Stir-fried Beef and Cucumber
Crispy and Delicious Stir-fried Beef and Cucumber Recipe
Today, I’m sharing a recipe for ‘#StirFriedBeefAndCucumber’ that’s a real rice-gami! I made it the other day, and the wonderfully chewy texture and savory flavor were so good, I couldn’t stop reaching for my chopsticks! While stir-fried cucumber alone is delicious, adding tender beef elevates the flavor even further, making it a perfect dish for ‘#KidsMeals’. It’s easy and quick to make, making it an ideal side dish to keep on hand.
Main Ingredients- 200g Beef (minced or for bulgogi)
- 2 Cucumbers
- 1 Red chili pepper
- 1 Green onion
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Grapeseed oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
For Washing Cucumbers- 1 Tbsp Coarse salt
For Curing Cucumbers- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Kosher salt (or fine salt)
For Marinating Beef- 1 Tbsp Fish sauce (or soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp Plum extract
- 1 Tbsp Coarse salt
For Curing Cucumbers- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Kosher salt (or fine salt)
For Marinating Beef- 1 Tbsp Fish sauce (or soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp Plum extract
- 1 Tbsp Fish sauce (or soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp Plum extract
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Rubbing them gently with coarse salt helps remove surface imperfections and impurities, and is also effective in getting rid of pesticide residues. So, be sure to do this step.
Step 2
After washing the cucumbers, cut them in half lengthwise. Then, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds from the center. If your cucumbers have fewer seeds or none at all, you can skip this step and simply slice them into rounds or diagonally before stir-frying. Removing the seeds helps prevent the dish from becoming watery when cooked.
Step 3
Slice the deseeded cucumbers diagonally into bite-sized pieces. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 tablespoon of kosher salt to the sliced cucumbers and gently mix them together. Let them cure for about 10 minutes. This curing process helps draw out moisture from the cucumbers and enhances their crispy texture.
Step 4
Pat the beef dry with paper towels to remove excess blood, then mince it into bite-sized pieces. (If using beef for bulgogi, cut it into smaller pieces with scissors.) Place the minced beef in a bowl, add all the marinade ingredients (fish sauce, cooking wine, plum extract), and mix well with your hands. Let it marinate for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 5
Rinse the cured cucumbers lightly under running water to remove the saltiness, then squeeze out as much water as possible with your hands. Thinly slice the red chili pepper and finely chop the green onion. Having your vegetables prepped makes stir-frying much easier.
Step 6
Now it’s time to stir-fry! Heat a wide, round pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil. Once the oil is slightly warm, add the minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn it. As soon as the garlic aroma rises, add the marinated beef. Use chopsticks to break up any clumps of meat while it cooks.
Step 7
When the beef is mostly cooked and has changed color, add the squeezed cucumbers to the pan and stir-fry together. Continue stir-frying until the cucumbers become slightly translucent. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will become mushy. Stir-frying over high heat for a short time is key.
Step 8
Once the beef and cucumbers are somewhat cooked, add the chopped green onion and red chili pepper. Stir-fry quickly, mixing everything together for about another minute. Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty aroma, and your ‘#StirFriedBeefAndCucumber’ is complete! Taste it and if you feel it needs more seasoning, you can add a pinch of salt, but it’s usually flavorful enough as is.
Step 9
Transfer the finished stir-fried beef and cucumber to a serving plate. If you like, sprinkle some sesame seeds on top for a visually appealing finish and enhanced flavor.
Step 10
The combination of the crispy cucumber and savory beef creates a wonderfully flavorful ‘#StirFriedBeefAndCucumber’. The more you chew, the more the savory taste spreads in your mouth, making it the perfect side dish for rice!
Step 11
This dish is not spicy and has a mild flavor, making it a great and healthy option for ‘#KidsMeals’. If serving to children, you can omit the red chili pepper. This appealing Stir-fried Beef and Cucumber is something everyone, young and old, can enjoy. Give it a try!
