swap the beef for shrimp or even make a chicken stir fry using the same flavorful sauce. The whole family loves it – and it’s one of those stir fries that I can make any night of the week without feeling overwhelmed. If you’re feeling like whipping up the perfect, easy, korean side dish (banchan) to accompany this meal, I’d suggest Korean Fish Cake – check out my recipe!

Cooking after work is my go-to way to unwind. After 6 to 7 hours of meetings each day, by 5 PM, I’m itching to get up and create something. When I was a little girl, I used to “play house,” dreaming of growing up to be a loving wife and a warm, nurturing mama, spending my evenings making home-cooked meals. Well, I got my wish! Although, I also juggle a demanding tech career. 🙂 But hey, who says you can’t have it all?

Despite the crazy schedule my career demands, I’ve found ways to prioritize the things that bring me joy: like cooking and entertaining. There’s something magical about filling our home with the smells of fresh, delicious food. The toddlers often help with little tasks like stirring the sauce, and my teenagers help set the table while sharing stories about their days or their latest triumphs in whatever video game they’re playing this week. It’s these moments that make cooking a fun family activity and blend all the parts of me—loving mom, career woman, creator—into one beautiful whole. It brings me so much joy to create meals for my family – it’s my very favorite part of being a grownup.

Balancing a high-pressure job with a nurturing home life isn’t easy, but it’s the everyday rituals that keep me grounded and happy. Every evening, as I work in the kitchen, I’m reminded of the joy in creating something tangible and delicious for my family. It’s my way to decompress from the demands of the day – lately there are many – and demonstrate my love for my family and the Lord. Servitude, when voluntary and intentional, is a beautiful, empowering gift. (I’ll come back to write more on this topic soon!)

Fun Fact: Korean Dramas Make Me a Better Mom

I grew up in Maine. Not coastal Maine, but the western mountain region. My childhood was marked with summers at the lakes, surrounded by mountains, clear and starry night skies; my personal story is set against a quaint paper mill town, French-Canadian ancestry and illegal immigration. My hobby, from age 3 to… well… now – has been reading. As soon as I learned to read, I filled my mind with cultures and stories from around the world.

Although I wasn’t well-traveled in reality, in my mind I had been all over the world and all through time. Because I felt trapped in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, I used my imagination to bring me anywhere I wanted to go. The advent of the internet cracked my passion for culture wiiiiide open – and eventually, in my early 30’s I discovered Korean culture, first through a korean drama called Boys Over Flowers. I became so enraptured with their food, their shows, their music, and their language, that I hired a language tutor and since then have spent nearly a decade learning how to cook Korean food and speak Korean.

The best part of this cultural exploration has been the way it has bridged gaps with my children. They have also fallen in love with the food and culture, and many of our nights together are spent watching kdramas, practicing language skills, and listening to kpop on our car rides together.

Nutritional Information

For those mindful of their calorie intake, this beef stir fry recipe fits well within a balanced diet. It’s a delicious way to enjoy a variety of vegetables and protein, perfect for maintaining your daily values while indulging in a flavorful meal.

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (which is rare in our house – my 3 teenagers are always ravenous!), they keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days. Simply reheat in a skillet over medium heat, and they’re as good as new. This dish is also great for meal prepping; just keep the beef and veggies separate from the rice or noodles until you’re ready to eat.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy making and eating this Korean Style Steak Stir Fry as much as my family and I do. It’s an easy recipe that brings a taste of Korea to your dinner table, perfect for any night of the week. Happy cooking!

If you try this recipe, please let me know how it turned out in the comments. I’d love to hear about your cooking adventures and any tweaks you made to the dish. Until next time, keep exploring, cooking, and loving life!

With love from Maine,

JMLM

Korean Beef Stir Fry (A Quick Twist on Bulgogi!)

This quick and delicious Korean Style Steak Stir Fry features tender ribeye strips marinated to perfection and stir-fried with vibrant veggies. Serve over rice or noodles and enjoy a flavorful, homemade meal that's ready in just 30 minutes!

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Cuisine korean

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb ribeye cut into thin strips
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons sesame oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup Mirin
2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves minced
1 tablespoon oyster sauce or hoisin sauce
1 red bell pepper sliced into thin strips
3-4 bunches of baby bok choy chopped
1 small bowl of green onions sliced into 2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons of oil: I prefer avocado oil for health reasons but canola oil or vegetable oil work too
1/2 cup chicken broth or beef bone broth
Cooked brown rice or warm rice noodles to serve – I prefer short grain rice from my rice cooker cooked in bone broth
Kimchi for serving
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for a spicy kick
Optional: Korean chile paste gochujang for added spice

Instructions

Marinate the Beef: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, Mirin, rice wine vinegar, minced garlic, and oyster sauce.
Add ribeye strips and marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Prep the Veggies: Slice the red bell pepper, chop the baby bok choy, and cut the green onions into 2-inch pieces.
Heat the Skillet: Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add avocado oil and heat until it shimmers.
Cook the Beef: Add marinated beef in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until crispy. Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until browned and tender. Remove and set aside.
Stir Fry the Veggies: In the same skillet, add more oil if needed. Stir fry the bell pepper and baby bok choy for 3-4 minutes until tender but crisp. Add green onions and cook for another minute.
Combine and Simmer: Return beef to the skillet. Pour in chicken or beef broth to deglaze the pan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and stir.
Serve: Serve over cooked brown rice or white rice or rice noodles.
Optional: Add kimchi on the side and gochujang (thinned with some sesame oil) for extra spice.