If you’re looking for an easy to make, freezer friendly recipe that will become one of your top recommendations, this Korean BBQ Beef is perfect. It’s ideal for new cooks, and I always keep it stocked in my freezer. This kid-friendly, delicious, and unique way to use ground beef results in juicy, full of flavor meat that you can enjoy anytime. It’s great for Korean beef bowls, burritos, tacos, or rice bowls.
Prep Freezer Friendly Korean Beef in Bulk for Quick Meals-The Answer
To make this simple meal, prep a large batch (I usually do 3 lbs at a time). It doesn’t take up much room in the freezer and has very little quality loss when reheated. The meat is inspired by bulgogi, with its umami-sweet flavors, though it’s not authentically Korean. This recipe is versatile and perfect for food-truck style mash-ups. You can prep in advance with easy ingredients, and have a meal ready in two seconds flat.
KEY TIPS – FREEZER FRIENDLY “KOREAN” BEEF
Make 2-3 lbs at a time, and get multiple pans going!
Step 1: Make 2-3 lbs at a time to maximize efficiency.
Step 2: Brown beef in multiple pans to avoid overcrowding.
Step 3: Split the meat between your largest skillets for jumbo batches.
Step 4: Simmer the meat in the sauce, then combine into one pan for even distribution.
Step 5: Purchase ground beef in 3 lb packages to save money, especially when bought at a discount.
Step 6: Use the recipe card’s 2x or 3x option to automatically update quantities for bulk preparation.
These steps ensure you have plenty of delicious freezer-friendly Korean beef ready to serve at any time. 🍽️
Think about portion sizes as you package the freezer meals
When preparing freezer-friendly Korean beef, it’s important to consider portion sizes. Decide how much meat you plan to defrost at one time. Will you defrost a whole batch to feed the family, or just 1 portion for yourself? Whatever the quantity, make sure it’s packaged in its own bag. This makes it super easy to defrost when needed, as it’s difficult to separate into smaller portions once frozen.
For my husband and me, we tend to eat large portions for dinner. A 3 lb batch typically makes 4 total meals for us. We usually prepare the 3 lb batch, eat one portion that night, and pack the other three for later. This method ensures convenient, ready-to-use portions for future meals.
Grab bags of microwave rice for an easy meal for 1
When preparing freezer-friendly Korean beef, having microwaveable single-serve bags of rice can make meal prep much simpler. If you’re picky about your rice, you’ll be pleased to know that these bags are surprisingly good. They are perfect if you need to defrost leftovers and prepare a meal for 1. Keeping instant rice on hand makes the process easier.
In my experience, when I lived alone, this was my go-to easy meal after a long day. The combination of pre-cooked beef and microwaveable rice means you can have a delicious meal ready in minutes without much effort.
Defrost portions in the fridge or in cool water
The safest way to defrost a portion of freezer-friendly Korean beef is to move it into the fridge a day ahead of time. This method ensures the meat stays out of the temperature “danger zone” for bacteria growth, which is between 40 °F – 140 °F. However, if you’re making a last minute decision and need to quickly defrost, you can submerge the container in cool water. Just make sure the water isn’t warm and pay attention so the meat doesn’t spend too long sitting out.
If you need to defrost meats (even cooked meats) quickly, you can also defrost the meat completely or just enough to get it out of the bag and broken into a few sections. It’ll finish defrosting as it’s heated in the pan, although this will take some extra time. This method often works well when the initial method doesn’t fit your meal planning needs.
Invest in some reusable freezer bags, or just use disposable zip bags
For freezer-friendly Korean beef, I highly recommend picking up reusable freezer bags
(“Reusable freezer bags are durable and eco-friendly, perfect for frequent meal preppers.”)
if you plan to make this often. They are durable and eco-friendly. Using disposable freezer zip bags is also a great option if you have them on hand. Even normal zip bags can work, though you might get a little freezer burn on the food, which isn’t a big deal. Both choices will help keep your meals fresh and ready to use.
Check out my guide on freezing fresh garlic to save some time in the kitchen.
For freezer-friendly Korean beef, consider the convenience of freezing your own minced garlic. It’s a great option if you want the flavor of fresh garlic without the hassle. Frozen garlic retains a flavor nearly as good as fresh, eliminating the sticky prep and clean-up associated with using fresh garlic. This tip can save you time while still enhancing your meals with robust garlic flavor.
DIETARY RESTRICTIONS – FREEZER FRIENDLY “KOREAN” BEEF
Make this dish Gluten-Free
You can easily make freezer-friendly Korean beef gluten-free by using tamari soy sauce
“Tamari soy sauce offers the same great taste without the gluten.”
