Spicy Korean Ground Beef Salad (Printable)
Bold Korean-spiced beef over crisp vegetables with tangy sesame dressing
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Spicy Korean Beef
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
02 - 2 tbsp avocado oil or neutral oil
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated (about 1 tbsp)
05 - 2 tbsp tamari (gluten-free soy sauce)
06 - 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
07 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
08 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
09 - 1 tbsp erythritol or preferred keto sweetener
10 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ For the Salad
12 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, spinach, or leaf lettuce)
13 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
14 - 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
15 - 1/2 cup carrots, julienned (optional, omit for strict keto)
16 - 4 green onions, sliced
17 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
→ For the Sesame Dressing
18 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
19 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
20 - 2 tsp tamari
21 - 1 tsp keto sweetener
22 - 1 tsp fresh lime juice
23 - 1/2 tsp garlic, finely minced
24 - Pinch of salt
→ Garnishes
25 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
26 - 1 small red chili, thinly sliced (optional)
27 - Extra cilantro or green onions
# Directions:
01 - Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned (about 5–6 minutes).
02 - Add garlic and ginger; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in tamari, gochujang, rice vinegar, sesame oil, erythritol, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef. Remove from heat.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together all sesame dressing ingredients until smooth.
05 - Divide greens, cabbage, cucumber, carrots, green onions, and cilantro among 4 bowls or plates.
06 - Spoon hot Korean beef over the salads. Drizzle with sesame dressing. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, sliced chili, and extra herbs as desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You get all those restaurant-quality Korean flavors in under 30 minutes without derailing your macros
- The hot beef over cold crisp greens creates this incredible temperature contrast that makes every bite exciting
- Everything cooks in one pan and the dressing comes together in seconds
02 -
- Let the beef get properly browned and crispy in places instead of just gray and cooked through
- The dressing might taste strong on its own but it perfectly balances the rich beef when combined
03 -
- Grate your ginger against the grain so you get the flavorful juice and leave behind the tough fibers
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes before sprinkling them on for insane nutty flavor