Description
At its core, this recipe is a modern, simplified take on traditional Korean flavors. Korean Ground Beef Lettuce Cups utilize the familiar profile of Bulgogi—the famous Korean grilled beef—but adapt it for the home cook using ground meat. Using ground beef makes the dish incredibly accessible, cost-effective, and fast.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500g (1 lb) ground beef
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (optional but recommended)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (or honey)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1–2 tsp gochujang (Korean chili paste, optional for spice)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
- Butter lettuce or romaine leaves (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the beef
Heat a pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed. - Add aromatics
Stir in garlic and ginger. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. - Make the sauce
Add soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and gochujang. Mix well and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. - Finish it off
Stir in chopped green onions and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. - Assemble
Spoon the beef mixture into clean lettuce leaves and serve immediately.
Notes
These Korean Ground Beef Lettuce Cups are a quick, flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy days. Feel free to customize with your favorite toppings and adjust the spice level to suit your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: ~320 kcal
Keywords: Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps, Ground Beef Ssam, Healthy Korean Beef Bowls, Low Carb Korean Beef Wraps, Asian Ground Beef Lettuce Cups