Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Korean Beef Bowls are a savory and flavorful dish packed with tender beef, aromatic spices, and a delicious sauce. With its balance of sweet, salty, and spicy notes, this dish offers a satisfying and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. It’s a great way to enjoy Korean-inspired flavors at home without the need for complicated ingredients or techniques.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for extra spice)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Cooked rice (for serving)
- Kimchi (optional, for serving)
Directions
- Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, gochujang, red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and taste, adjusting the seasoning if necessary (add more soy sauce for saltiness or more gochujang for heat).
- To serve, spoon the beef mixture over a bowl of cooked rice. Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and a side of kimchi, if desired.
Servings and Timing
This recipe yields 4 servings.
- Preparation time: 5 minutes
- Cooking time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Add sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or spinach to make the dish even more nutritious.
- Use ground chicken or turkey for a leaner version.
- Substitute gochujang with a mild chili paste or sriracha if you prefer a less spicy version.
- For extra crunch, serve the beef over crispy rice or with a side of pickled vegetables.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it up in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe with a different type of meat? Yes, you can use ground chicken, pork, or turkey in place of beef for a different variation.
Is this dish very spicy? The heat level is moderate, but you can adjust the spiciness by adding less gochujang or omitting the red pepper flakes.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time? Yes, the sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just reheat it when ready to use.
Can I serve this with something other than rice? Yes, you can serve it with quinoa, noodles, or even lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
Conclusion
These Korean Beef Bowls are a simple yet flavorful meal that’s sure to impress anyone who loves bold, savory dishes. With a perfect balance of heat and sweetness, they are quick to prepare, making them an ideal dinner choice for busy evenings. Try it once, and it might just become a regular in your dinner rotation!
PrintDelicious Korean Beef Bowls You’ll Love
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Korean Beef Bowls are packed with savory, slightly sweet, and spicy flavors. Ground beef is seasoned with classic Korean ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar, then served over steamed rice and topped with fresh veggies. It’s a quick and delicious meal perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
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1 lb ground beef
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1 tablespoon olive oil (or sesame oil)
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1 small onion, diced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
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1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
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2 tablespoons brown sugar
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1 tablespoon rice vinegar
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1 teaspoon sesame oil
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1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
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1/2 cup water
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2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
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2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
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1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
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1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced (optional, for garnish)
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1/2 cup shredded carrots (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
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Heat olive oil (or sesame oil) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
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Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain any excess fat.
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Stir in the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes (if using), and water. Let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld together.
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To serve, place a portion of cooked rice in each bowl. Top with the seasoned ground beef mixture.
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Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, cucumber, and shredded carrots.
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Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
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For a spicy kick, you can add more red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha sauce.
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To make this dish even heartier, add a fried egg on top!
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You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken if preferred
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