30 Minute Korean Beef + Toasted Sesame Rice
Because really, who has more than thirty minutes these days?

I like to think most people do. Because let’s be honest, not all my recipes that I post can be done in under thirty minutes and I really do make these recipes for you guys to recreate at home.
Yeah, that’s right. I make them so you can make them, so make them!

Especially make this one.
See, I know your whole family is going to love it. Ok, unless someone in your family does not eat meat. In that case this may not be your meal, but if your family (or just you!) does eat meat, than this is your dinner.
Like possibly even tonight’s dinner.

The number one reason I love this meal?
Because every single picky person in my family ate it. Granted, a few of them complained because it was not regular grilled steak, but they ate it. Halle stickin’ lujah!!
This meant only one meal was made and in under thirty minutes with minimal work.
This is what I like to call a SCORE!

What qualifies me to call this dish Korean? Well honestly, nothing.
I am not Korean and have never been anywhere near Korea, but I do know there are some simple staples in Korean food. Namely soy sauce, sesame seeds and rice. Therefore I went with Korean Beef, plus it just sounded good.
Oh and hey, those three Korean staples? Totally staples around here. Especially the rice, but I am sure you have noticed that by now.

So here’s how she goes.
Did I really just refer to this dish as a she? Yeah, I did. Time to get help!
Anyway, you start by making the rice and toasting up some sesame seeds (YUM). Then stir together the ingredients for the sauce and just throw it all in a pot, boil and done. Stir-fry the steak, stir-fry the veggies, mix it all together with the sauce and serve it over the toasted sesame rice.
DONE.
Oh and wait, one last thing. Creighton, my eldest brother who lives back in Cleveland. I have to give a public apology to him. I know he is just about dying right now that he did not get to eat this. So Creigh, I am so sorry and I am sorry in advance for tomorrow’s post too. Yeah, you’re gonna want that one too.
Trevor got your share instead. You know how that goes!


Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
30 Minute Korean Beef and Toasted Sesame Rice
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, korean
Keyword: beef, korean
A minimum work, maximum taste Asian inspired dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound flank steak
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch divided + 2 tablespoons water
- 4 tablespoons peanut oil
- 1 teaspoon ginger grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 3/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons hot chili sesame oil
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 red pepper sliced
- 1 orange pepper sliced
- 1 zucchini chopped
- 4 green onions chopped
Toasted Sesame rice
- 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
- 4 scallions or green onions sliced
Instructions
-
To make the rice. Heat the sesame seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, shaking the pan occasionally for about 5 minutes. Remove the seeds when they darken and become fragrant.
-
Add the water to a medium size pot. Bring to a low boil and then add the rice and sesame oil. Stir to combine and then place the lid on the pot and turn the heat down to the lowest setting possible. Allow the rice to cook ten minutes on low and then turn the heat off completely and let the rice sit on the stove, covered for another 20 minutes (don't take any peeks inside!). After 20 minutes remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork and stir in 1-2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds. Note that rice can cook differently for everyone, this is just what works for me.
-
While the rice cooks start the steak. Slice the flank steak against the grain into 1/4-inch pieces and add to a medium size bowl. To the bowl add the 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and toss well. Set aside.
-
Mix the remaining cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until there are no lumps. Heat 1 tablespoon of peanut oil in a small sauce pot over medium-low heat. Add the ginger and garlic and sauté about 1 minute. Add the soy sauce, water, hot chili oil, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper. Whisk to combine. Bring the sauce to a boil and whisk in the cornstarch mixture, boil for about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
-
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium high heat, add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once hot add the red pepper, orange pepper and zucchini. Stir fry for about 5 minutes or until the veggies are soft and tender, then remove from the pan and place on a plate. Return the skillet to medium high heat and add another tablespoon of oil. Grab the steak and add to the skillet, shaking off any extra cornstarch as you place it in the pan. Stir fry for about 2-3 minutes, until just barely cooked through. Now carefully pour the sauce into the skillet. Add the peppers back in and bring the sauce to a boil. Boil 3-4 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and is coating the steak and peppers (the sauce must come to a boil for it to thicken). Stir in the green onions and serve over the toasted sesame rice, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds if desired.

