Quick & Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl – Better Than Takeout! Recipe
This Quick & Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl is a flavorful, savory dish perfect for a fast weeknight meal. Featuring tender ground beef simmered in a sweet and savory sauce with garlic, ginger, and sesame oil, it’s served over a bed of rice and can be topped with fresh vegetables and sesame seeds for added texture and freshness. Better than takeout, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower)
Optional Toppings
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Shredded carrots
- Cucumber slices
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat from the pan to keep the dish lean.
- Sauté Garlic and Ginger: Add the minced garlic and fresh ginger to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for about 1 minute until the mixture becomes fragrant, infusing the beef with aromatic flavors.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Mix well to combine all flavors thoroughly.
- Simmer the Mixture: Let everything simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes on medium-low heat. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and for the flavors to meld perfectly.
- Prepare to Serve: Spoon the hot beef mixture over your choice of cooked rice and garnish with optional toppings like chopped green onions, sesame seeds, shredded carrots, or cucumber slices for added freshness and crunch.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken if preferred for a lighter option.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the spiciness.
- Serve with steamed broccoli or a side salad for a complete meal.
- Cauliflower rice is a great low-carb alternative to traditional rice.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1 cup beef mixture with 1/2 cup cooked rice)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Korean ground beef bowl, quick Korean recipe, easy weeknight dinner, Korean beef, sesame beef bowl, ground beef recipe
