Easy Korean Beef Bowl Recipe

Easy Korean Beef Bowl Recipe

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe was developed at its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly.

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 5 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • cup light brown sugar
  • teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 6 green onions, chopped, divided
  • 4 cups hot cooked brown rice
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Directions

Step 1: Gather all ingredients.

Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring and crumbling it into small pieces until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.

Step 3: Stir in the garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Cook for about 2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 4: Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef absorbs some of the sauce, about 7 minutes.

Step 5: Stir in half of the chopped green onions and mix well.

Step 6: Serve the beef mixture over the hot cooked brown rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and the remaining green onions.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories 574
Total Fat 19g (24%)
Saturated Fat 6g (31%)
Cholesterol 74mg (25%)
Sodium 1142mg (50%)
Total Carbohydrate 70g (26%)
Dietary Fiber 5g (16%)
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 29g (58%)
Vitamin C 6mg (6%)
Calcium 72mg (6%)
Iron 7mg (41%)
Potassium 589mg (13%)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Easy Korean Beef Bowl Recipe

FAQ about Easy Korean Beef Bowl Recipe

Leftover Korean Beef Bowl can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving. If you're using rice, it's best to store the beef and rice separately to preserve the texture of both.

Yes, you can freeze the cooked beef mixture for up to 3 months. Make sure to cool it completely before transferring it into a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a skillet or microwave. It's best to freeze the beef mixture alone, without the rice.

To increase the heat in the Korean Beef Bowl, you can add extra crushed red pepper flakes, a spoonful of Gochujang (Korean chili paste), or a dash of Sriracha sauce. You can also experiment with adding fresh chili peppers or using spicy soy sauce.

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with other proteins such as ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based ground meat for a vegetarian option. Just be mindful that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the protein used.

Yes, you can absolutely use brown rice instead of white rice. Brown rice adds more fiber and a nuttier flavor, and it pairs well with the savory beef mixture. Just ensure the rice is cooked before serving to avoid undercooked rice.

The sweetness in this dish comes from the light brown sugar. If you'd like a less sweet flavor, you can reduce the amount of sugar, or substitute with a sugar alternative like honey or coconut sugar. Taste the sauce before serving to make sure it’s to your liking.

Absolutely! You can add vegetables like sliced carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, or spinach to the dish. You can either stir them into the beef mixture or serve them on the side. Adding vegetables can help balance the richness of the beef.

If you don't have toasted sesame oil, you can use regular sesame oil or another neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil. However, toasted sesame oil has a distinct flavor that adds a nutty aroma to the dish, so substituting might slightly alter the taste.

The Easy Korean Beef Bowl takes about 10 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cook time, making it a quick and easy weeknight meal. The total time to prepare and cook is approximately 25 minutes.

Yes, you can use instant rice if you're looking to save time. Instant rice cooks very quickly, so it can help reduce overall cooking time. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the rice package for best results.

Comments

Brandon Martinez

12/29/2022 12:36:37 AM

I followed the recipe, but instead of serving it over rice, I turned it into an appetizer by wrapping it in lettuce leaves. Our guests absolutely enjoyed it. I would definitely make it again and serve it in the same way.

Justin Scott

08/21/2024 06:41:28 AM

We absolutely adored it! To enhance the flavor, I mixed in a quarter cup of Gochujang sauce with the soy sauce and swapped the red pepper flakes for a generous drizzle of Sriracha. I paired it with brown rice and steamed bok choy chunks, garnishing the bowls with diced cucumber, chopped cilantro, scallions, and sesame seeds.

Christine Thomas

05/09/2023 05:22:31 AM

I got creative with this recipe by adding diced carrots and cooked eggs to turn it into fried rice. It has the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors, making it incredibly delicious. Using day-old rice made it easy to heat up quickly by tossing it in the pan. I only made half of the recipe and substituted freeze-dried chives for fresh green onions, adding a bit of dried minced onion to enhance the flavor. I used less beef than the recipe called for to make it extra saucy, and when I mixed it with the rice, it turned out just perfect. Adding sesame oil at the end preserved its flavor, and I almost forgot the toasted sesame seeds, which added a wonderful final touch. This dish smelled amazing, and I couldn't wait to dig in. Definitely a winner!

Patrick Lee

07/19/2024 11:44:49 AM

Please avoid using a whole 1/3 cup of brown sugar at all costs. Initially, I hesitated, but eventually caved in, thinking I might be mistaken and that it would turn out fine. Alas, I was not mistaken. The dish turned out excessively sweet. It feels like it's been completely ruined. Even as someone with a sweet tooth who used to add a handful of sugar to a single bowl of chili, I must say that this is overwhelmingly sweet. Trust me, reduce the amount of brown sugar if you try this recipe. I'm genuinely concerned – less brown sugar is key. 🥺

Debra Hernandez

08/18/2024 12:24:33 AM

I absolutely adore this dish! Being a vegetarian, I substitute with plant-based ground beef crumbles. I love adding water chestnuts and wrapping it all in lettuce leaves. This recipe has become a staple in my meal rotation.

Dorothy Parker

02/28/2024 03:02:06 AM

Absolutely amazing! Such rich flavor in just a few simple ingredients!

Jacob Jackson

02/24/2025 01:31:23 AM

Yummy! We adjusted the recipe slightly to match our family's preferences. But, the serving sizes do seem a bit on the smaller side. The recipe, meant to serve 4, only satisfied 3 of us. To stretch it without having to double the recipe, consider adding some rice wine vinegar, extra soy sauce, or a splash of water.

Deborah Allen

08/07/2022 08:34:51 AM

Great recipe! I decided to add two tablespoons of gochujang to it, and the result was fantastic. I will definitely be making it again whenever I'm looking for a delicious meal to make with ground beef. The family approved, so it's a winner in our house!