This Korean Ground Beef Bowl is a quick and flavorful dish that combines savory, slightly sweet, and spicy flavors in one satisfying meal. Made with ground beef cooked in a rich, garlicky Korean-inspired sauce and served over rice, this dish is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. With minimal ingredients and a short cooking time, you can enjoy a homemade meal that tastes like takeout in under 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy – Ready in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Budget-Friendly – Uses simple pantry staples and ground beef, an affordable protein option.
- Customizable – Easily adjust spice levels, swap proteins, or add vegetables to suit your preferences.
- Great for Meal Prep – Stores well and reheats easily for a convenient meal.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef (80/20 or leaner)
- Cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
- Soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option)
- Brown sugar or honey
- Garlic, minced
- Ginger, grated
- Sesame oil
- Red pepper flakes (adjust for spice level)
- Green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds
- Carrot, julienned (optional for added texture)
- Salt and pepper
Directions
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Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess grease.
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Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
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Combine and Simmer: Pour the sauce over the cooked beef, stirring well to coat. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
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Assemble the Bowl: Serve the beef mixture over a bowl of cooked rice. Top with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and julienned carrots if using.
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Garnish and Serve: Drizzle with extra sesame oil or a dash of sriracha if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Protein Swap: Use ground turkey, chicken, or tofu for a lighter option.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve over cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps.
- Extra Veggies: Add bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms for extra nutrients.
- Sweeter Flavor: Increase the brown sugar or honey slightly for a more pronounced sweetness.
- Spicier Kick: Add gochujang (Korean chili paste) or sriracha for a bolder heat.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, or warm in a skillet over low heat.
- Freezing: Freeze the cooked beef mixture in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, the beef mixture can be cooked in advance and stored for quick meals throughout the week.
What type of rice works best?
White rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice are all great choices. Cauliflower rice is a good low-carb alternative.
Can I use a different sweetener?
Yes, you can substitute honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar for the brown sugar.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
What can I add for more flavor?
Try adding gochujang, a teaspoon of rice vinegar, or a dash of fish sauce for extra depth.
Can I use fresh ginger instead of ground ginger?
Yes, fresh ginger adds a more authentic taste. Use about 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger.
Is this recipe spicy?
The red pepper flakes add mild heat, but you can increase or decrease them to your preference.
What other toppings go well with this dish?
Kimchi, shredded cabbage, fried egg, or avocado slices are great additions.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply double all ingredients and use a larger pan for even cooking.
What side dishes pair well with this meal?
Steamed broccoli, cucumber salad, or a side of miso soup complement this dish well.
Conclusion
This Korean Ground Beef Bowl is a quick, flavorful, and budget-friendly meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. With a delicious blend of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, it’s sure to become a household favorite. Try different variations to customize it to your taste, and enjoy a satisfying homemade meal in just 20 minutes.
Print
Delicious Korean Ground Beef Bowl
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean, Asian
Description
This Korean Ground Beef Bowl is a quick and flavorful dish featuring seasoned ground beef cooked in a sweet and savory garlic-ginger sauce, served over fluffy rice and topped with fresh garnishes. A 20-minute meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
- For the Ground Beef:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or lean)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sriracha or gochujang (optional for spice)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- For the Rice Bowl:
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 1 fried egg (optional, per serving)
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef:
- Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned (about 5-6 minutes).
- Drain excess fat if needed.
- Make the Sauce:
- Add garlic and ginger to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Stir in soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sriracha/gochujang, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Stir in chopped green onions and remove from heat.
- Assemble the Bowls:
- Divide cooked rice into bowls.
- Top with Korean ground beef, sliced cucumbers, and julienned carrots.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and a fried egg if desired.
- Serve & Enjoy!
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Use cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.
- Add kimchi for extra authentic Korean flavor.
- Details
Nutrition
- Calories: ~500 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
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