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
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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I made this today for dinner with Impossible “beef” and at the end, I added some steam-in-a-bag broccoli that I chopped up small. It was delicious, and even my middle schooler who says he dislikes broccoli admitted later that he liked the meal a lot. It was a lot better than I had thought it would be and I ended up eating two bowls. Very good! I’ll make it again soon.
I’m so glad it turned out so good for you, and I love the addition of broccoli. Total win when kids end up liking it too!
I tried this on a whim after finding your recipe a couple of year & have kept it in our “go to” recipes ever since. Even my pickiest of eaters love this! I made a batch of this up for my son & his wife after they had their baby & now it’s one of their “go to” recipes also! Even funnier… my middle schooler took some of the leftovers to school for lunch & some of his friends tried it, now they beg him all the time to have me make it, so he can bring it for them. On a side note, I too double the sauce & sometimes I cook it on the stove. Always turns out great though!! THANK YOU!!!
I love everything about this. thank you! From feeding your family to taking meals to your son and now even your middle schooler’s friends asking for it… that’s amazing 😊 And great tip about doubling the sauce!
This is our favorite, most requested recipe! I make dinner for 60 high schoolers frequently, and this is hands down their favorite! Also a family favorite! My college kid makes this for his friends. It’s SO crazy easy and delicious! I must have missed writing down the tomato paste- we’ve never used it, and have never missed it. I serve it with green onions and sesame seeds, over baked rice. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
This was a fun comment to read! So glad you’ve all loved it 🙂
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.
Thanks for the nice review!
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.
Wow thanks Marla! That is so great to hear!
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.
yum! love that idea 🙂
This turned out delicious!
Awesome! Thanks for the 5 stars Heather.
can I c brown the ground beef before I put it in the slow cooker
sure!
Delicious!
Thanks! I am glad you liked it!
can I cook the ground beef before I put it in the slow cooker
Is there a way to make this in an 8 Qt instant pot? I always double the sauce ingredients.
Try this recipe! https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/instant-pot-cheater-korean-beef-brown-rice/
I’m so excited to try this! What adjustments should I make if I wanted to use frozen ground beef?
I would cook for 6-8 hours instead and open it up halfway through and break up the beef
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…
Glad you like it!
Have you tried putting any vegetables in this recipe?
no but I bet that would be tasty!
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!
My husband loves this one too. Thanks for the reminder! I think I’ll put it on this week’s menu 🙂
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?
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
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!
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.
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!
Do you think I ciuld use white riceninsteadnof brown? Family not a fan of brown rice! Thank you!
yes for sure you could use white rice.
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
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 🙂
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.)
Hmmm, I bet you could. Try adding it an hour before ready to serve. Let me know how it goes!
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.
Jim,
That comment is definitely going in my "favorite comments of all time" file! THANKS!!!!
Karen
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!
Deon, I know. It's soooo easy!
Cherri,
My husband keeps looking at this picture and telling me how good it was! Hope you have similar results 🙂
Karen
What a great recipe!! My mouth is already full of water, Can't wait to try.
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
Love the sound of this!