Introduction

Remember those cozy nights when a fantastic appetizer could turn a regular evening into something truly special? That’s exactly what these Korean BBQ Beef Cubes with Spicy Soy Dipping Sauce will do for you! They’re little bites of pure joy, bursting with savory, sweet, and a hint of spicy flavor that will have everyone reaching for more. And the best part? They come together surprisingly fast, making them perfect for last-minute get-togethers or even just a fun weeknight treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, from marinating to serving, this is a speedy recipe that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Easy: No fancy techniques here! Just a few simple steps and you’ve got a restaurant-quality dish.
Giftable: Imagine a cute jar of the dipping sauce or a platter of these beauties as a thoughtful hostess gift!
Crowd-pleasing: From picky eaters to gourmet foodies, everyone adores these savory little gems. They’re perfect for game day, parties, or just because!

Ingredients

Let’s get our flavor-packed components ready! Don’t worry, it’s all super straightforward.

For the Korean BBQ Beef Cubes:

1 pound beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes: Sirloin is great because it’s tender and cooks up beautifully. You want those nice, bite-sized pieces!
2 tablespoons soy sauce: Our salty, umami base.
1 tablespoon sesame oil: This adds that unmistakable nutty, aromatic goodness that’s classic in Korean cooking.
2 tablespoons brown sugar: For a touch of sweetness to balance out the savory.
2 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic is key for that punchy flavor.
1 teaspoon ginger, minced: A little bit of zing to wake up your taste buds!
1 teaspoon black pepper: Just a touch to add warmth.
1 tablespoon green onions, chopped (for garnish): These add a fresh, bright pop of color and flavor.
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish): A little sprinkle for texture and visual appeal.

For the Spicy Soy Dipping Sauce:

3 tablespoons soy sauce: The foundation of our dipping sauce.
1 tablespoon rice vinegar: Adds a pleasant tanginess to cut through richness.
1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean red chili paste): This is where the magic happens for that delightful spicy kick! You can find this at most Asian grocery stores or even larger supermarkets.
1 teaspoon sesame oil: More of that wonderful nutty flavor!
1 teaspoon honey: A little sweetness to round out the spice.
1 clove garlic, minced: More fresh garlic goodness!
1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish): For a final touch on your dipping sauce.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the fun really begins.

Marinate the Beef: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, and black pepper. It should smell amazing already! Add your beef cubes and toss them around until every single piece is coated in that delicious marinade. Cover the bowl and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. If you have more time, you can let it go up to 2 hours for even deeper flavor – I often do this in the morning if I know we’ll be having these for dinner.
Whip Up the Dipping Sauce: While the beef is getting happy in the marinade, let’s make the dipping sauce. In a small bowl, simply whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, gochujang, sesame oil, honey, and minced garlic. Give it a good stir until everything is well combined and beautifully blended. Taste it and see if you want a little more spice or sweetness – you’re the chef!
Get Your Pan Ready: Now, let’s get to cooking! Preheat your grill or a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. A cast-iron skillet gives a fantastic sear, but any good frying pan will work wonders.
Cook the Beef: Take your marinated beef cubes out of the fridge. You can drain off any excess marinade that’s pooled at the bottom of the bowl. Now, carefully place the beef cubes onto your hot grill or into the hot skillet. You want to cook them for about 2-3 minutes per side. Keep an eye on them – you’re looking for a beautiful sear and your desired level of doneness. I usually aim for medium-rare to medium for the most tender results.
Serve it Up! Once your beef cubes are perfectly cooked, transfer them to a pretty serving platter. Sprinkle them generously with the chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Dip and Enjoy! Arrange your vibrant dipping sauce in a small bowl right next to the beef. Garnish the sauce with a few more sesame seeds. Serve everything immediately while it’s warm and glorious!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is wonderfully versatile! Here are some ideas to make it your own:

Beef Cut: If you can’t find sirloin, flank steak or even tenderloin would work, just adjust cooking time as needed.
Spice Level: For less heat, start with less gochujang in the sauce. For more, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade or the sauce.
Veggies: Feeling adventurous? You can thread some bell pepper chunks or onion wedges onto skewers with the beef for a complete appetizer.
Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet marinade, you can reduce the brown sugar slightly.
Citrus: A squeeze of lime juice in the dipping sauce adds an extra bright note!

Tips for Success

A few little pointers to make sure your Korean BBQ Beef Cubes are absolutely perfect:

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When cooking the beef, make sure you give the cubes enough space in the skillet or on the grill. Overcrowding will steam the meat instead of searing it, and you won’t get that lovely crust. Cook in batches if necessary!
Pat the Beef Dry (Optional but Recommended): For an even better sear, you can lightly pat the beef cubes dry with a paper towel after marinating, before placing them in the pan. This helps achieve a crispier exterior.
Prep Ahead: You can make the dipping sauce a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The beef can also marinate for a couple of hours, but I wouldn’t go much longer as the acid in the marinade could start to break down the meat too much.
Taste and Adjust: Seriously, don’t be afraid to taste your marinade and dipping sauce as you go and adjust the seasonings to your liking. Everyone’s palate is different!

How to Store It

Leftovers? Lucky you! Store any leftover cooked beef cubes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The dipping sauce will also keep in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat the beef gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. They’re still delicious the next day!

FAQs

Can I make the gochujang dipping sauce less spicy?

Absolutely! Start with just 1/2 tablespoon of gochujang and add more to your taste. You can also balance the heat with a little extra honey or brown sugar.

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes, flank steak or even a leaner cut like sirloin tip would work. Just be mindful of cooking times, as leaner cuts can dry out faster.

Can I grill these instead of pan-frying?

Definitely! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and cook the marinated beef cubes for 2-3 minutes per side, or until nicely seared and cooked to your liking.

Are these good for meal prep?

Yes! You can marinate the beef and make the sauce ahead of time. Cook the beef just before serving for the best texture, but leftovers are also great cold or gently reheated.

Korean BBQ Beef Cubes

Little bites of pure joy, bursting with savory, sweet, and a hint of spicy flavor that will have everyone reaching for more. They come together surprisingly fast, making them perfect for last-minute get-togethers or even just a fun weeknight treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 10

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

Medium bowl
Small bowl
grill or cast-iron skillet medium-high heat
Serving platter

Ingredients

For the Korean BBQ Beef Cubes

1 pound beef sirloin cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon ginger minced
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon green onions chopped (for garnish)
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)

For the Spicy Soy Dipping Sauce

3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon honey
1 clove garlic minced
1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, and black pepper. Add your beef cubes and toss them around until every single piece is coated in that delicious marinade. Cover the bowl and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. If you have more time, you can let it go up to 2 hours for even deeper flavor.
While the beef is marinating, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, gochujang, sesame oil, honey, and minced garlic in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Preheat your grill or a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
Drain off any excess marinade from the beef. Carefully place the beef cubes onto the hot grill or into the skillet. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, until beautifully seared and cooked to your desired doneness.
Transfer the cooked beef cubes to a serving platter. Sprinkle generously with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Serve the dipping sauce in a small bowl alongside the beef, garnished with a few more sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Notes

For an even better sear, you can lightly pat the beef cubes dry with a paper towel after marinating, before placing them in the pan. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.