Gochujang coats browned beef in a savory, gently sweet sauce, with green beans and broccoli cooked separately so they keep some bite. Ginger and garlic go in after the beef has colored. Serve over jasmine rice and scatter the scallion greens on at the table.
Cook the vegetables first
Brown the green beans and broccoli, then take them out of the pan. The beef needs its own turn against the hot skillet. A brief covered steam with a splash of water can soften stubborn broccoli without leaving the whole dish watery.
Gochujang is the sauce base
The optional mild Korean chile powder adds chile flavor; it does not replace the gochujang. Brown sugar or honey supplies the small added sweetness specified in the recipe. Let the sauce turn glossy and cling to the beef before returning the vegetables.
A cold side helps
The source suggests cucumber with a little rice vinegar for a sharper contrast, or a fried egg for a more substantial bowl. Keep any cucumber alongside the hot mixture, where it can stay crisp.
Glaze of Glory — Gochujang beef with green beans and broccoli
Ingredients
Method
- Start the jasmine rice so it is ready when the skillet mixture is done.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 1 teaspoon neutral oil. Add the green beans and broccoli, season with a generous pinch of kosher salt, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, tossing occasionally, until browned in spots and crisp-tender. If the broccoli needs help softening, add a splash of water and cover for 1 minute. Transfer the vegetables to a bowl.
- Return the skillet to medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until well browned with some darker crisp edges rather than merely gray steamed meat. Drain excess fat only if there is a large amount.
- Add the garlic, ginger, and scallion whites. Cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Stir together the soy sauce, gochujang, brown sugar or honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, water, and optional Korean chile powder. Pour the sauce into the skillet and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, until glossy and clinging to the beef.
- Return the green beans and broccoli to the skillet. Toss until coated and heated through, then taste and adjust with salt, pepper, or a little more gochujang if wanted.
- Serve over jasmine rice. Finish with scallion greens and optional sesame seeds.
Notes
What to cook next
For cooling and reheating guidance, read the cooking notes. Choose another meal from weeknight dinners or the comfort-food collection.