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Spicy Beef and Korean Rice Cakes – Tteokbokki

This bold and Spicy Beef and Korean Rice Cakes recipe features the delicious and easy-to-prepare Tteokbokki, thinly sliced steak, and vegetables for a fantastic dinner done in about 30 minutes. There are a couple of specialty ingredients here, but both are available from Amazon and once you try them,, you’ll want to keep these in your pantry always and forever for a quick meal option.

Spicy Beef and Rice Cakes

Spicy Korean Rice Cakes with Beef

Korean food is one of our favorite types of cuisine, but this isn’t one you’ll find on the menu at your local restaurant. This is our spin using classic Korean flavors in a spicy stir fry, full of flavor that works as a whole meal on its own or as a part of a larger feast.

There are a few specialty ingredients you probably don’t have in your pantry and might be hard to find at your local corner grocery store, but Amazon will come through for you in a pinch. Plus, these are items you’re going to want to keep around for a rainy day. You can use them in a variety of different dishes, and they keep for a really long time. I’ve got links to the ingredients down in the recipe card or here in my Amazon Store.

This is another one of my recipes made using that amazing thinly sliced New York from Costco! If you don’t have a Costco near you or can’t find this, just ask your butcher to slice your steak for you for the best results. You can also do it at home. Just slice thinly, across the grain.

We have a whole series of recipes utilizing this versatile protein in the works, so stay tuned! You can already see our Homemade Hot Roast Beef Sandwich, and Blackstone Beef and Broccoli.

Try all of my Stir-Fry Recipes!

Spicy Beef and Korean Rice Cakes

Spicy Korean Rice Cakes with Beef shopping list

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Korean Rice cakes
  • Korean chili flakes
  • Soy sauce
  • Sriracha sauce
  • Garlic cloves
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Thinly sliced beef strip steak
  • Carrots
  • Onion
  • Green onion
  • Brown sugar

Try our Grilled Beef Bulgogi!

Spicy Beef and Rice Cakes

How to make Spicy Tteokbokki with Beef

This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1

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Cook

Put the cooking liquid ingredients into a pot and bring to a boil. Add the rice cakes. Cook 5 minutes. Add the carrots. Cook 1 minute. Test a rice cake by cutting it in half to make sure it is tender through the entire rice cake.

Remove the carrots, rice cakes, and garlic and reserve along with 1 cup of the cooking liquid.

2

Stir fry

Stir fry the beef in the oil along with the onions until the beef is cooked and the onions are translucent. Add the brown sugar along with the rest of the stir-fry ingredients.

3

Cook

Let the stir-fry mixture cook until it is slightly thickened.

4

Enjoy

Serve hot! You can include a side of rice if you’re feeling frisky.

Our Spicy Grilled Galbi is great too!

Spicy Beef and Rice Cakes

Spicy Korean Rice Cakes with Beef and Vegetables FAQ

What’s the best way to store and reheat leftovers?

We store these in any airtight storage container or a big freezer baggie in the fridge. It keeps for 2-3 days in the fridge. The rice cakes will harden in the fridge, but they soften again during the reheat. The microwave works well for reheating.

Sure! Do you have extra vegetables in the fridge? Zucchini? Cabbage? Bell peppers? Chop ’em up and toss ’em in. You could substitute another hot sauce for sriracha if you’ve been affected by the worldwide shortages, or you can even use Gochujang instead, making this more authentically “Korean”. Even though actual Korean cooks would argue that point with me, and they’d be right.

Traeger Korean Grilled Chicken Legs

Spicy Beef and Rice Cakes
Spicy Beef and Rice Cakes

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Spicy Beef and Rice Cakes
Yield: 6 servings

Spicy Beef and Korean Rice Cakes

Spicy Beef and Rice Cakes

This delicious stir fry is made up of vegetables, thinly sliced beef, and Korean rice cakes! You're going to love this tasty sauce, and this all-in-one meal will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

Rice cake cooking liquid

  • 21.6 ounces Korean Rice cakes
  • 8 cups water
  • 2 tablespoon Korean chili flakes, divided
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons sriracha sauce, divided
  • 5 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

Stir Fry

  • 1 pound thinly sliced beef strip steak
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onion (divided)
  • 1 cup rice cake cooking liquid
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Add all your water, garlic, onion powder, and half of your chili flakes, soy sauce, sriracha, and garlic powder to a large stock pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Once it begins to boil, add all of your rice cakes to the pot and let cook for five minutes. During the last minute of cooking, add in the chopped carrots.
  3. Take one of the rice cakes out and cut it in half to make sure it is soft all the way through. If the rice cake isn’t cooked through, let them cook for another minute and test another one.
  4. Once they are cooked through, remove them and the carrots from the cooking liquid.
  5. Save one cup of the cooking liquid and the cloves of garlic.
  6. While the liquid is coming to a simmer, put a large sauté pan or wok on the stove over high heat. Once it is good and hot add your olive oil and beef.
  7. Cook your beef until done, and add your chopped onions. Cook the onions until they become slightly translucent at the edges.
  8. Next, add your brown sugar and the rest of your chili flakes, soy sauce, sriracha, and garlic powder. Stir it all in evenly.
  9. Add in your carrots, rice cakes, garlic cloves, and the cooking liquid you saved.
  10. Let cook for 3-5 minutes until the liquids thicken a little.
  11. Pull from the heat and add in the chopped green onion.
  12. Serve hot.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 863Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 1909mgCarbohydrates: 133gFiber: 8gSugar: 13gProtein: 38g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.

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Nicole Johnson
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Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

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