Quick and Easy Instant Pot Korean Beef

If you’re looking to add an exciting, flavorful dish to your weeknight dinner rotation, Instant Pot Korean Beef is the perfect choice. This recipe takes the beloved flavors of Korean cuisine and combines them with the convenience of your Instant Pot, resulting in a meal that’s both quick and deeply satisfying. The rich, savory sauce made from soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger perfectly complements the tender beef, while the rice cooks simultaneously, making this a one-pot meal.

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe is approachable, flavorful, and customizable to your liking. With the added option of using ground beef or turkey, you can easily adapt this recipe to suit your tastes and dietary needs. Plus, you can turn this dish into a variety of meals, including tacos, rice bowls, or lettuce wraps, offering endless possibilities for how to enjoy it.

Why You Should Try Instant Pot Korean Beef

This recipe is perfect for anyone looking for a quick and easy meal with a rich, complex flavor profile. The use of an Instant Pot means less time cooking, and it’s also a fantastic way to cook rice perfectly along with your beef, reducing the number of pots you need. Not to mention, it’s an incredibly versatile dish. You can enjoy it as a hearty meal on its own, use it for tacos, or even wrap it in lettuce for a low-carb option.

Here’s why you should consider making this Instant Pot Korean Beef:

• Quick and Convenient: The Instant Pot allows you to cook the beef and rice simultaneously, making this a one-pot meal.
• Flavorful: The combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil gives the beef a sweet and savory flavor, while the ginger adds a warm, spicy kick.
• Versatile: You can serve it in a variety of ways, whether in tacos, rice bowls, or lettuce wraps, to suit your mood or dietary preferences.
• Healthy: By using lean ground beef or turkey and controlling the ingredients, you can make this dish as healthy as you like.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Korean Beef

Before we dive into the instructions, let’s gather the ingredients. The Instant Pot Korean Beef recipe requires simple ingredients, many of which you might already have in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need:

Main Ingredients:

• Ground Beef or Ground Turkey: 1½ lbs of 90% lean ground beef (or turkey) provides the base of this dish.
• Vegetable Oil: Used to sauté the beef in the Instant Pot.
• Garlic: 7 cloves of fresh garlic, or 1 tablespoon of pressed garlic.
• Soy Sauce: ⅓ cup of low-sodium soy sauce gives the beef its salty, savory flavor.
• Water: ½ cup of water helps to balance out the sauce’s thickness.
• Brown Sugar: 3 tablespoons of brown sugar adds a rich sweetness to the sauce, creating a perfect balance with the savory elements.
• Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon of sesame oil gives the dish its nutty flavor.
• Ginger: Fresh ginger (1 tablespoon grated) or 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger, for a zesty spice.
• Asian Pear (Optional): ½ of an Asian pear, grated, adds sweetness and authenticity to the flavor. It’s optional, but it gives the dish a distinct, traditional taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: ¾ teaspoon for a touch of spice (adjust for your preferred heat level).
• White Pepper: ½ teaspoon of white pepper adds a subtle warmth and depth to the dish.

For the Rice:

• Jasmine Rice: 1½ cups of jasmine rice, well rinsed, works best for this quick-cooking recipe.
• Water: 1½ cups of water is added to the rice to help it cook perfectly.
• Butter: 2 tablespoons of butter adds richness and flavor to the rice.

To Serve:

• Tortillas: For making tacos.
• Lettuce Leaves: For low-carb lettuce wraps.

Garnishes:

• Green Onions: 2 green onions, sliced thinly, for a fresh, crunchy topping.
• Sesame Seeds: For a nutty, decorative garnish.

