Crispy Cucumber and Tender Beef Stir-Fry
Delicious Stir-Fried Beef with Cucumber: A Perfect Side Dish
Enjoy this delightful stir-fried beef with cucumber, featuring a wonderfully chewy texture! The delightful crisp and firm bite make it a favorite for kids, turning it into a delicious side dish that everyone, young and old, will love. It’s a truly satisfying addition to any meal!
Main Ingredients- 200g Korean Beef (for Japchae), thinly sliced
- 1.5 Cucumbers
- 1 Tbsp Coarse Sea Salt
- Vegetable Oil, as needed
Seasoning & Garnish- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Beef Marinade- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- A pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Beef Marinade- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- A pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by thoroughly washing the cucumbers. Rubbing them with coarse sea salt helps remove any dirt or residue effectively. For the beef, gently pat it dry with paper towels to absorb excess blood. Removing blood will ensure a cleaner flavor without any gamey taste.
Step 2
Once washed, cut the cucumbers lengthwise in half. This preparation allows the seasonings to penetrate better and enhances the texture.
Step 3
Slice the halved cucumbers diagonally into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle the sliced cucumbers generously with salt and let them sit for about 20-30 minutes to salt. This salting process draws out excess moisture, preventing the stir-fry from becoming watery and preserving a delightful crunch.
Step 4
After salting, rinse the cucumbers gently under running water to remove the salt. Place them in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much water as possible. Thoroughly squeezing out the water is the key secret to achieving that wonderfully crisp and chewy texture.
Step 5
While the cucumbers are salting, marinate the beef. Combine the beef with soy sauce, minced garlic, and a pinch of black pepper. Gently mix them together. Marinating the beef beforehand ensures that the flavors are well absorbed, leading to a much tastier stir-fry.
Step 6
Heat a little vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the squeezed cucumbers and stir-fry quickly. Avoid overcooking, as this will make them soft. Stir-frying on high heat for a short time helps maintain their crispness and vibrant green color. Transfer the stir-fried cucumbers to a separate plate to cool down. This prevents them from continuing to cook and becoming mushy from residual heat.
Step 7
In the same pan used for the cucumbers, add the marinated beef. Cook the beef over medium heat, breaking it up with your spatula to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking. Cooking over excessively high heat can burn the outside before the inside is cooked through.
Step 8
Finally, combine the stir-fried cucumbers and the cooked beef in the pan. Drizzle with fragrant sesame oil and sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds for a delightful finish. Your delicious stir-fried beef with cucumber is now ready! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of freshly cooked rice.
