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Crockpot Korean Inspired Tacos with Yum Yum Yummm Sauce. Shredded beef in a sweet and spicy Korean inspired sauce topped with slaw and the yummiest sauces. Inspired by the tacos served up on the streets of LA, but with my own twist. These tacos are made in the crockpot (along with instant pot and oven variations). They’re the best tacos to really switch up your weekly taco night.
With the Olympics coming up in February, I keep thinking back to our time spent in South Korea 4 years ago. One, it’s so crazy that it’s been 4 years since we all traveled across the world to watch Red compete. We’re so excited for this year’s Olympics in Bejing (but bummed we can’t be with Red and Hailey this time). My memories of Korea have me craving those Korean flavors we all enjoyed while there.
Surprisingly, the Korean taco is more of an LA thing, but the flavors are just so delicious. These tacos are inspired by those famous LA food truck tacos. I did a little bit of my own thing here and they turned out so good! Everyone really loved these.
The meat
I actually used Korean short ribs from Five Mary’s Farms, which were so awesome. You could also use regular short ribs (though I would just use boneless). A flank steak works in a pinch too.
The sauce is a mix of soy sauce (I use Tamari, which is just gluten-free soy sauce…I actually think it’s better), rice vinegar, and honey with lots of ginger and garlic. Brown sugar is traditional, but I wanted to use something healthier. The pear also sweetens the sauce slightly too.
Pour the sauce over the meat, then cook low and slow in the slow cooker. You can also use the instant pot or even the oven.
Just before serving, I like to put the shredded meat under the broiler to caramelize it and get some of it a little crispy. Delicious.
The yum yum yummm sauce
I stole this name from the creamy pink sauce often served at Japanese steakhouses alongside steaming plates of food. Everything I found online was a little different for the sauce, which is tomato-based and made with a little butter.
I wanted something creamy, but spicy, so I made my sauce with Gochujang, which is Korean chili paste. It’s been one of my favorite ingredients for years. I love to use the Mother-In-Laws brand, which doesn’t have any weird ingredients or a lot of added sugar.
It’s so delicious, so I thought it would be fun to just call it yum yum yummm sauce.
Serving
Do these tacos up with a quick homemade slaw. Then top with that yum yum yummm sauce. If you love sauces like we do, you can also make a simple sesame salsa verde with store-bought salsa verde and sesame seeds.
There’s a lot happening with these tacos. Lots of sauce, slaw, and, of course, that caramelized Korean beef. Definitely not your average taco, but so flavorful and delicious. These are the perfect tacos to switch things up any night of the week!
Looking for other Korean inspired recipes?? Here are my favorites:
Oven Fried Korean Popcorn Chicken
30 Minute Korean Beef and Peppers with Sesame Rice
Lastly, if you make this Crockpot Korean Inspired Tacos with Yum Yum Yummm Sauce, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Crockpot Korean Inspired Tacos with Yum Yum Yummm Sauce
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 919 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless short ribs or 2 pounds flank steak
- 3/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chile paste)
- 1 inch fresh ginger peeled
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 small pear, cored and quartered
- 8-10 corn or flour tortillas, warmed
- sesame salsa verde, for serving (see notes)
- avocado, sesame seeds, queso, for serving
Slaw
- 3 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 6 green onions, chopped
- 1-2 fresno peppers, seeded, if desired, and sliced
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
Yum Yum Yum Sauce
- 1/2 cup olive oil mayo
- 1-2 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chile paste)
- 2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
- juice from 1/2 a lime
Instructions
- 1. In a blender, combine the soy sauce, vinegar, honey, Gochujang, ginger, garlic, and pear. Blend until mostly smooth, then pour the sauce into the bowl of your crockpot. Stir in 1/2 cup water. Add the meat, then cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. 2. Preheat the broiler to high. Remove the meat from the sauce to a baking sheet and lightly shred. Add 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Broil for 2-5 minutes, until the meat caramelizes. Watch closely! Toss with additional cooking liquid, if desired.3. To make the slaw. In a bowl, mix the cabbage, cilantro, green onions, peppers, lime juice, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. 4. To make the sauce. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. 5. Stuff the meat, slaw, and avocado, into the warmed tortillas. Top with sauces, sesame seeds, and cheese.
