Spicy Korean Gochujang Beef Noodles Recipe
A flavorful and spicy Korean-inspired dish featuring ground meat cooked with gochujang paste and served over tender rice noodles. This recipe balances the heat of chili paste with the sweetness of honey and the depth of toasted sesame oil, creating a perfect comfort meal packed with savory, sweet, and spicy notes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Meat and Noodles
- 1 pound ground beef, turkey, or chicken
- 12 ounces rice noodles or noodles of choice
Sauce and Seasonings
- ¼ cup low sodium gluten free soy sauce (tamari)
- ¼ cup gochujang paste (check ingredients for gluten!)
- 2 tablespoons coconut cream
- 2 teaspoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (more or less as desired for spice)
Instructions
- Prepare the Noodles: Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, turkey, or chicken. Break the meat apart with a spatula and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the low sodium gluten free soy sauce, gochujang paste, coconut cream, tomato paste, water, honey or brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Meat and Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked meat in the skillet. Stir well to coat the meat evenly. Let the mixture simmer for 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Toss with Noodles: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss thoroughly with the sauce and meat mixture, ensuring the noodles are well coated with the spicy gochujang sauce.
- Serve: Transfer the noodles to serving plates. Optionally garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for added texture and flavor. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef to reduce fat content.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Use gluten free soy sauce (tamari) to keep the dish gluten free.
- For a creamier sauce, add an extra tablespoon of coconut cream.
- Fresh ginger adds brightness but can be substituted with ½ teaspoon ground ginger if needed.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a side salad for a complete meal.
