Easy Slow Cooker Korean Beef
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours on low
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: Makes 2-4 servings 1x
Description
Ingredients
1 lb extra lean ground beef (93% lean 7% fat)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 Tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground red pepper
1 tsp minced ginger
1 Tbsp tomato paste
Sliced green onion, for garnish
Instructions
1. Add beef to slow cooker and break it up into small chunks with a spoon.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, red pepper, ginger and tomato paste. Stir into the slow cooker and really coat the beef.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for about 3-4 hours.
4. Stir again, breaking up chunks.
5. Serve beef and sauce over rice and garnish with green onion.
Notes
Ideal slow cooker size: 3 quart
Click here for the Instant Pot version of this recipe.
Recipe adapted from The Girl Who Ate Everything
- Method: Slow Cooker
Review:
One of my worst jobs is standing over the stove and babysitting _____________ (fill in the blank). It could be the risotto or the beef that I’m browning or whatever. I don’t like to do it. And that’s why I use my crock pot as much as possible. Because I can throw everything in and be done with it, for heaven’s sake. That’s why when I see a fairly easy recipe to begin with I think to myself “how can I make this even easier?” And ta-da! I did it. I made a simple recipe even easier with the help of my friend, the slow cooker. This beef is very flavorful! We all loved it. And I bet you didn’t know you could put raw ground beef in the slow cooker and have it look like that! It worked awesome. Just make sure to use the extra lean ground beef or else it will be swimming in grease! 4 stars.
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Rally says
A-Plus. I used 85% lean ground beef, defatted the juice at the end, and used a corn starch slurry to thicken the whole thing. But everything else was the same. This recipe is excellent and incredibly easy.
Karen says
Thanks for the nice review!
Marla says
My family has requested this at least once a week since I first tried it. I also put a whole Tri tip in my crockpot with this amazing sauce on it and they all raved. But their fav is the ground beef. This recipe is in my top 5. Thank you.
Karen says
Wow thanks Marla! That is so great to hear!
Susan Griffin says
I’ve made this a couple of times, varying the extras each time because when you have a phenomenal base recipe, why not explore, right. I am truly appreciative of your recipe! My fave add, because I like a little heat and smoke, is to add two rehydrated, seeded and chopped ancho chiles.
Karen says
yum! love that idea 🙂
Heather Wisner says
This turned out delicious!
Karen says
Awesome! Thanks for the 5 stars Heather.
Tony says
can I c brown the ground beef before I put it in the slow cooker
Karen says
sure!
Jennifer Centeno says
Delicious!
Karen says
Thanks! I am glad you liked it!
Tony says
can I cook the ground beef before I put it in the slow cooker
ALISON NICOLE NICKEL says
Is there a way to make this in an 8 Qt instant pot? I always double the sauce ingredients.
Karen says
Try this recipe! https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/instant-pot-cheater-korean-beef-brown-rice/
Jamie says
I’m so excited to try this! What adjustments should I make if I wanted to use frozen ground beef?
Karen says
I would cook for 6-8 hours instead and open it up halfway through and break up the beef
AKJess says
My husband and love this! I do a couple things different because of our personal taste. I hate to one of those people but I double the sauce except for the sugar and add red pepper flakes. We aren’t into sweet but like the heat (no Kidd’s). It’s amazing and easy!!! I have made this a few times…
Karen says
Glad you like it!
Catherine Kellendonk says
Have you tried putting any vegetables in this recipe?
Karen says
no but I bet that would be tasty!
Jenette says
We ate this last night! Delicious! My picky hubby said this can go into our normal rotation. I never knew raw ground beef could go in the crockpot. Thnaks for this awesome recipe!
Karen says
My husband loves this one too. Thanks for the reminder! I think I’ll put it on this week’s menu 🙂
Erin Nunley says
This recipe was so easy and great. My husband loved the change (we usually do Italian). Have you ever made a larger portion of this for a big crowd? I was thinking of making about 5lbs. of beef worth in the slow cooker and just multiplying everything by 5. I had plenty of extra room in the cooker, but I don't want to compromise anything. Also, what sides other than rice do you recommend?
Sara Basya Dougherty says
If you don't use lean ground beef what can you do so it is not swimming in grease? Also if you double the recipe do you need to double the cooking time? Thank you
[email protected] says
Hey Sara,
I'm not sure about the grease part. You'll probably just have to drain off the grease at the end. And no, don't double the cooking time. It should be about the same 🙂 Good luck!
shannontravis says
We eat this usually every month, it is delicious! I am half Korean and my mom (full Korean) says it's very similar to her sauce for Korean kalbi ribs. I can't cook this on low though, it doesn't cook through? I have to cook it on high for 4 hours.
[email protected] says
Wow! That makes me so happy to hear. I'm not sure why it doesn't cook well on low. Maybe it's your particular slow cooker. All slow cookers cook differently so you just have to get to know your own slow cooker. Thanks for commenting!
Anna Bowler says
Do you think I ciuld use white riceninsteadnof brown? Family not a fan of brown rice! Thank you!
Karen says
yes for sure you could use white rice.
let's cook says
Recently discovered this site. This is so good and easy to make. It's a keeper!!! Made udon noodles with steam broccoli and mixed all together topped with green onions and cilantro. Will be trying a lot of your recipes soon
Anonymous says
This recipe is fantastic – so easy, so delicious….thank you! I just finished marinating Korean seasoned cucumbers to enjoy with this beef, rice and will finished with a fried egg on top – home made bi bim bap! I can't wait for dinner tomorrow night. Thank you again 🙂
Anonymous says
At some point in the cooking process, could you add broccoli florets? And if so, when? (I don't crockpot a lot and I am not sure how long the broccoli would need.)
[email protected] says
Hmmm, I bet you could. Try adding it an hour before ready to serve. Let me know how it goes!
Nicole says
The Korean beef was one of the easiest recipes I've made and so delicious! My husband loved it too. The sauce had a unique amazing flavor. Will definitely make again.
[email protected] says
Jim,
That comment is definitely going in my "favorite comments of all time" file! THANKS!!!!
Karen
Jim says
This has to be the best food blog on the net. I love my slow cooker foods but even recipe sites just recycle the same ideas. You have some very incredible new additions! Thanks so much. I will be back, frequently!
[email protected] says
Deon, I know. It's soooo easy!
[email protected] says
Cherri,
My husband keeps looking at this picture and telling me how good it was! Hope you have similar results 🙂
Karen
Cherri says
What a great recipe!! My mouth is already full of water, Can't wait to try.
Deon says
I was so pleasantly surprised to read that your ground beef went into your slow cooker raw, raw, raw! To that, I say, rah, rah, rah! Haha! I am so trying this recipe! Thanks tons!
Deon @iPinnedIt.com
Kalyn Denny says
Love the sound of this!