Description
These Korean Beef Sloppy Joes are a bold, flavorful twist on the classic American sandwich! With ground beef cooked in a sweet and savory Korean-inspired sauce, it’s a fun, comforting meal your whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sloppy Joes:
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste, optional for heat)
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 4–6 burger buns (or sandwich rolls)
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions (for garnish)
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef:
- In a large skillet or pan, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat.
- Add the Aromatics:
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- Stir in the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, gochujang (if using), ketchup, and grated ginger. Mix well and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
- Thicken the Sauce:
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water and stir it into the mixture. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Assemble the Sloppy Joes:
- Toast the burger buns or sandwich rolls in a toaster or on a skillet, if desired. Spoon the Korean beef mixture onto the bottom half of each bun.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the beef mixture for added flavor and texture. Top with the other half of the bun and serve immediately!
Notes
- You can adjust the heat level by adding more or less gochujang (Korean chili paste).
- For a lighter version, you can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
- Serve with a side of kimchi or pickled vegetables for an extra Korean flair!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich (with bun)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 60mg