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Korean Sloppy Joes

Yummy Eats Daily
These Korean sloppy joes are a bold and spicy twist on the classic comfort food. Made with savory ground beef, gochujang, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil, then served on toasted buns with tangy quick-pickled cucumbers and onions—this weeknight dinner is unforgettable, satisfying, and full of umami flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6 sandwiches
Calories 570 kcal

Ingredients
  

Quick Pickles:

  • 1 large cucumber sliced thin
  • ½ red onion sliced thin
  • 2 large cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon gochujang or more to taste

Sloppy Joe’s:

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • ½ yellow onion diced
  • 2 tablespoons minced ginger
  • 3 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • ½ cup heaping gochujang
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped kimchi or kimchi juice
  • 4 oz tomato sauce
  • ¼ cup toasted sesame oil
  • Sesame seeds and green onions for garnish
  • 6 burger buns

Instructions
 

  • Pickles:
  • Place sliced cucumber and red onion in a bowl.
  • Heat garlic, sugar, salt, vinegar, water, and gochujang until dissolved.
  • Pour hot mixture over vegetables. Chill 30 minutes.
  • Sloppy Joe’s:
  • Heat oil and cook onion 2 min. Add garlic, ginger, bell pepper; cook 2 min.
  • Add beef, cook until browned. Drain fat.
  • See full steps with tips & photos → https://p4pd.org/korean-sloppy-joes/

Notes

  • Gochujang varies in spice level—adjust to your heat preference.
  • Kimchi juice adds tangy depth, but you can omit if needed.
  • Use lean beef or ground turkey for a lighter version.