Quick AND delicious!
Ok, making this real soon! Looks absolutely delish and love that it’s a 30 minute meal!
Beautiful! Love all of those colorful veggies!!! And those three staples are the best! 🙂
Thanks Ali!! Our staples are simple, but they are good! 🙂
Looks great! And I can’t believe it’s done in 30 minutes!
Thanks so much, Eva!
Looks gorgeous and perfect for those busy nights!!
Thanks so much, Kelly!
The nights (ah and days!) are crazy these days!
Looks delicious and yes I could totally use a lot more 30 minute meals. Hope to try this soon!
Thanks Melanie! Hope you love this one!
Love a 30-minute meal and this looks delicious!
Thank you so much, Bridget! 🙂
1.) This looks amazing and my fiance will totally do back-flips for this – pinning!
2.) Kinda missing the extra long title today. Just sayin… 😉
Haha! I know, me too! This one was just short!
Thanks Christine!
Tieghan, you are speaking my language! I will eat Korean food any day of the week and I love that this bad boy is so quick to prepare. Total win.
Thank you so much, Amy!
Nice flavours here and I like how quick it is! I usually do the ‘long’ version where you have to wait for the meat to marinate and I like to replace the sugar with grated pear, apple or kiwi .
Oh I bet the real version is so flavorful and the pears, apple and kiwi sound incredible! I have to try that! Thanks Kevin!
Psst…my mom always said the enzymes from the fruit tenderizes the beef. And for vegetarians shiitake mushrooms are always a worthwhile replacement 😉
I think I can squeeze out 30 minutes to make this bad boy!! I am drooling!
Thanks Steph!
I could always use new dinner ideas! This one sounds great. Thanks Tieghan!! 🙂
Thanks Laura!
Let’s make this lovely gem in 30 minutes and then skip through the fields/mountains/creeks of Coloradoooooo! Ugh, come to Denver! 😉 This meal is gorgeous. As always. 🙂
Oh I want to!! Were are you staying and for how long?
I can’t believe how easy this looks. I must try it!
Thanks Nadia!
Who doesn’t love quick recipes that come out looking like this!
Thanks Meagan! Quick is always good!
This is a great combination of texture and flavor! Great looking dish, thank you for sharing with us!
Thank you so much, Dan!
I’m totally crushing on the 30 minute dish! Love these flavors!!
Thanks Lauren!!
I have negative time these days, so this is PERFECT!
I am right there with you! Thanks Claire!
Yes to 30 minute meals, this looks fab!
Thank you so much, Laura!
If only I could afford flank steak! This looks insanely good. Maybe someday I’ll make it! 🙂
Yes, hopefully soon!
Thanks Erica!
Oh YES! I love Asian dishes, but even better when they’re quick and easy. This looks incredible, Tieghan! Sllllurrrrppp!
Thanks Georgia!
Who needs take out with recipes like these?! Great job lady!
Thanks so much, Jackie!!
Oh and I hope the site is not giving you too many problems. I am hopefully starting the process to switch over to my own server soon. Let’s hope that solves some of the problems!
Wow! Tieghan, you are totally on a roll…now, with a 30-minute meal! That means we have more time to bake, right? Looks amazingly delicious, girl! Thanks for sharing!
Ah yes!! My thought exactly! Thanks Stacy!
djkaf;2o0ju-9…. oh sorry I was just wiping the drool from my keyboard.
Haha!! Thanks so much, Des!
Thirty minute meals are the best and I want this now!!
I agree! Quick and easy is always good! Thanks Julie!
Pretty sure I will have to squeeze this into the menu this week!!
Oh let me know what you think! I always get nervous that people are going to hate things! LOL!
Thanks Gaby!
I am all about the 30 minute meals – this looks phenomenal!
Thank you, Deborah! 30 minute meals are so great!
I love your spin on this! I could have it for dinner every single night!
Thanks so much, Chung-Ah!!
Damn I need to get the sesame seed! this looks too good to pass up as dinner tomorrow!
Thank you!
Wow this looks good! Will have to give it a try
accokbookcollection.wordpress.com
Thanks so much, Donna!
Tieghan,
I love this. Will make for dinner. BTW, what camera/lens are you using? Love your pics!!
Roxanne
Thanks Roxanne! I use a Cannon 60D with a 50 mm lens.
Thanks for the response. Are you using a 50mm macro lens? What f/stop are you using. I have a 50mm f/1.4.
Thanks,
Roxanne
http://www.theroxxbox.com
I grew up eating (and freaking LOVING) korean beef at my (korean) neighbor’s house. I’m so excited about this!
Haha! YES!! Thanks Katie!! Loved you hour a day post today. Those are so fun! Oh and it looks a lot warmer in Denver, we are dipping into the teens at night up here!
Noo!!! Trevor is always taking my piece of the pie! Free rent in Cleveland if I can be your test dummy.
This looks absolutely incredible!! Who would not eat this!
Thanks Monica!
I love how quickly this dinner comes together!! And boy, does it look fantastic!!
Thanks Jocelyn!
your photography is stunning! new fan!
Awe, thank you so much!! Happy to have you as a new reader, Kristina!
I sure am pinning this beauty! Yum!
Thanks so much for pinning, Pamela!
I just made it for Christmas Eve’s Dinner and served it in little baskets made from spring roll pastry and it was delicious. Everyone loved it, thank you for sharing.
Yay! So happy you and your family loved this! I love your idea for the baskets!
Teighan, I have 2lbs of flank…would I need to double the sauce or could I get by with the original amount? I’d hate to have to use that much soy and sugar…but whichever works! 🙂 Can’t wait for dinner tonight! 🙂
If it were me I would double the sauce, but my family really like a lot of sauce!
Hope you love this!
I made this for dinner tonight, and oh my ! It was a party in my mouth ! Super delicious !
So happy you loved this dinner! Thanks!
hmmm, I found that 4 Tablespoons of cornstarch resulted in a very undesirable consistency. The flavor was nice. I enjoyed the sesame rice.
Hmm, sorry it did not work out for you. What happened to the sauce?
I made this last night and it was soooo good! My husband loved it. Thank you 🙂
Im glad you guys liked it !!
Loved this, it was indeed really quick. The 3 tablespoons of cornstarch resulted in a really thick sauce, luckily a couple of tablespoons solved this rather quickly. The sauce however ended up pretty salty, any idea how i could adjust this? (the extra water didn’t do the trick)
Hi!! Did you use low sodium soy sauce? That is always key for me in recipes like this. so happy you loved the beef, thanks!
This takes at least 60 minutes, not the 30 minutes in the title.
Hi Figgy! Sorry this took longer than expected! Is there anything I could help you with to make it quicker next time?