• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipe Index
  • FAQ
  • About
  • Cookbooks

All Day I Dream About Food

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • FAQ
  • About
  • Cookbooks
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • FAQ
    • About
    • Cookbooks
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Keto Dinner Ideas » Keto Korean Beef with Zucchini Noodles

    Published: Aug 5, 2021 · Modified: Sep 2, 2021 by Carolyn

    Keto Korean Beef with Zucchini Noodles

    This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    5.6K shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy Keto Korean Beef is so full of flavor, your tastebuds will sing. It’s a delicious way to serve zucchini noodles, and using ground beef makes it extra fast and easy.

    Titled image of a bowl of keto Korean beef with zucchini noodles and chopsticks on the side.

    Pardon the interruption, folks, but you need to drop whatever you’re doing right now and put this keto Korean beef on your menu. And then you need to check your cupboard and make sure you have all the necessary ingredients.

    Because this one ranks up there as one of my all time favorite easy keto meals. I knew it would be good but I was truly blown away by just how good it was.

    Since I cook and bake for a living and I literally wrote the book on Easy Keto Dinners, that’s saying a lot!

    It’s a perfect dish to work in some of that summer zucchini, just like Cheesy Zucchini Casserole and Keto Zucchini Bread.

    Top down image of a pan of Keto Korean Beef with zucchini noodles on a white table.

    Korean beef bulgogi with a keto twist

    I haven’t attempted Korean food at home in a long time, not since before I was keto. In those days, I would have used bottled Korean BBQ sauce without even considering the sugar content.

    With all the modifications I made to this, I won’t even pretend that it’s remotely authentic. But it does capture the spirit and flavors of the original. I recommend this article from My Korean Kitchen if you want to great tips on how to make authentic Bulgogi.

    In addition to making mine sugar free, I also used ground beef rather than sliced beef. This eliminates the step of cutting up the beef and makes the recipe even easier.

    And then I added some zucchini noodles to make it a full one-pan meal. Delicious!

    Tossing beef and zucchini noodles together in a pan for keto Korean Beef

    How to prep zucchini noodles

    There are many ways you can prep zucchini noodles, but for a stir fry like this I recommend salting and draining in advance.

    Zucchini is a wonderful and healthy low carb pasta substitute, but if you simply add it raw, it turns your dinner into a soupy mess. It’s a common error I see in a lot of recipes.

    By salting the noodles and letting them drain for an hour, you draw out much of the moisture and will have much better results. It also softens them somewhat, so they don’t need to be cooked very long.

    Unlike shredded zucchini, however, you don’t want to squeeze it out as it will break up your noodles. Simply lay out a tea towel and spread your noodles on top, then pat dry with another tea towel.

    Pouring soy sauce into a pan of keto Korean beef.

    How to make Keto Korean Beef

    This is a fast and easy one-pan meal with fabulous flavors. Here’s how it’s done:

    1. Spiralize the zucchini. If you have a spiral cutter like this one, then I recommend using the plate with the larger holes for more sturdy noodles. But if you don’t, thinner noodles will work fine.
    2. Salt and drain the noodles. Place them in a colander in the sink and sprinkle with salt, then toss to combine. Let drain 1 hour. Then pat dry.
    3. Whip up the sauce. Simply add all the sauce ingredients into a glass measuring cup or bowl and whisk to combine.
    4. Cook the beef. Sauté the beef in a hot skillet until no longer pink.
    5. Stir in the sauce and the noodles. You only need to cook the noodles until they are warmed through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
    6. Grab a plate and dig in!
    Top down image of a bowl of Keto Korean Beef beside the pan.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    I hate zucchini, can I make this with other keto noodles?

    Sure thing! Try shiritaki noodles or hearts of palm noodles, both would be delicious. But trust me, you cannot taste the zucchini in this recipe.

    What is tamari?

    Tamari is a kind of gluten free soy sauce. I prefer it over things coconut aminos for two reasons: it’s lower in carbs and has much more flavor. If you avoid soy, then coconut aminos will be fine but less flavorful.

    Can I use different sweeteners?

    Yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind. A brown sugar replacement like Swerve gives the sauce the proper Korean BBQ flavor. The allulose helps it thicken and become syrupy. Other sweeteners may not give you these qualities.

    Can I make this Keto Korean Beef with chicken?

    Sure, you can make it easily with ground or sliced chicken, or even turkey. It will still be delicious.

    Do the leftovers reheat well?

    They do! I ate some for lunch the next day. The noodles get a little mushier but it’s still a great meal.

    More delicious keto one-pan meals

    • Mexican Cauliflower Rice
    • Easy Keto Jambalaya
    • Keto Jerk Chicken and Rice
    • Stuffed Pepper Skillet – Keto Recipe
    Titled image of a bowl of keto Korean beef with zucchini noodles and chopsticks on the side.

    Keto Korean Beef Recipe

    This easy Keto Korean Beef is so full of flavor, your tastebuds will sing. It's a delicious way to serve zucchini noodles, and using ground beef makes it extra fast and easy.
    5 from 23 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Main Course
    Keyword: keto Korean beef
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 13 minutes
    Drain time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 453kcal

    Ingredients

    Zucchini Noodles

    • 1 ½ lb zucchini (you will end up with about 18 to 20 ounces)
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Sauce

    • ¼ cup tamari
    • 3 tablespoon Swerve Brown
    • 2 tablespoon allulose (or BochaSweet or xylitol)
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 2 teaspoon sriracha optional
    • 2 teaspoon grated ginger
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

    Korean Beef

    • 2 tablespoon coconut oil
    • 1 ⅓ lb ground beef
    • 1 medium green onion, thinly sliced
    • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    Zucchini Noodles

    • Cut the ends off of the zucchini. Use the spiral cutter plate with larger holes to make zucchini noodles. Chop them slightly a few times to break up the long noodles.
    • Place the noodles in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Toss to combine and drain for 1 hour, then pat them dry between tea towels (do not squeeze them out). Set aside.

    Sauce

    • In a glass measuring cup, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients. Set aside.

    Korean Beef

    • In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the coconut oil. Once hot, add the beef and stir fry until no pink remains, about 7 minutes. Break up the clumps with the back of a wooden spoon as you cook.
    • Stir in the sauce and green onion and cook until the sauce has reduced and thickenend, another 2 to 3 minutes.
    • Add the zucchini noodles, toss to combine, and cook 2 to 3 minutes to heat through.
    • Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.
    Nutrition Facts
    Keto Korean Beef Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving = ¼ of recipe)
    Calories 453 Calories from Fat 263
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 29.2g45%
    Carbohydrates 6.7g2%
    Fiber 1.7g7%
    Protein 29.2g58%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    5.6K shares

    free email series

    Secrets to Keto Baking

    Tips and tricks to delicious and healthy recipes!


    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

    Reader Interactions

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Lynn says

      November 05, 2022 at 2:18 pm

      Would coconut amino’s work instead of tamari?

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        November 05, 2022 at 2:57 pm

        Yes, but it doesn’t have nearly as much flavor and has more carbs.

        Reply
    2. Cheryl M says

      September 21, 2022 at 12:45 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing flavor and simple to make. I doubled the recipe and mixed half with shiritaki noodles and half with rice noodles (for the rest of my family members, who insist keto food isn’t good) and every plate was wiped clean. My 11 yo was a huge fan and this one is going into the regular rotation. Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        September 21, 2022 at 8:34 pm

        Glad to hear it!

        Reply
    3. Lisa says

      September 03, 2022 at 10:14 pm

      Hi Caroline,
      Because I live in Canada (BC) I can’t get allulose. Bochasweet disagrees with me and xylatol is out because we have two dogs – lol! I made this dish using all Swerve brown and used 1/4 tsp. Konjac power to thicken it. It was delicious! Thought your other Canuck fans might be interested.

      Love this site and your humorous and down to earth writing style.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        September 04, 2022 at 8:03 am

        Thanks! I do know that people are getting allulose at one place online in Canada. Can’t remember which one!

        Reply
    4. Chris says

      August 06, 2022 at 4:58 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! My whole family loved it!

