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Korean Beef Tacos

Sweet and Spicy Korean Beef Tacos for a Fun Taco Night

Enjoy delicious Korean Beef Tacos that transform ordinary taco night into a flavor-packed culinary experience.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 tacos
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Korean, Mexican
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Beef
  • 1 pound Ground Beef Substitute with ground pork or turkey if desired.
  • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar Can be replaced with white sugar.
  • 1/4 cup Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce Regular soy sauce can be used, adjust salt levels.
  • 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil For a lighter option, substitute with vegetable oil.
  • 1 teaspoon Crushed Red-Pepper Flakes Adjust based on spice preference.
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger Fresh ginger works well if preferred.
  • 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil Any neutral oil will suffice.
  • 2 cloves Garlic (Minced) Fresh garlic is preferable.
For the Kimchi
  • 1 cup Kimchi (Chopped) Store-bought or homemade works great.
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar Optional based on kimchi's sweetness.
For the Sriracha Mayo
  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise A vegan mayo option can be used.
  • 2 tablespoons Sriracha Adjust based on heat tolerance.
  • 1 tablespoon Lime Juice (Freshly Squeezed) Bottled lime juice is a substitute.
For Assembling Tacos
  • 8 mini Flour Tortillas Substitute with corn tortillas or larger for burritos.
  • 1/2 cup Red Onion (Diced) Green onions or shallots can be used.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro (Chopped) Omit or replace with parsley if not available.
  • 1 tablespoon Sesame Seeds Omit if preferred.

Equipment

  • medium bowl
  • large cast iron skillet
  • small bowl
  • whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Korean Beef Tacos
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, reduced sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, crushed red-pepper flakes, and ground ginger until well combined. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant, around 1 minute. Add ground beef, cooking until browned (3-5 minutes), crumbling as it cooks. Drain excess fat, then stir in the soy mixture, simmering for an additional 2 minutes.
  2. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of sesame oil over medium heat. Once hot, toss in the chopped kimchi along with a sprinkle of sugar for sweetness. Stir constantly for 3-5 minutes, until the kimchi caramelizes.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, Sriracha, and fresh lime juice. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
  4. Warm mini flour tortillas in a dry skillet over low heat for 1-2 minutes on each side. Layer the beef mixture, caramelized kimchi, diced red onions, fresh cilantro, and drizzle with Sriracha mayo before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tacoCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 15mg

Notes

Use the freshest ingredients for the best flavors and do not overcook the beef. Feel free to customize the ingredients based on preferences or pantry supplies.

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