✨ Description
This Korean Ground Beef Bowl is the ultimate weeknight meal — quick to make, packed with flavor, and made with pantry staples. Inspired by classic Korean bulgogi, this dish swaps thinly sliced beef for ground beef, keeping all the sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors while slashing the prep time to just 20 minutes.
Served over fluffy white rice and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, this comforting bowl hits all the right notes: rich umami, a hint of sweetness, and a gentle kick of heat. It's budget-friendly, family-approved, and incredibly customizable — add sautéed veggies, a fried egg, or even switch up the protein for endless variety.
📝 Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Beef:
- 1 pound ground beef (85/15 or leaner)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (or ½ teaspoon ground ginger)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (plus more for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Serving:
- 2 cups cooked white rice (or brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Sautéed veggies (optional: carrots, zucchini, spinach, mushrooms)
- Fried egg (optional, for topping)
👨🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Brown the beef
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spatula. Drain excess grease if needed.
Step 2: Add flavor
Reduce heat to medium. Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 3–4 more minutes until beef is evenly coated and sauce has slightly thickened. Add green onions and stir.
Step 3: Serve
Spoon the beef mixture over bowls of warm rice. Garnish with more green onions and sesame seeds. Top with sautéed veggies or a fried egg for extra flavor and texture.
🍽 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approx.)
- Calories: 430
- Protein: 24g
- Fat: 23g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Sugar: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 780mg
🔥 Tips & Tricks
- Make it spicy: Add Gochujang (Korean chili paste) or extra red pepper flakes.
- Use different proteins: Ground turkey, chicken, or pork work just as well.
- Add crunch: Top with kimchi or shredded carrots for texture.
- Meal prep ready: Doubles easily and reheats great for lunches.
- Low carb option: Serve over cauliflower rice or in lettuce wraps.
💡 My Special Touch
I like to sauté julienned carrots and zucchini in sesame oil and add them to the bowl for extra nutrition and color. For an even more authentic flavor, finish the beef with a splash of rice vinegar or a few drops of fish sauce — it adds a little umami magic that really makes the flavors pop.
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