Spicy Keto Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad

If you’re craving a delicious, healthy meal that’s packed with flavor but low in carbs, Spicy Keto Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad is the perfect dish for you. Combining the bold, spicy flavors of Korean cuisine with the freshness of cucumber salad, this recipe gives you all the taste without the carbs. It’s a quick and easy dish, making it ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner or meal prep for the week ahead.

This dish features ground beef, cooked with a spicy Korean-inspired sauce, and is paired with a refreshing cucumber salad that balances the heat and adds a crunchy texture. Plus, it’s keto-friendly, so it fits perfectly into your low-carb lifestyle. If you’re looking for a flavorful dinner option that’s both healthy and simple to make, look no further than this recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Spicy Keto Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad

Quick and Easy: This dish comes together in less than 30 minutes—perfect for a weeknight dinner when you’re short on time but still want something flavorful and satisfying.
Keto-Friendly: With the right ingredients, you can enjoy all the flavors of Korean cuisine without worrying about carbs. The ground beef is paired with low-carb cucumber salad to create a balanced, keto-friendly meal.
Packed with Flavor: The spicy Korean sauce, with ingredients like ginger, garlic, and chili paste, gives this dish its signature taste. The addition of cucumber salad balances out the heat with freshness and crunch.
Customizable: You can easily adjust the spice level or the vegetables based on your preferences. Feel free to swap the beef for ground turkey or chicken, and add other veggies to the salad if you wish.

Ingredients for Spicy Keto Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad

To make this tasty meal, you’ll need a few key ingredients that provide both flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Ground Beef:

Ground Beef: Use lean 90/10 ground beef or 93/7 to keep the dish light but flavorful. You can also substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives a rich, aromatic base to the sauce. If you’re short on time, frozen garlic cubes can also be a great option.
Ginger: Fresh ginger or ginger paste provides the signature zing in the sauce. It helps to balance the richness of the beef.
Chili Paste: For the spicy kick! You can use Korean chili paste (gochujang) for an authentic flavor or substitute with sriracha for a milder version.
Soy Sauce: Adds a savory umami flavor to the dish. Opt for low-sodium soy sauce if you want to keep the sodium content in check.
Sesame Oil: Use light sesame oil to bring a subtle nutty flavor to the beef. You can also use dark sesame oil for a deeper, roasted taste.
Brown Sugar: A small amount of brown sugar helps to balance the spice, but you can substitute with a keto-friendly sweetener like erythritol or stevia to keep the dish low-carb.
Green Onion: For garnish, green onions add freshness and color.

For the Cucumber Salad:

Cucumbers: Thinly sliced English cucumber provides a cool, crunchy contrast to the spicy beef.
Rice Vinegar: Adds a tangy kick to the salad. Apple cider vinegar can also be used for a slightly milder flavor.
Sesame Seeds: Toasted sesame seeds add crunch and a rich, nutty flavor that complements the cucumbers.
Chili Flakes: Add a pinch of chili flakes for a hint of heat in the salad. Adjust to your taste if you prefer more or less spice.
Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a herby note to the salad, enhancing its freshness and flavor.

How to Make Spicy Keto Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad

This recipe comes together in just a few simple steps. Here’s how to make it:

Step 1: Prepare the Cucumber Salad

Slice the cucumber into thin rounds or half-moons. Place the slices in a bowl.
Add rice vinegar, a pinch of sesame seeds, and a small sprinkle of chili flakes to the cucumbers. Toss to combine, and let the salad sit in the fridge while you cook the ground beef. This allows the flavors to meld together.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and ginger to the skillet, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, chili paste, and brown sugar (or your low-carb sweetener). Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the beef evenly.
Taste the beef mixture and adjust the seasoning with more soy sauce or chili paste if you prefer more heat.

Step 3: Serve and Garnish

Spoon the spicy Korean ground beef onto plates or bowls.
Serve with the prepared cucumber salad on the side, garnishing the beef with green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Spicy Keto Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad

Tips for the Perfect Spicy Keto Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad

To ensure that your Spicy Keto Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad comes out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:

1. Adjust the Spice Level

The Korean chili paste (gochujang) adds a unique heat to this dish. If you prefer a milder version, you can reduce the amount of chili paste or substitute it with sriracha or chili garlic sauce. For extra heat, add some red pepper flakes to the ground beef or cucumber salad to spice things up to your liking.

