Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil (15 ml)
  • 1 lb ground beef (450g), preferably lean
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (approx. 2 tsp minced garlic)
  • 1 inch ginger, minced (approx. 1 tbsp minced ginger)
  • ¼ cup soy sauce (60 ml), low sodium preferred
  • ¼ cup water (60 ml)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed (50g)
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch (16g)
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar (15 ml)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil (5 ml)
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add minced garlic and ginger to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, brown sugar, cornstarch, and rice vinegar.
  4. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the ground beef. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Stir in sesame oil and red pepper flakes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.