How to Make Instant Pot Korean Beef

Now that you have everything ready, let’s walk through the process step by step. The Instant Pot Korean Beef recipe is quick, and the Instant Pot makes it even easier. Here’s how you do it:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients:
   Start by gathering all your ingredients and measuring them out. This step will make the cooking process smoother and faster. Also, prepare the rice in a separate pan and set it aside.
2. Sauté the Beef:
   Turn on the Sauté setting on your Instant Pot and add the vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef (or turkey). Cook the beef until it’s browned and no longer pink. If you’re using lean ground beef, you may not need to drain any fat. However, if there’s excess fat, be sure to drain it off.
3. Add the Sauce Ingredients:
   To the browned beef, add the garlic, soy sauce, water, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, Asian pear (optional), red pepper flakes, and white pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to avoid the Burn error.
4. Cancel the Sauté Setting:
   Once the ingredients are mixed and well combined, cancel the sauté setting to prepare for the next step.
5. Set Up the Trivet for the Rice:
   Place the trivet in the Instant Pot over the beef. This will hold the rice pan above the beef and allow it to cook simultaneously.
6. Prepare the Rice:
   In a separate pan, add the Jasmine rice, water, and butter. Place this pan on top of the trivet inside the Instant Pot.
7. Cook on High Pressure:
   Close the lid of the Instant Pot, ensuring the valve is set to the Sealing position. Press the Pressure Cook or Manual button and set the time to 4 minutes on high pressure.
8. Natural Pressure Release:
   After the cook cycle finishes, let the Instant Pot sit undisturbed for 10 minutes for a natural release. After 10 minutes, turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to release any remaining pressure.
9. Remove the Rice:
   Once the pin in the lid drops, open the Instant Pot and carefully remove the pan of rice using silicone mitts or a pan gripper. Fluff the rice with a fork to prevent it from becoming too sticky.
10. Stir the Beef:
    Remove the trivet and stir the beef mixture. It should be well-cooked and perfectly sauced.
11. Serve:
    You can serve the beef mixture over the fluffy rice or use it to fill taco shells or lettuce wraps. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for extra flavor and presentation.

Variations and Customization Ideas for Instant Pot Korean Beef

The beauty of Instant Pot Korean Beef lies in its versatility. This dish can easily be adjusted to suit your tastes, dietary needs, or the ingredients you have on hand. Let’s explore a few variations and customization ideas to elevate your Korean beef meal and add some new twists to the original recipe.

1. Different Meat Options

While the recipe calls for ground beef or ground turkey, you can experiment with other meats to create a different texture or flavor profile:

• Ground Chicken: A lighter option that’s lean and still delicious when cooked in the savory sauce.
• Beef Flank or Skirt Steak: For a more traditional Korean BBQ experience, you can use thinly sliced beef. Simply marinate the steak in the sauce and then sauté it before adding the rice.
• Pork: Ground pork or thinly sliced pork shoulder can also be used, adding richness to the dish.

2. Low-Carb Option: Lettuce Wraps

For a healthier, low-carb alternative to rice or tacos, serve your Instant Pot Korean Beef in lettuce wraps. The cool crunch of the lettuce pairs beautifully with the warm, savory beef. Here are a few tips for making lettuce wraps:

• Use large butter lettuce or romaine leaves for the wraps. These leaves are sturdy and will hold up well when filled with beef.
• For extra flavor and crunch, top the wraps with sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, or bean sprouts.
• Add a drizzle of Gochujang (Korean chili paste) for an extra kick if you like a little spice.

3. Korean Beef Rice Bowl

Turn your Instant Pot Korean Beef into a delicious rice bowl by adding some colorful vegetables and toppings. Here’s how:

• Vegetables: Add fresh or pickled radishes, carrots, cucumbers, or edamame for a crunchy, refreshing contrast to the rich beef.
• Soft-Fried Egg: Top the rice bowl with a soft-fried egg. The creamy yolk will mix beautifully with the sauce, creating a luscious texture.
• Kimchi: Add a side of kimchi for an authentic Korean touch. The tangy, fermented flavors will complement the richness of the beef.
• Sesame Oil Drizzle: Finish off the rice bowl with a light drizzle of sesame oil for an extra layer of flavor.

4. Spicy Korean Beef

If you love heat, this recipe can easily be turned into a spicy Korean beef dish. Here’s how:

• Increase the amount of red pepper flakes in the sauce to 1 teaspoon or more for extra spice.
• Add a spoonful of Gochujang (Korean chili paste) or Sriracha to the sauce for a more complex heat.
• For a spicier garnish, sprinkle chili flakes or drizzle chili oil on top of the finished dish.

