
Korean BBQ Beef Tacos with Simple Cabbage Slaw
Korean BBQ tacos come together with just two simple components. These are the savory marinated beef and a crisp green cabbage slaw. They are all tucked snugly into either a corn or flour tortilla. Despite the minimal ingredients, these tacos pack an incredible punch of flavor. The beef cooks up quickly in a hot skillet. It caramelizes around the edges. This process fills the kitchen with that irresistible sweet-and-savory aroma Korean BBQ is known for. Meanwhile, the cabbage slaw adds a refreshing crunch. It balances the richness of the meat. This creates a perfect contrast in every bite. Around here, Korean BBQ tacos are a true family favorite, especially on busy nights. They’re wonderfully easy to prepare. The beef cooks in just minutes. Dinner goes from prep to table faster than the kids can ask what’s for supper. The simplicity, speed, and bold taste make them a go-to option that never disappoints.
The beef is first thinly sliced. Then, it is marinated in a mixture of crushed kiwi. Soy sauce and chili garlic paste are added for just a few hours. That combination might seem unusual at first glance, but it works beautifully. The kiwi doesn’t leave any noticeable flavor in the finished dish. In fact, you won’t taste it at all. However, it acts as a remarkably effective natural meat tenderizer. Its enzymes break down the beef just enough to make each slice melt-in-your-mouth tender without turning mushy. The salty soy and the subtle heat of the chili garlic paste pair perfectly. These elements allow the marinade to transform the beef into something incredibly flavorful quickly.
The green cabbage slaw is simply shredded. It is then tossed with a bright mixture of apple cider vinegar. A splash of vegetable oil, a touch of sugar, and a handful of seasonings complete the mixture. It comes together in just a few minutes, yet it brings so much freshness to the dish. The vinegar adds a lively tang. The sugar balances it with a hint of sweetness. The seasonings round everything out with a subtle depth. Once mixed, the slaw stays wonderfully crisp. It offers a refreshing crunch. This crunch pairs perfectly with the soft, flavorful slices of marinated steak. The tender, savory beef contrasts with the cool, crunchy cabbage. This combination is what makes each taco taste so balanced. It is satisfying, bite after bite.
Cost to make this recipe.
Korean BBQ tacos recipe makes four servings. One serving provides two tacos each. This recipe calculated to a total cost of $19.14 or about $4.79 per serving or $2.39 per taco.
The majority of the cost comes from the meat. As homesteaders, we can only reduce the cost of a few ingredients like the mushrooms, green cabbage, and carrots. We grow all three of these ingredients and can reduce the total to $16.19 or about $4.12 per serving size.
Korean BBQ tacos and simple slaw recipe inspired by Kimchimari Korean food blog. All images and texts are original to Vintage Mountain Homestead.
Korean BBQ Tacos with Slaw
Ingredients
Steak & Marinade
- 2 kiwis, …[$1.00]
- ¼ cup water, …[$0]
- 2 tbsp soy sauce, …[$0.16]
- 2 tbsp white granulated sugar, …[$0.04]
- 1 tsp chili garlic paste, …[$0.03]
- 1 tsp garlic powder, …[$0.05]
- 1 tsp black pepper, …[$0.92]
- 1 lb steak, sliced thin…[$9.00]
Slaw
- ½ small green cabbage, shredded or chopped…[$0.65]
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, …[$0.02]
- 1 tbsp sesame oil, …[$0.54]
- 1 tsp soy sauce, …[0.03]
- 1 tbsp white granulated sugar, …[$0.02]
Other Ingredients
- 8 taco tortillas, …[$1.44]
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds, divided…[$1.62]
- 1 cup mushrooms, quartered…[$1.75]
- 1 large carrot, thin matchstick…[$0.25]
- 3 tbsp sesame oil, …[$1.62]
INSTRUCTIONS
- Slice the steak thinly and set aside.
- In a medium size bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients together. Add in the sliced steak, mix, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- In another medium bowl combine vinegar, oil, sugar, and soy sauce. Toss in sliced cabbage. Mix to coat all cabbage with dressing. Set slaw aside in refrigerator.
- When ready, heat skillet or wok. Add sesame oil and cook mushrooms and carrot slices for 10 minutes.
- Strain the sliced steak from marinade and cook on high with mushrooms and carrots. Take off heat and toss with sesame seeds. Add to the tortillas and top with green cabbage slaw and enjoy.

Korean BBQ Tacos with Slaw
Ingredients
Steak & Marinade
- 2 whole kiwis, …[$1.00]
- ¼ cup water, …[$0]
- 2 tbsp soy sauce, …[$0.16]
- 2 tbsp white granulated sugar, …[$0.04]
- 1 tsp chili garlic paste, …[$0.03]
- 1 tsp garlic powder, …[$0.05]
- 1 tsp black pepper, …[$0.92]
- 1 lb steak, sliced thin…[$9.00]
Slaw
- ½ small green cabbage, shredded or chopped…[$0.65]
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, …[$0.02]
- 1 tbsp sesame oil, …[$0.54]
- 1 tsp soy sauce, …[0.03]
- 1 tbsp white granulated sugar, …[$0.02]
Other Ingredients
- 8 taco tortillas, …[$1.44]
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds, divided…[$1.62]
- 1 cup mushrooms, quartered…[$1.75]
- 1 large carrot, thin matchstick…[$0.25]
- 3 tbsp sesame oil, …[$1.62]
Instructions
- Slice the 1 lb steak thinly and set aside.
- In a medium size bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients (2 whole kiwis, ¼ cup water, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp white granulated sugar, 1 tsp chili garlic paste, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp black pepper). Add in the sliced steak, mix, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- In another medium bowl, combine 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp white granulated sugar, and 1 tsp soy sauce. Toss in sliced ½ small green cabbage. Mix to coat all cabbage with dressing. Set slaw aside in refrigerator.
- When ready, heat skillet or wok. Add 3 tbsp sesame oil and cook 1 cup mushrooms and 1 large carrot for 10 minutes.
- Strain the sliced steak from marinade and cook on high with mushrooms and carrots. Take off heat and toss with 2 tbsp sesame seeds. Add to the 8 taco tortillas and top with green cabbage slaw and enjoy.