. This style of soy sauce doesn’t contain gluten and will give you the same great taste. By swapping out regular soy sauce for tamari, you can enjoy this dish without worrying about gluten.
Make this dish Vegan
To make this freezer-friendly Korean beef vegan, simply use a meat substitute. I have tested this recipe with Impossible meat, and the result was delicious. This way, you can prepare a vegan version of this meal without compromising on taste.
A NOTE ON SERVING SIZES
Serving sizes can be personal, making it hard to select a serving size that suits everyone. While this dish is listed as 4 standard servings, some people might want more than one serving. In the photo, each bowl has about 1.5 servings plated.
INGREDIENTS
For this freezer-friendly Korean beef recipe:
- Step 1: Start with 1 lb ground beef. I prefer the 80/20 blend for the right balance of flavor and fat.
- Step 2: Add ¼ cup light brown sugar
- (“Light brown sugar adds the perfect sweet touch to my Korean beef.”)
- and ¼ cup soy sauce
- “Soy sauce enhances the umami flavor beautifully in every dish.”
- to give it a sweet and savory taste.
- Step 3: Mix in 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil and 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic
- “Frozen minced garlic saves prep time and adds fresh flavor instantly.”
- for an extra depth of flavor.
- Step 4: Don’t forget 1 teaspoon freshly minced ginger, which you can substitute with ginger paste or ¼ teaspoon powdered ginger.
To enhance the taste:
- Step 5: Consider adding 1 teaspoon rice vinegar and a pinch of MSG
- (“Adding a pinch of MSG elevates the savory taste to a new level.”)
- Step 6: For a fresh touch, chop 3 green onions and slice the greens thin.
- Step 7: If you like a bit of heat, sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes as a topping.
- Step 8: Garnish with toasted sesame seeds.
- Step 9: For a healthy twist, serve the beef in butter lettuce or green leaf lettuce to make lettuce wraps.
This combination ensures a delicious and convenient meal every time.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1: Mix the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, garlic, and ginger in a bowl. Optionally, add a dash of MSG if desired.
- Step 2: Over medium heat, cook the beef until it is cooked through and no longer pink, then drain the excess fat.
- Step 3: Stir in the soy sauce mixture and let it simmer for at least 10 mins. The sauce should reduce and the beef will darken in color.
- Step 4: To finish, serve the beef over a bed of white rice and top with green onion, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds.
- Step 5: You can also use butter lettuce or something similar to make lettuce wraps for a fresh and healthy twist.
To Freeze
Allow the beef mixture to cool to room temp, then portion it out into freezer-safe containers or zip bags. Fill each container with the portion size you plan to reheat all at once, as you cannot easily divide it once frozen. Freeze for up to 3 months before using.
To Reheat from Frozen
To defrost the beef, move the container to the fridge 12-24 hours in advance, or quickly defrost the sealed container in cool water. The beef doesn’t need to be fully thawed; just enough to get it out of the container and broken up into a few chunks.
Warm the meat in a skillet over medium heat until it is fully defrosted and sizzling. Then, reduce the heat to low until you’re ready to serve. Serve the beef over a bed of white rice and top with green onion, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds. You can also use butter lettuce or something similar to make lettuce wraps.
NOTES
This recipe can easily be made in a 2X or 3X batch! For more info on making this recipe in bulk and freezing it for later, check out the key tips section of this post.
FAQs
Does Korean beef freeze well?
Yes, Korean beef can live in your freezer for up to 6 months! Just defrost it in the fridge for 8 hours or so before using. PRO TIP: Doubling the entire recipe is a great way to use up the whole jar of Bibigo. Just freeze what you’re not using.
Can I freeze Korean BBQ meat?
Yes, you can freeze Korean BBQ Beef. This meat is delicious, juicy, and full of flavor. It’s also easy to make and perfect to prep in advance. With easy ingredients, you can make this dish in two seconds flat. The only thing better than Korean BBQ Beef is having it ready in your freezer for a quick meal. Don’t forget to check out “HOW TO MAKE NIGIRI SUSHI” for another great recipe!
Does beef lose quality when frozen?
Freezing can improve meat tenderness, but it may negatively impact other quality attributes. The extent of these effects depends on the ice crystalline size and distribution, which are influenced by the freezing rate, storage temperature, and duration. While frozen, the beef might lose some texture or flavor, it still makes a convenient option for meal prep. For another delicious and easy recipe, try “GOCHUJANG BUTTERED NOODLES“.