5. Vegan Version

For a vegan version of this recipe, you can replace the ground beef with plant-based meat options. Here’s how to make it vegan-friendly:

• Use lentils or tofu as a substitute for ground beef. Cook the tofu until crispy and toss it with the sauce.
• For a meatier texture, consider using Beyond Meat or Impossible Meat, which have a similar consistency to ground beef.
• Replace the fish sauce with a vegan-friendly soy sauce or tamari, and ensure that the other ingredients (like the sesame oil) are plant-based.

6. Gluten-Free Option

If you need a gluten-free meal, there are simple swaps to make this recipe compliant:

• Use tamari instead of soy sauce, which is naturally gluten-free.
• Ensure the rice and tortillas used for serving are labeled gluten-free. You can also use gluten-free wraps or lettuce leaves for a low-carb, gluten-free option.

Tips for Perfecting Instant Pot Korean Beef

While this recipe is relatively straightforward, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you achieve the best results every time:

• Avoid the Burn Error: When sautéing the beef, be sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot. This will prevent the burn error, which occurs when food gets stuck to the bottom of the pot and interferes with pressure cooking.
• Cooking Time for Rice: If you prefer a firmer texture for your rice, you can reduce the cooking time to 3 minutes on high pressure. If you like your rice a little softer, stick to 4 minutes.
• Natural Pressure Release: Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes before turning the valve to vent. This ensures the beef stays tender and juicy.
• Stirring: After the beef is done cooking, give it a good stir to make sure all the flavors are evenly distributed before serving.
  

Serving Suggestions

• Korean Beef Tacos: Serve the beef in soft flour tortillas, add some rice, and top with cilantro, sour cream, and a dollop of Gochujang for a deliciously spicy taco.
• Rice Bowls: Serve over a bed of rice with pickled vegetables, a fried egg, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
• Lettuce Wraps: Make the dish low-carb by wrapping the flavorful beef in lettuce leaves and serving with your favorite veggies.
• Korean BBQ Feast: Serve this dish as part of a larger Korean BBQ meal with Kimchi, Grilled Vegetables, and Jajangmyeon (Korean black bean noodles) for a full meal experience.

Instant Pot Korean Beef Recipe Card

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs Ground Beef (or Ground Turkey)
• 2 teaspoons Vegetable Oil
• 7 cloves Garlic (or 1 Tbsp pressed garlic)
• ⅓ cup Soy Sauce (low-sodium)
• ½ cup Water
• 3 tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Ginger (grated, or 1 tsp powdered ginger)
• ½ Asian Pear (grated, optional)
• ¾ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (adjust for spice)
• ½ teaspoon White Pepper (or black)

For the Rice:

• 1½ cups Jasmine Rice (well rinsed)
• 1½ cups Water
• 2 tablespoons Butter

To Serve:

• Tortillas (for tacos)
• Lettuce Leaves (for wraps)

Garnishes:

• 2 Green Onions (sliced)
• Sesame Seeds

Instructions:

1. Prepare all your ingredients and measure them out for easy use.
2. Set your Instant Pot to Sauté and heat the vegetable oil. Add ground beef (or turkey) and cook until browned.
3. Add garlic, soy sauce, water, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, Asian pear (optional), red pepper flakes, and white pepper. Stir well and scrape the bottom of the pot to avoid the Burn error.
4. Cancel the Sauté setting on your Instant Pot.
5. Place the trivet inside the pot over the beef mixture.
6. In a separate pan, combine the rice, water, and butter, and place the pan on top of the trivet.
7. Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to Sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
8. After cooking, allow for a 10-minute Natural Release. Then release any remaining pressure.
9. Carefully remove the pan of rice and fluff with a fork. Stir the beef mixture.
10. Serve the beef over rice, in tortillas for tacos, or in lettuce wraps. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes:

• For a spicier version, increase the red pepper flakes or add Gochujang (Korean chili paste).
• Use ground turkey for a leaner option.
• Asian pear adds authentic flavor, but you can omit it if unavailable.
• For low-carb or gluten-free options, serve in lettuce wraps or use tamari for soy sauce.

Nutritional Facts (per serving):

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 11 minutes
Total Time: 41 minutes
Method: Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)
Cuisine: Korean