Hearty Beef & Gochujang Bibimbap
Master the Art of Homemade Soy-Braised Ground Beef & Gochujang Bibimbap for a Healthy Meal!
I decided to make a generous bibimbap using various types of namul (seasoned vegetables) and my homemade beef gochujang paste. It’s wonderfully savory and crunchy, truly embodying the comforting essence of home-cooked meals. Just a spoonful of this delicious beef gochujang mixed into your rice with whatever vegetables you have on hand creates an absolutely phenomenal bibimbap.
Beef Gochujang Ingredients
- 400g Ground Beef
- 1/2 Pear
- 18 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Ginger Syrup (Adds sweetness and aroma)
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (Rice wine)
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Basic Spinach Namul Ingredients
- 1 bunch Spinach
- 0.5 tsp Salt (for blanching spinach)
- 1.5 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 0.5 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Coarse Sea Salt (for blanching spinach)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (for seasoning namul)
- 1 bunch Spinach
- 0.5 tsp Salt (for blanching spinach)
- 1.5 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 0.5 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Coarse Sea Salt (for blanching spinach)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (for seasoning namul)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the pear, a key ingredient for our delicious beef gochujang. Peel and chop half a pear into manageable pieces, then blend it into a smooth puree using a blender. The pear’s natural sweetness and juice will tenderize the beef and enhance its flavor.
Step 2
It’s time for marinating! Place the 400g of ground beef in a bowl. Add the pureed pear, 2 tablespoons of minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of mirin, and a sprinkle of black pepper. Gently mix with your hands to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. This step removes any gamey smell from the beef and adds a depth of savory flavor.
Step 3
Now, let’s cook the marinated beef. Heat a pan over medium heat and add the marinated ground beef. Break up any clumps with chopsticks or a spatula as it cooks, ensuring it doesn’t stick together.
Step 4
Continue to cook the beef until it turns brown and is mostly cooked through. Cooking the beef until it’s nicely browned and crumbly will prevent the gochujang paste from becoming clumpy later on and result in a better taste.
Step 5
Now, let’s create the golden ratio for flavor! To the cooked beef, add 18 tablespoons of gochujang for a rich, spicy base, and 2 tablespoons of ginger syrup for a subtle sweetness and fragrant aroma.
Step 6
If you have minced green onions on hand, feel free to add about 1 tablespoon. The fresh, slightly pungent flavor of green onions will add another layer of deliciousness to the gochujang. (Optional ingredient)
Step 7
Gently stir and cook over medium-low heat until all ingredients are well combined. Be careful not to burn the gochujang. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy. This simmering process reduces moisture, creating a rich, paste-like consistency.
Step 8
Finally, drizzle in 2 tablespoons of sesame oil for a nutty fragrance and stir once more. Your delicious beef gochujang is ready! Let it cool slightly before transferring it to a jar; it will keep well and can be enjoyed anytime.
Step 9
Now, let’s prepare the spinach namul for our bibimbap. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt. Add the bunch of spinach and blanch for about 1 minute, just until it wilts. Immediately drain the spinach and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Squeeze out as much water as possible by hand; this is crucial to prevent the namul from tasting watery.
Step 10
To the squeezed spinach, add the seasonings. Mix in 0.5 teaspoon of salt, 1.5 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds, 0.5 teaspoon of minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Gently toss everything together until well combined. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Don’t be shy with the sesame seeds; they add a wonderful nutty flavor!
Step 11
Nicely arrange the seasoned spinach namul in a beautiful serving bowl. This will add vibrant color to your bibimbap.
Step 12
The homemade beef gochujang has a balanced savory flavor without being overly salty, making it an ideal condiment for bibimbap. Taste it and if you prefer it saltier, you can add a little more gochujang.
Step 13
Now, let’s assemble the bibimbap! Spread a generous portion of warm rice evenly in a large bowl. Then, artfully arrange the prepared spinach namul around the perimeter of the rice. The colorful arrangement will surely whet your appetite.
Step 14
Gently create a small indentation in the center of the rice by pushing some rice towards the edges. This will provide a stable base for the fried egg we’ll add next, making the presentation look neat.
Step 15
The grand finale! Fry one egg until the yolk is perfectly runny and place it gently on top of the rice. Breaking the yolk and mixing it with the rice and gochujang is pure bliss! Now, it’s time to enjoy your delicious Beef Gochujang Bibimbap!