2. Choose the Right Ground Meat

While ground beef is the traditional choice, you can easily swap it out for ground turkey, chicken, or pork. For a leaner option, ground turkey works well and still offers a delicious texture. If using a leaner cut, such as turkey, consider adding a small amount of oil to prevent the dish from becoming too dry.

3. Fresh Ginger vs. Ginger Paste

For the most vibrant and fresh flavor, using fresh ginger is highly recommended. However, if you’re short on time, ginger paste is a great substitute. Keep in mind that ginger paste may have a slightly milder flavor, so adjust the quantity accordingly.

4. Make It Sweeter (or Not)

If you prefer a sweeter dish, feel free to add a bit more brown sugar or a low-carb sweetener like stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit. These can replace traditional brown sugar while keeping the dish keto-friendly. On the other hand, if you want to reduce the sweetness, simply cut back on the amount of sugar or sweetener.

5. Make the Cucumber Salad Ahead of Time

For best results, make the cucumber salad ahead of time. The vinegar helps to pickle the cucumbers, which makes them extra crisp and flavorful. Let the salad sit for at least 15 minutes before serving, but you can prepare it hours in advance and store it in the fridge.

6. Use Different Vegetables

Feel free to add other vegetables to the ground beef mixture to suit your preferences. You can add zucchini, carrots, or even spinach for a boost of nutrients. Just make sure to chop them finely so they cook through in the same amount of time.

Spicy Keto Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad

Meal Prep and Storage Tips

This Spicy Keto Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad is a great meal prep option. Here’s how you can store and reheat the dish:

Storing the Ground Beef and Cucumber Salad:

In the Fridge: The ground beef will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cucumber salad will also last for about 3 days. However, the salad may become softer over time, so it’s best eaten fresh.
In the Freezer: You can freeze the ground beef mixture for up to 3 months. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. The cucumber salad is not ideal for freezing, so it’s best to prepare it fresh each time.

Reheating:

To reheat the ground beef, simply heat it in a skillet over low to medium heat until warmed through. You can add a splash of water or soy sauce to keep the beef moist during reheating. Be sure to refresh the cucumber salad with a little extra rice vinegar before serving, especially if the flavors have mellowed.

Nutritional Benefits

This dish is loaded with essential nutrients, and with a few small changes, it’s an excellent choice for those following a low-carb or keto diet. Here’s a breakdown of the health benefits:

High Protein: With 33g of protein per serving, this dish supports muscle repair and growth, making it a great choice for active individuals or those looking to build lean muscle.
Healthy Fats: Sesame oil provides a healthy dose of unsaturated fats, which are good for heart health.
Low in Carbs: The combination of ground beef, vegetables, and keto-friendly seasonings ensures this dish is low in carbs, especially when served over cauliflower rice or a low-carb alternative.
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: The cucumber salad is rich in vitamin K, vitamin C, and potassium, all of which are important for maintaining strong bones, boosting immune health, and maintaining fluid balance.

Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is incredibly flexible and can be customized to your tastes or dietary needs. Here are some variations you can try:

1. Spicy Keto Korean Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

If you want to reduce carbs even further, try using large lettuce leaves as wraps for the ground beef mixture. These keto-friendly wraps are light and refreshing, providing a great alternative to traditional bread or rice.

2. Keto Korean Beef with Zoodles

Instead of serving the dish with cauliflower rice, you can try zucchini noodles (zoodles) for an extra-vegetable-based, low-carb alternative. The zoodles add a fresh crunch and pair perfectly with the beef and cucumber salad.

3. Add Extra Heat

If you like your dishes extra spicy, you can increase the amount of chili garlic sauce or add red pepper flakes to the ground beef. You can also stir in some chili paste or even jalapeños for an additional layer of heat.

Spicy Keto Korean Ground Beef with Cucumber Salad