Stir-fried Sirloin with Cucumber Strips
Super Simple Stir-fried Sirloin with Cucumber Strips Recipe! Great for a Diet Meal!
A healthy vegetable stir-fry that even picky eaters will love! This dish features sirloin (for japchae) and crisp cucumber, julienned and quickly stir-fried. The refreshing crunch of cucumber combined with the savory flavor of pork makes this a perfect side dish or a light meal for a diet. It’s a delightful banchan (side dish) with a nutty flavor that enhances your appetite.
Main Ingredients- 5 cucumbers
- 200-300g beef sirloin (for japchae)
- 2 red bell peppers
For Salting Cucumbers- 2 Tbsp salt (for salting cucumbers)
Beef Marinade- 1 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp oligosaccharide
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 pinches of salt
- 1 Tbsp rice wine (mirin or cooking wine)
For Finishing- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A little toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp salt (for salting cucumbers)
Beef Marinade- 1 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp oligosaccharide
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 pinches of salt
- 1 Tbsp rice wine (mirin or cooking wine)
For Finishing- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A little toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A little toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the sirloin for japchae. Place it in a bowl and add all the beef marinade ingredients (soy sauce for soup, minced garlic, pepper, oligosaccharide, sugar, salt, rice wine). Mix well and let it marinate for about 10-15 minutes. Tip: Using soy sauce for soup helps prevent the dish from looking murky. If you don’t have it, you can season with salt.
Step 2
Wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Cut them into 4 equal parts lengthwise. Then, using a knife, carefully cut away the outer edges at an angle, leaving the core. Julienne the cucumber into slightly thick strips. Tip: If it’s difficult to cut away the edges, you can scoop out the seeds with a spoon first and then julienne the cucumber.
Step 3
Add 2 tablespoons of salt to the julienned cucumber and mix well. Let it salt for 10-15 minutes to draw out moisture. Rinse the salted cucumbers lightly under cold running water to remove excess salt. Place them in a cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much water as possible.
Step 4
Remove the stems from the red bell peppers and deseed them. Then, julienne them into bite-sized pieces. If you like a bit of spice, you can mix in some Korean chili peppers (cheongyang peppers).
Step 5
Heat a pan over high heat. Add the marinated sirloin and 1 tablespoon of rice wine (or mirin). Stir-fry until all the liquid released from the meat has evaporated. (Tip: Stir-frying quickly over high heat prevents excess liquid and enhances flavor.)
Step 6
Add the well-drained julienned cucumber and the julienned red bell peppers to the pan. Stir-fry quickly over high heat, ensuring everything is evenly mixed. It’s crucial to stir-fry rapidly to prevent the cucumber from becoming soggy.
Step 7
Once the cucumber is added, stir-fry for no more than 1-2 minutes over high heat! Turn off the heat, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, and sprinkle with a little toasted sesame seeds. Mix well to combine. (Caution: Avoid stir-frying the cucumber for more than 2 minutes, as it can become mushy and lose its crisp texture. Be mindful of the cooking time!)
Step 8
Transfer the finished stir-fried sirloin with cucumber strips to a serving plate or bowl and let it cool slightly.
Step 9
This dish is delicious as a simple side dish, or try mixing it with gochujang (red chili paste) and a fried egg for a satisfying one-bowl meal. Adding a fried egg makes it an even more wonderful meal!
