Korean Ground Beef Bowl is a quick and incredibly flavorful weeknight meal that’s perfect for busy evenings. This recipe simplifies classic Korean flavors into an accessible and satisfying dish everyone will adore.
Key Ingredients for Korean Ground Beef Bowl:
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste) – adjust to your spice preference
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooked rice, for serving
- Optional toppings: sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, a fried egg, kimchi, shredded carrots, cucumber ribbons
How to Make Korean Ground Beef Bowl:
This Korean Ground Beef Bowl recipe is your ticket to a delicious, satisfying, and incredibly easy meal. In under 30 minutes, you’ll transform simple ingredients into a flavorful symphony that’s leagues beyond takeout. The tender ground beef, coated in a savory-sweet and gently spicy sauce, creates a rich texture that’s perfectly complemented by fluffy rice and your favorite vibrant toppings. Get ready for a culinary win!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Infuse the Oil: Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. This initial step infuses the cooking oil with the nutty aroma of sesame, which is crucial for authentic Korean flavors.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the hot skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet to ensure a cleaner sauce and a less heavy final dish.
- Whisk the Sauce: While the beef is browning, in a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, packed light brown sugar, rice vinegar, gochujang, minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper. Ensure the brown sugar is fully dissolved and the gochujang is well incorporated, creating a uniform, rich sauce.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour the prepared sauce directly over the browned ground beef in the skillet. Stir everything together to coat the beef evenly. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld beautifully with the beef. The aroma should be intoxicating!
- Serve: Spoon the hot Korean Ground Beef mixture over servings of fluffy, cooked rice in bowls.
- Garnish (Optional but Recommended!): Now comes the fun part! Generously top your Korean Ground Beef Bowls with your chosen garnishes. Sliced green onions add a fresh, mild onion bite, toasted sesame seeds provide a delightful crunch and additional nutty flavor, and a perfectly fried egg with its luscious, runny yolk is pure indulgence. Kimchi offers a tangy, spicy, fermented counterpoint, while shredded carrots and cucumber ribbons add a refreshing crunch and vibrant color.
Why You’ll Love This Korean Ground Beef Bowl:
You’ll absolutely fall in love with this Korean Ground Beef Bowl because it is a flavor explosion wrapped in an incredibly simple package. The star is the tender ground beef coated in that irresistible sweet, savory, and slightly spicy sauce made with soy sauce, brown sugar, and a touch of gochujang – it’s pure comfort food magic, reminiscent of beloved Korean flavors but a fraction of the cost and time of restaurant versions. Plus, the adaptable nature of the toppings allows you to customize every bite, making it a uniquely satisfying meal that you’ll be craving all week. Give this easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl a try; your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Properly storing and reheating your Korean Ground Beef Bowl will ensure you can enjoy its delicious flavor for days to come.
- Refrigeration: Allow any leftover Korean Ground Beef Bowl mixture to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer the beef and sauce mixture into an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the cooked rice separate if possible for the best texture upon reheating.
- Reheating:
- Stovetop: The best method for reheating is on the stovetop. Place the cooled mixture in a skillet over medium heat. Stir gently as it heats through, adding a tablespoon or two of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much. Reheat until piping hot. Serve over freshly prepared or reheated rice.
- Microwave: For a quicker option, place the beef and sauce mixture in a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely and microwave on high power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Be careful not to overheat, which can make the beef dry.
- Freezing: If you’d like to freeze it for future meals, cool the beef and sauce mixture completely. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, squeezing out as much air as possible. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Thawing Frozen Leftovers: Thaw frozen Korean Ground Beef Bowl overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, reheat as per the stovetop or microwave instructions above.
Final Thoughts:
This Korean Ground Beef Bowl is a weeknight warrior, proving that incredible flavor doesn’t need to be complicated. We encourage you to whip up this simple yet sensational dish – it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will become a fast favorite in your recipe rotation.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Korean Ground Beef Bowl
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. This initial step infuses the cooking oil with the nutty aroma of sesame, which is crucial for authentic Korean flavors.2 tablespoons sesame oil
- Add the ground beef to the hot skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet to ensure a cleaner sauce and a less heavy final dish.1 pound lean ground beef
- While the beef is browning, in a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, packed light brown sugar, rice vinegar, gochujang, minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper. Ensure the brown sugar is fully dissolved and the gochujang is well incorporated, creating a uniform, rich sauce.1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste), 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pour the prepared sauce directly over the browned ground beef in the skillet. Stir everything together to coat the beef evenly. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld beautifully with the beef. The aroma should be intoxicating!
- Spoon the hot Korean Ground Beef mixture over servings of fluffy, cooked rice in bowls.Cooked rice
- Generously top your Korean Ground Beef Bowls with your chosen garnishes. Sliced green onions add a fresh, mild onion bite, toasted sesame seeds provide a delightful crunch and additional nutty flavor, and a perfectly fried egg with its luscious, runny yolk is pure indulgence. Kimchi offers a tangy, spicy, fermented counterpoint, while shredded carrots and cucumber ribbons add a refreshing crunch and vibrant color.sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, a fried egg, kimchi, shredded carrots, cucumber ribbons