Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowls
A quick and comforting Korean-inspired ground beef bowl with a sweet and savory soy-based sauce, ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights and packed with bold flavors.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground beef (85% lean preferred)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated or jarred
- ⅓ cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 4 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Optional: shredded carrots, cucumber slices, or steamed broccoli
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to package instructions (about 15-20 minutes).
- In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes (if using), and vinegar. Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and no longer pink (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if desired.
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the beef. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the beef. Stir well to coat and cook for another 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Spoon cooked rice into bowls, top with the Korean ground beef, sliced green onions, and sesame seeds. Add optional veggies if desired.
Notes
Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure the beef browns properly. Stir sauce into beef off the heat for a minute or two to thicken without burning. Toast sesame seeds for extra flavor if time allows. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 of
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: Korean ground beef, quick dinner, easy Korean recipe, weeknight meal, Korean beef bowl, 15-minute dinner