Quick Savory Korean Ground Beef Bowls
A quick and easy Korean ground beef bowl with a savory-sweet sauce, perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in about 20 minutes, this flavorful dish is a comforting and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Optional: quick pickled cucumbers or carrots
Instructions
- Cook 4 cups of rice according to package instructions (about 15-20 minutes).
- While rice cooks, peel and mince garlic and grate fresh ginger.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Reduce heat to medium. Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour sauce over beef and stir to coat evenly.
- Simmer beef in sauce for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Slice green onions and toast sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for 2 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Assemble bowls by spooning warm rice into bowls, topping with beef mixture, and sprinkling with green onions and sesame seeds. Add pickled vegetables if desired.
Notes
Use low sodium soy sauce to control saltiness. For gluten-free, substitute tamari for soy sauce. Ground turkey or chicken can be used for a leaner option but watch cooking times. Toast sesame seeds and use fresh ginger and garlic for best flavor. If sauce is too salty, add a splash of water or lime juice. Drizzle more sesame oil if beef seems dry. Leftovers keep well for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximatel
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: Korean ground beef bowl, quick dinner, savory beef bowl, easy Korean recipe, weeknight meal