Description

Korean Beef Sloppy Joes take the classic American sandwich and infuse it with the bold, sweet, and spicy flavors of Korean cuisine. Ground beef is cooked with gochujang, soy sauce, garlic, and brown sugar to create a rich and savory filling, then served on soft buns for a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. This easy, 30-minute meal is a crowd-pleaser and a great way to introduce Korean flavors into your weeknight dinner rotation.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Mixture

1 ½ lbs lean ground beef (85/15 preferred)
3 tablespoons gochujang (adjust for heat preference)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon grated ginger
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt

Sauce

⅓ cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon honey (optional, for extra sweetness)

Serving

4–6 brioche or potato buns, lightly toasted
2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

Cook the Beef
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sesame oil.
- Brown the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks (about 3-4 minutes).
- Drain excess fat if necessary.
Flavor the Meat
- Add minced garlic and ginger, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Mix in gochujang, soy sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring well.
Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and honey.
- Pour into the skillet, stirring to coat the beef.
- Let simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
Assemble the Sloppy Joes
- Spoon the beef mixture onto toasted buns.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Serve & Enjoy
- Pair with kimchi, cucumber salad, or pickled vegetables for a complete meal!

Notes

Heat Level: Reduce gochujang for a milder flavor, or add sriracha for extra spice.
Make-Ahead: The beef mixture can be made 2 days ahead and stored in the fridge.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Korean-American Fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Calories: 320
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 21g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: Korean Sloppy Joes, Korean Beef Sandwich, Gochujang Sloppy Joes, Spicy Sloppy Joes, Asian Fusion Recipes, Easy Weeknight Dinners