Korean BBQ Beef Tacos

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Spice-filled, flavorful Korean BBQ Beef Tacos

Total Active Cook Time: ~10–12 minutes | Level of Difficulty: Easy

Korean BBQ Beef Tacos combine tender, gochujang‑marinated steak with bright kimchi slaw and a drizzle of creamy sesame sauce, all nestled in warm tortillas. This fusion favorite marries the smoky, savory flavors of Korean barbecue with the easy, handheld fun of Mexican street tacos—perfect for dinner parties or a casual weeknight feast. Let’s dive in and learn how to bring this vibrant, flavor‑packed dish from your kitchen to the table!

Ingredients

• For the Beef Marinade:

  • 1 lb flank steak (or short ribs)

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce

  • 2 tbsp sesame oil

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp grated ginger

  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar

  • 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste) or sriracha for heat

  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds

  • 2 green onions, chopped

  • 1 tbsp water (optional, to thin the marinade)

• For the Tacos:

  • 8 small corn tortillas

  • 1 cup kimchi (store-bought or homemade), chopped

  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

  • 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced

  • 1/4 cup spicy mayo (or regular mayo with a dash of sriracha)

  • Lime wedges (for garnish)

  • Chopped scallions (for garnish)

Step 1: Marinate the Beef

In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, gochujang, sesame seeds, and green onions. Stir well to combine.

Place the flank steak in a zip-lock bag or shallow dish, and pour the marinade over it. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, for maximum flavor.

A raw flank steak in a dish with marinade

Tip Alert

Beef Alternatives

Chicken (thighs or breast) – Marinated similarly for a lighter option

Pork (shoulder or belly) – Still captures that rich BBQ flavor

Tofu or Tempeh – Great vegetarian/vegan alternatives that absorb marinades well

Mushrooms (like portobello or oyster) – Meaty texture and umami-rich flavor

Jackfruit – Pulled jackfruit works great as a plant-based filling

Marinated chicken, jackfruit, and mushrooms

Marinade Substitutes

Soy Sauce → Tamari or Coconut Aminos (for gluten-free)

Gochujang → Sriracha + Miso Paste or Chili Garlic Sauce + a bit of honey

Sesame Oil → Olive oil + a dash of toasted sesame seeds

Rice Vinegar → Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar

Asian Pear (for tenderizing) → Apple, Kiwi, or Pineapple juice/puree

Gochujang, Sesame Oil, Rice vinegar, and Asian pear.

Step 2: Grill the Beef

Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.

Remove the beef from the marinade (discard any leftover marinade) and grill the flank steak for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked to your desired level of doneness (about 135°F for medium-rare).

Once done, let the beef rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing it thinly against the grain.

Grilled flank steak on a plate in thin slices

Step: Prepare the Toppings

While the beef is resting, prepare the toppings. Chop the kimchi, slice the cucumber thinly, and chop the fresh cilantro.

Mix the mayo with a small amount of sriracha for the spicy mayo (or use pre-made spicy mayo).

Kimchi, cucumber, and fresh cilantro in one bowl. Mayo with a small amount of sriracha in another bowl.

Tip Alert

Topping Alternatives

Kimchi → Pickled red onions, sauerkraut, or spicy slaw

Cucumber slices → Pickled radish or shredded carrots

Sriracha mayo → Yogurt + chili paste or avocado crema

Scallions → Chives or red onion slivers

Pickled red onions, shredded carrots, avocado crema, and chives.

Step 4: Warm the Tortillas

Heat the corn tortillas on a skillet or grill for about 30 seconds on each side until warm and slightly crispy.

Warm tortillas | Photo Credits: Vecteezy

Tip Alert

Tortilla Alternatives

Lettuce wraps (for a low-carb or gluten-free option)

Napa cabbage leaves – Crisp and fresh alternative

Bao buns – For a Korean-Chinese fusion twist

Corn tortillas – If flour tortillas aren’t available or for a gluten-free option

Fresh lettuce wraps alongside fluffy bao buns.

Step 5: Assemble the Tacos, Serve & Enjoy!

Place a few slices of grilled beef onto each tortilla.

Top with a generous amount of kimchi, cucumber slices, and cilantro.

Drizzle with spicy mayo and garnish with a squeeze of lime juice and chopped scallions.

Serve the Korean BBQ Beef Tacos immediately with extra lime wedges and enjoy the sweet, spicy, and savory flavors!

Freshly assembled Korean BBQ Beef Tacos

This recipe is perfect for a fun fusion meal and is sure to impress with its combination of Korean BBQ flavors in a handheld taco!