      Reply
    5. Cheryl says

      August 03, 2022 at 7:20 am

      5 stars
      Super easy, surprisingly flavorful and family loved!

      Reply
    6. Marianne says

      May 18, 2022 at 6:49 pm

      5 stars
      This was so much more than I expected!

      When I saw it, I knew I had to try it. It was easy, though the need to salt and drain the zoodles meant it was not fast from start to finish. Still, I just started early and played Dragon Question until time for Phase II.

      The flavors were excellent and most items are pantry items – I only needed to buy fresh garlic, ginger, zucchini, and pull ground beef from the freezer. And is is as economical as it is tasty! And, today I bought more zucchini to see what else I might do now that zoodles are a delicious thing in my life!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        May 18, 2022 at 8:58 pm

        Delighted to hear it!

        Reply
    7. Kristen says

      May 09, 2022 at 6:58 pm

      5 stars
      This was so delicious! I didn’t have zucchini, so I made with fresh broccoli florets. Made the beef according to directions, then moved to a bowl to keep warm. Added a little avocado oil to the same pan and then the broccoli. Allowed to stir fry for a few minutes, then added a little water, covered it so it would steam.
      Even my picky 11 year old said it was so good! I don’t normally post comments, but wanted to say thank you for this! It will definitely be in my dinner recipe rotation.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        May 10, 2022 at 7:47 am

        Wonderful!

        Reply
    8. Stacy DaSilva says

      April 19, 2022 at 4:52 pm

      5 stars
      We made this with a Wagyu Ground Beef our grocery had on sale and served it in lettuce cups and it was delicious.

      Making or own zoodles with the salting technique was so much better and cheaper than buying them prepared.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        April 19, 2022 at 5:08 pm

        So glad you liked it!

        Reply
    9. Lisa says

      April 12, 2022 at 6:52 pm

      5 stars
      Bulgogi is absolutely one of my favorite dishes and I had been so tempted to indulge so wow! This is a life saver, delicious and easy! Another spot on recipe- thanks Carolyn ❤️

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        April 12, 2022 at 7:48 pm

        I am so glad!

        Reply
    10. Tuula says

      April 09, 2022 at 8:46 am

      5 stars
      This is a fabulous dish! It has become one of the two most requested dishes at our biweekly potluck lunches (the other being pesto pizza with cauliflower crust). I discovered shaved beef at Trader Joe’s, and that makes it just about as authentic as the bulgogi we enjoyed on our trip to Seoul almost every day. Also easier to eat with Korean metal chopsticks than ground beef. ???? Thank you for this recipe, you Keto Magician! ????

      Reply
    11. Summer Fox says

      March 25, 2022 at 8:42 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for dinner tonight and it is delicious and so easy!

      Reply
    12. Jessica says

      March 23, 2022 at 8:30 pm

      Have you ever tried this sauce on chicken? I’m just wondering if it would taste good on chicken thighs.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        March 23, 2022 at 8:32 pm

        It’s somewhat similar to my keto yakitori so yes, I have! 🙂 Use my search box and type in yakitori for that recipe.

        Reply
    13. Jerri Gregory says

      March 16, 2022 at 8:39 pm

      5 stars
      Loved the flavor! Simple and delicious! For my tastes, I’d use thinner noodles or cut them up further as was slightly challenging to eat.

      Reply
    14. Erica Lynch says

      March 12, 2022 at 6:21 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my this was so good!!! So fast and easy. Thank you for yet another fabulous recipe.

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    FREE Secrets to Keto Baking

    Tips and tricks to delicious and healthy recipes!

    NEW E-COOKBOOK!
    The cover of Easy Dairy-Free Keto Desserts ebook.

    Carolyn Portrait

    Looking for the best low carb recipes? You’ve come to the right place! I’m Carolyn, a major carnivore and an unrepentant sweet tooth. Here you will find all you need to enjoy the low carb keto lifestyle to the fullest! Read more

    COPYRIGHT © 2023 · ALL DAY I DREAM ABOUT FOOD · DISCLOSURE POLICY · PRIVACY POLICY

    Copyright© 2023