Lighter Sweet & Spicy Korean BBQ Beef Skewers
These lighter Korean BBQ beef skewers feature a quick marinade with gochujang, ginger, and honey for a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Ready in under an hour, they’re ideal for weeknight grilling or summer cookouts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 53 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680g) beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons (45g) gochujang
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) honey
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon (15g) fresh ginger, grated
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (9g) sesame seeds, for garnish
- 3 stalks green onions, sliced, for garnish
- 12 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- Soak the skewers (if using bamboo) in a shallow dish of water for at least 30 minutes.
- Make the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine gochujang, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Whisk until smooth.
- Prepare the beef: Pat the beef sirloin dry with paper towels. Cut into 1-inch cubes, keeping them uniform in size.
- Marinate the beef: Place beef cubes in a large resealable plastic bag or glass dish. Pour marinade over beef, seal bag, and massage to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 2 hours.
- Thread the skewers: Remove beef from refrigerator. Thread 4-5 cubes onto each soaked skewer, leaving a small gap between pieces.
- Preheat the grill: Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C).
- Grill the skewers: Place skewers on grill grates. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, turning once with tongs. Internal temperature should reach 135°F (57°C) for medium-rare.
- Rest and garnish: Remove skewers from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Notes
Don’t over-marinate; the ginger and vinegar can make the meat mushy if left longer than 2 hours. Pat the beef dry before marinating for better flavor. Oil the grill grates, not the meat, to prevent sticking. Watch for sugar burn from the honey; lower heat if needed. Let skewers rest for 5 minutes before serving. For easier flipping, thread meat onto two parallel skewers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skewers
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 32
Keywords: Korean BBQ, beef skewers, gochujang, sweet and spicy, grilled, healthy, weeknight dinner