Hey there, food lovers! If you’re looking for a dish that’s both sweet and savory, with a touch of spice, you’ve come to the right place. This Sticky Crispy Gochujang Beef is a game-changer! The crispy beef coated in a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce is nothing short of delicious. If you’ve never tried gochujang before, it’s a Korean red chili paste that adds a perfect balance of heat and umami to any dish. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be obsessed. I was too, and now it’s one of my favorite go-to ingredients for adding a bold kick to my meals. Let’s dive right into how to make this tasty dish!
Method
Coat the Beef
Start by preparing your beef. Thinly slice your chosen cut of beef (I recommend flank steak or sirloin for this recipe), then coat it in 25g of cornflour. The cornflour (cornstarch) is what will give your beef that crispy, crunchy texture. Make sure each slice is evenly coated to ensure every piece turns out perfectly crispy once cooked.
Air Fry the Beef
Once your beef is coated, it’s time to cook it. Place the beef into your air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure there’s enough space for air circulation. Set the air fryer to 200°C (around 400°F) and cook for 12 minutes. Halfway through, give the basket a little shake to ensure the beef crisps up evenly. The result will be golden-brown, crispy beef without the mess or excess oil of traditional frying.
Prepare the Sauce
While the beef is air frying, it’s time to make the flavorful sauce. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of gochujang paste, 20ml of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 40ml of water. Stir everything together until it’s smooth and well-mixed. This sauce will become the sweet, spicy coating that makes this dish irresistible.
Cook the Veggies
In a frying pan, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add your chopped shallot and red pepper. Let them cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften. Once softened, add the minced garlic and freshly grated ginger to the pan. Cook for another minute, letting the garlic and ginger infuse the oil with their delicious aroma. This step will bring out the depth of flavor needed to complement the crispy beef.
Add the Sauce
Now that your veggies are soft and fragrant, pour the prepared gochujang sauce into the pan. Stir the sauce into the cooked veggies and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook for 2-3 minutes, letting the sauce thicken slightly. This simmering time will help meld all the flavors together and create a rich, savory base.
Combine the Beef
Once the sauce has simmered, it’s time to add the crispy beef. Carefully add the beef from the air fryer into the pan with the sauce and vegetables. Gently toss everything together so that the beef is well-coated in the sticky, flavorful sauce. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring the beef is heated through and perfectly glazed with the sauce.
Serve
To finish, serve the sticky crispy gochujang beef with a side of steamed rice and crispy broccoli. The rice will soak up the delicious sauce, while the broccoli adds a healthy crunch to balance out the dish. For an extra touch of flavor, top with chopped spring onions, sesame seeds, and a sprinkle of chopped chillies if you prefer extra spice. Enjoy your homemade Korean-inspired meal!
Necessary Tools
- Air fryer (for the crispy beef)
- Frying pan
- Small bowl (for mixing sauce ingredients)
- Knife and chopping board
Sticky Crispy Gochujang Beef: A Flavor Explosion You Need to Try
Cuisine: KoreanDifficulty: Easy2
servings10
minutes20
minutes30
minutesIngredients
350g beef (any cut you prefer, but thinly sliced works best)
25g cornflour (for crispy beef)
1 shallot (finely chopped)
1 red pepper (sliced)
1 tsp garlic (minced)
1 tsp ginger (freshly grated)
For the sauce
1 tbsp gochujang paste
20ml soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp honey
40ml water
Toppings
Spring onion (chopped)
Sesame seeds
Chopped chillies (optional for extra spice!)
Directions
- Coat the Beef: Start by coating the thinly sliced beef in cornflour. This will give it that crispy, crunchy texture we’re going for.
- Air Fry: Pop the beef into the air fryer and cook it at 200°C for 12 minutes. It’s that easy to get crispy beef without all the oil!
- Prepare the Sauce: While the beef is crisping up, mix together the gochujang paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and water in a small bowl. Stir until combined and set aside.
- Cook the Veggies: Heat a little oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and red pepper, and cook until they soften (about 3-4 minutes). Then, add the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for another minute.
- Add the Sauce: Pour in the gochujang sauce and bring to a simmer.
- Combine the Beef: Add the crispy beef from the air fryer into the pan and toss everything together so the beef is well-coated in the sauce.
- Serve: Serve up the sticky crispy gochujang beef with some rice and broccoli for a well-rounded meal. Top with spring onions, sesame seeds, and chopped chillies if you like a little extra heat!
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the beef in the air fryer, as it can become too tough. Check it around 10 minutes to ensure it’s crispy but still tender.
- Adjust the spice: If you’re not a fan of spicy food, you can reduce the amount of gochujang paste and add a little more honey to balance out the heat.
- Stir-fry the vegetables just enough: Overcooking the shallots and red pepper can make them too soft. You want them to be tender but still have a little crunch.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is fantastic served with steamed rice and crispy broccoli. The rice soaks up the extra sauce, while the broccoli adds a crunchy, healthy element to the dish. For a more filling meal, you can add a side of kimchi or pickled vegetables for that extra Korean touch.
Fun Fact
Did you know that gochujang is made from fermented soybeans, rice, and red chili peppers? It’s not just spicy it’s also packed with umami flavors, making it a key ingredient in many Korean dishes.
Conclusion
This Sticky Crispy Gochujang Beef is the perfect combination of crispy, sweet, and spicy, and it’s super easy to make. Whether you’re new to gochujang or already a fan, this dish is bound to become a favorite in your recipe rotation. The bold flavors are sure to impress, and the crispy beef adds an irresistible texture. So, go ahead, give it a try, and let me know what you think!
