Quick Korean Ground Beef Bowl: Better Than Takeout (Print Version)
Whip up a flavorful Quick Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl at home. This speedy recipe brings authentic taste and warmth, perfect for busy weeknights.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Korean
Dietary: High Protein
# Ingredients:
→ Main Bowl Ingredients
01 -
1 lb ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 lean)
02 -
White rice, for serving
→ Savory-Sweet Sauce
03 -
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
04 -
2 tbsp brown sugar
05 -
1 tbsp sesame oil
06 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
07 -
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
08 -
1-2 tsp gochujang (Korean chili paste, optional)
→ Fresh Finishes
09 -
2 green onions, thinly sliced
10 -
1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
→ Optional Add-ins
11 -
Fried egg, for serving
12 -
Kimchi or pickled daikon, for serving
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, get your garlic minced and your ginger grated. I usually do this while my pan is heating up, which means I'm often frantically chopping as the oil shimmers. Don't be like me, do it ahead! This is where all the wonderful smells start, that pungent garlic and zesty ginger, it just wakes up the kitchen, honestly.
02 -
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Cook until it’s beautifully browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat – this is a crucial step for me, as I once left too much and the sauce became a greasy mess. Oops! You want that beef to be flavorful, not swimming.
03 -
Once the beef is browned and drained, toss in your minced garlic and grated ginger. Sauté for just a minute, until they're fragrant. Oh, that smell! It’s like a little explosion of deliciousness. Be careful not to burn the garlic here; it goes from fragrant to bitter super fast, I've made that mistake too many times.
04 -
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and gochujang (if using). Give it a good whisk until the sugar is dissolved. This is where the magic happens, transforming simple ingredients into that irresistible Korean glaze for your Quick Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl.
05 -
Pour the sauce over the browned beef and stir well to coat every single piece. Bring it to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef beautifully. You'll see it get all glossy and wonderful, making the Quick Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl truly shine.
06 -
Ladle your glorious Korean ground beef over warm white rice. Sprinkle generously with sliced green onions and a handful of sesame seeds. The aroma alone is enough to make your stomach rumble! This is the moment you realize making this Quick Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl was so much better than waiting for takeout.
# Notes:
01 -
Don't overcook the beef; it gets tough fast. Keep an eye on it!
02 -
For easy meal prep, cook rice and beef separately and combine when ready to eat.
03 -
If you're out of brown sugar, honey or maple syrup work in a pinch, but might change the flavor slightly.
04 -
A fried egg on top is a game-changer; the runny yolk makes the sauce even richer.
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Large skillet or wok
02 -
small mixing bowl
03 -
whisk
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 450
Total Fat: 20g
Total Carbohydrate: 40g
Protein: 30g