Korean Beef Bowl Recipe [Video]

Korean Beef Bowls are super tasty made with ground beef and ready in 15 minutes. The perfect dinner meal that is definitely worth to be on your weekly menu!

This dish is so simple, easy and delicious, that is pretty much always on my rotation list. I like to rotate it between Shrimp Fried Rice, Chicken Fried Rice, and Lemon Garlic Scallops. 

Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowl

I love Asian dishes because they are flavorful and super easy to make. This dish is almost like making bulgogi, but faster. Because in this version I use ground beef instead of thinly sliced sirloin. 

Also, it is super affordable and can easily feed a larger family. You can make a larger batch and refrigerate as it stores really well. This way, you can enjoy it for the whole week. 

The meat takes only minutes to cook, and when combined with the rest of the ingredients, you end up with an authentic Korean flavored dish. The combination of brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and minced garlic makes this dish amazingly flavorful. I love to serve it over some white rice. It is simply the best!

WHAT IS A KOREAN GROUND BEEF BOWL?

This dish is basically a cheat replica of Korean beef bulgogi because it is easier and faster to make. It uses ground meat instead of sliced beef which saves a lot of cooking time. 

You end up with an authentic homemade Korean bowl at a fraction of the time! 

What goes into Korean Ground Beef Bowls?

To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• Vegetable oil – to brown the meat.
• Ground beef – feel free to use lean or extra lean type depending on your own preference. 
• Minced ginger – it adds a lot of flavors and it pairs very well with the beef. 
• Minced garlic
• Brown sugar
• Soy sauce – you can use regular or reduced-sodium versions. 
• Sesame oil 
• Red-pepper flakes
• Green onion for garnish
• Sesame seeds for garnish

How to make Korean Ground Beef Bowls?

1. Brown the meat: In a large skillet add some vegetable oil. Then, stir in the minced garlic and ginger and brown the meat for about 5 minutes. Drain excess grease. 
2. Make the sauce: In a separate bowl, prepare the sauce by mixing in the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Then, pour it over the beef and cook for about 2 more minutes until the sauce absorbs into the beef. 
3. Garnish: Lastly, chop the green onion and garnish along with sesame seeds. 
4. Serve: Enjoy it warm over some freshly cooked white rice.  

What temperature should ground beef be cooked to?

According to USDA it is safe to consumer ground beef when it reaches 160 degrees F. I recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. 

Can I make it with other meats?

Yes. This dish can be made with other proteins as well. 

• Chicken Korean Bowl – Is a great alternative and also super quick and easy to make. Add it to your dinner rotation. 
• Shrimp – You can substitute beef with shrimp, and follow the same steps as in this recipe. 
• Beef, pork, or tofu – Are also great alternatives. 

Can I make Korean Beef Bowl ahead?

Yes! This dish can be easily made in advance and refrigerated to consume during the week. Also, it makes a great lunch-box meal, so feel free to make a larger batch ahead to enjoy it during the week. 

Simply, transfer the dish to an airtight container. Then, store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Also, you can freeze it. Just use a freezer-safe container, and freeze it up to 3 months. 

Recipe Tips:

• I like to garnish it with green onion and sesame seed. However, feel free to rotate with thinly sliced raw English cucumber or chopped parsley. Even nuts work great as toppings. 
• For a spicier kick, add some extra red pepper flakes. Similarly, you can mix in some chopped chilies, jalapeno, etc. 
• Veggies can also be added to this recipe. For example, bell peppers, or broccoli would work great as well. 

Print

Korean Beef Bowls

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

20 mins

 

Korean Beef Bowls are super tasty made with ground beef and ready in 15 minutes. The perfect dinner meal that is definitely worth to be on your weekly menu!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: Korean Beef Bowls

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 552 kcal

Author: Catalina Castravet

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon ginger minced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
• 1/4 cup soy sauce reduced-sodium
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or more to taste
• 5 green onions
• 1/4 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together: brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil and red pepper flakes, set aside.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add fresh minced ginger and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.
4. Add ground beef and cook until browned without moving it, about 3-5 minutes. Break apart the meat as it cooks with a wooden spoon and cook it until no longer pink. Drain grease.
5. Cut the green part of the green onions into 2-inch pieces.
6. Add the soy sauce mixture and green onions into the meat and stir until well combined, allowing to simmer until heated through about 2 minutes.
7. Serve immediately over rice, garnished with sesame seeds.

Nutrition Facts

Korean Beef Bowls

Amount Per Serving

Calories 552 Calories from Fat 360

% Daily Value*

Fat 40g62%

Saturated Fat 16g100%

Cholesterol 121mg40%

Sodium 931mg40%

Potassium 562mg16%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 31g62%

Vitamin A 150IU3%

Vitamin C 4mg5%

Calcium 61mg6%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.