Instant Pot
- 1. In a blender, combine the soy sauce, vinegar, honey, Gochujang, ginger, garlic, and pear. Blend until mostly smooth, then pour the sauce into the bowl of your instant pot. Stir in 1/2 cup water. Add the meat, then seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. 2. Follow the directions as directed above for steps 2-5.
Oven
- 1. Preheat the oven to 325° F.2. In a blender, combine the soy sauce, vinegar, honey, Gochujang, ginger, garlic, and pear. Blend until mostly smooth, then pour the sauce into a large dutch oven. Stir in 1/2 cup water. Add the meat, cover and roast in the oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until the short ribs are tender and falling off the bone.3. Follow the directions as directed above for steps 2-5.
Notes
Sesame Salsa Verde: combine 1 1/2 cups salsa verde, 1-2 tablespoons Gochujang, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons sesame seeds. Serve with the tacos.
This post was originally published on January 6, 2022
These were so good, everyone in the family loved them. My 18 year old daughter kept complimenting me on dinner.
Hi Erin,
Fantastic!! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
These were outstanding…might be the best tacos I have ever had. Will be making these regularly!
Hey Caroline,
Fantastic!! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
This is 100% our new favorite taco recipe. SO incredibly easy with the slow cooker and just beyond good. Accidentally bought bone-in short rib instead of boneless but they still came out amazing- would love to try with the flank steak next time! Cannot wait to have the leftovers tomorrow. Thank you so much for this one, Tieghan!
Hi Bianca,
Fantastic!! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
Made this for dinner tonight!
Delish, we loved it! I used the short ribs so tender
Enough heat for a little kick!
Hi Joanna,
Fantastic!! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
Made with 2lbs of chicken breasts instead of beef and it was absolutely amazing. Followed the recipe exactly for the crockpock option as well as the slaw and sauce. Wish I could eat this every night. Had neighbors join us and we couldn’t stop eating it. Shhh… I kept all the leftover for myself.
Hey Marin,
Wonderful! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it. Have the best weekend:) xTieghan
These were outstanding- such incredible flavor. I used instant pot and did natural release for 10 mins… would suggest cutting short rib/meat into large chunks so it is fully submerged in liquid… leaving as a large piece it did not shred so I had to chop- it was still cooked perfectly and flavor is great. Only used 1 tbsp gochujong bc my kids don’t like much spice and was perfect – sauces were delicious
Hi Maureen,
Fantastic!! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
Best taco recipe ever.
Hi Kate,
Fantastic!! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
I swore when I watched your IG video you suggested marinading overnight. But I didn’t see that above.
Hi Allison,
You could do that if you have the time, but it is not necessary:) Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
I made them and they were fantastic.
Hi Allison,
Awesome! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan
These are ridiculously good. My husband, who is way to old to do this, licked his plate. I decided to make these after reading that your brother texted you to tell you that he really liked them. High praise, indeed! Try ‘em guys! You won’t be disappointed.
Hey Kris,
Fantastic!! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
Great!! Added a tsp of honey to the slaw dressing. Would use yogurt for yum yum. The Korean chili paste is a great find!!
Hi Tim,
Fantastic!! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
So yummy is right! Made this last night for my family and friends and it got smashing reviews. My husband said it tasted like it came from an Austin Food Truck! And we live in North Carolina. Thanks for sharing…….
Hey Jacqui,
Fantastic!! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
Looks delish! Can I use beef stew meat for this recipe?
Hi Carrie,
Sure, that will work well for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
What kind of taco shells do you think is best for these? Corn or flour?
Hi Kelly,
I like to use corn for these, but whatever you like is great! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
We loved it!! So good ?
Hi Melissa,
Happy Sunday! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for making it! xxT
So yummy!! I didn’t have a pear so I would like to try it out next time for sure. Blasting with flavor, love all the veggies and the sauce is just the cherry on top.
Hi Leia,
Happy Sunday! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for making it! xxT
Absolutely delicious! There are a lot of different flavors going on here that go together perfectly!! I topped them off with toasted sesame seeds! I will make this again and again!!
Hey Dor,
Happy Sunday! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for making it! xxT