Yukgaejang Meal prep

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Spicy Beef Soup Frozen Meal Prep 🍲

Yukgaejang is a traditional Korean soup known for its hearty and spicy flavor. Made with shredded beef, a variety of vegetables, and a rich broth, this dish is both comforting and nutritious. The name "yukgaejang" comes from two Korean words: "yuk," meaning beef, and "gaejang," referring to a spicy soup, which reflects its main ingredients and characteristic spiciness.

Packed with ingredients like green onions, mushrooms, and bean sprouts, it’s perfect for meal prep. You can store it in the freezer and enjoy a nourishing, deeply flavored bowl of soup whenever you need it. This flexibility makes yukgaejang not only a delicious meal but also a convenient option for busy days, providing warmth and sustenance when you need it most.

🛒 Ingredients

Preparation:

• Dried shiitake mushrooms (soaked in water for 12 hours, sliced thinly)

• King oyster mushrooms (optional) (sliced thinly)

• Beef brisket or skirt steak (soaked in water for 30 minutes to remove blood)

• Fernbrake (gosari) (rinsed thoroughly)

• Onion and green onions (sliced lengthwise)

For sautéing:

• Oil

• Beef

• Sliced onion

• Minced garlic

• Soy sauce for soup, fish sauce, or liquid aminos

• 1 tbsp gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)

• Black pepper

For freezing:

• 1 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce)

• Green onions

• boiled braken (mulgobi)

• bean sprouts

• Soaked shitake mushrooms • sliced king oyster mushroom

• Sautéed beef mixture

• Gochugaru (additional)

• Soup stock cubes (1–2 per container)

• Gukganjang (Korean soy sauce) https://a.co/d/4iokUVy

• Fish sauce https://a.co/d/5S2v4bn

• Red pepper powder https://a.co/d/7SuBX7K

• Coin Broth https://a.co/d/0nrUewS

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👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe

Prepare the sautéed mixture:

1. Sauté the beef: Heat oil in a large pot. Add beef and stir-fry until lightly browned.

2. Add aromatics: Add onion, minced garlic, soy sauce or fish sauce, gochugaru, and black pepper. Stir-fry until the beef and aromatics are well mixed and fragrant.

Assemble the freezer containers:

3. Layer the ingredients: In a freezer-safe container, add:

• 1 tbsp fish sauce or soy sauce at the bottom

• Sliced green onions, boiled braken, bean sprouts, and mushrooms

• The sautéed beef mixture

• 1–2 soup stock cubes and additional gochugaru for extra spice

4. Freeze: Seal the containers and freeze them until ready to use.

🥘 Cooking Instructions

1. Add water: Place the frozen ingredients in a pot and add water until it covers about 2/3 of the ingredients.

2. Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30–40 minutes. Add more water as needed while cooking.

3. Optional: Beat an egg and drizzle it into the soup during the last few minutes of cooking.

4. Season: Adjust the seasoning with salt to taste before serving.

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📌 Cooking Tips

• Protein alternatives: Substitute beef with chicken or omit entirely for a vegetarian version (use mushroom stock and extra mushrooms for depth).

• Perfect mushrooms: If using fresh king oyster mushrooms, slice them thinly for a texture that mimics beef strands.

• Customize your broth: Adjust spice levels with more or less gochugaru depending on your preference.

• Save time with pre-cooked boiled braken: Many Korean grocery stores sell pre-soaked and boiled fern break for convenience.(gobi)

This yukgaejang meal prep is not only freezer-friendly but also a lifesaver for busy days. It’s hearty, nourishing, and packed with the bold, spicy flavors of Korean cuisine.

Enjoy your homemade comfort food anytime! 🌶️🥩