Delicious Stir-Fried Beef and Cucumber
Delicious Stir-Fried Beef and Cucumber
69 Recipe: Make a Delicious Side Dish with Stir-Fried Beef and Cucumber
Here’s a recipe for delicious stir-fried beef and cucumber using ingredients you likely have at home. While we used beef sirloin for bulgogi yesterday, today we’re using tender ground beef for a different texture. It’s a delightful stir-fry, distinct from the usual cucumber salad, featuring a wonderful harmony between the crisp cucumber and moist ground beef. It makes for a simple yet fantastic side dish to accompany your rice.
Main Ingredients- 2.5 Cucumbers
- 200g Ground Beef
- 1 Cheongyang Pepper (or other chili pepper)
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 2.5 cucumbers. Wash them thoroughly under running water, then chop them into bite-sized pieces, about 0.5cm thick half-moons. Removing the seedy core will make the dish cleaner.
Step 2
Add 0.5 Tbsp of salt to the chopped cucumbers and gently mix. Let them sit for about 30 minutes to draw out moisture. This step is crucial for achieving a crisp texture after stir-frying.
Step 3
Once the cucumbers have wilted, place them in a clean cloth or paper towels and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Removing excess water prevents the dish from becoming soggy and ensures a delightfully crisp texture.
Step 4
Finely chop 1 Cheongyang pepper and 1 red bell pepper. These will add a pleasant spiciness and vibrant color to the dish. It’s best to remove the seeds before chopping for a milder flavor.
Step 5
In a bowl, combine the 200g of ground beef with 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 2 Tbsp sesame oil, and a pinch of black pepper. Gently mix and let it marinate for about 10 minutes. Since the cucumbers are salted, we’ll keep the beef seasoning light and adjust later if needed.
Step 6
Heat a little cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated ground beef and stir-fry until it’s fully cooked through.
Step 7
Once the beef is cooked, add the squeezed cucumbers and the chopped chili peppers. Stir-fry quickly over high heat for about 2-3 minutes. You want to cook them just enough to heat through while retaining their crispness. Cucumbers can be enjoyed raw, so a brief sauté is perfect.
Step 8
Taste the dish and add another 1 Tbsp of soy sauce if needed to reach your desired saltiness. Adjust the amount of soy sauce based on the saltiness of the cucumbers after they were salted. Stir everything together well to ensure even distribution. Your delicious stir-fried beef and cucumber is ready to be served with warm rice!
