Description
This Quick and Flavorful Korean Ground Beef Bowl is a simple, delicious dish that comes together in just 15 minutes. Ground beef seasoned with garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and a touch of spice is cooked quickly on the stovetop and served over warm rice. Garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, and customizable with optional toppings like shredded carrots, steamed broccoli, or a fried egg, this bowl captures the essence of Korean flavors with minimal effort—perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef:
- 1 lb ground beef (80-85% lean)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust for spice level)
For Serving:
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded carrots
- Steamed broccoli
- Fried egg
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat to get it ready for cooking the beef.
- Cook the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease to avoid sogginess.
- Add garlic: Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the minced garlic, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant, which enhances the flavor base.
- Mix in sauces and spices: Pour in the low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together to combine the flavors evenly.
- Simmer the mixture: Let the beef mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the sauce to thicken slightly and meld with the beef.
- Assemble the bowls: Scoop the flavorful beef mixture over warm cooked rice in serving bowls.
- Garnish: Sprinkle sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions on top to add texture and freshness.
- Add optional toppings: Enhance your bowl with optional shredded carrots, steamed broccoli, or a fried egg to introduce more flavor and variety in texture.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (80-85%) for a juicy, flavorful bowl without too much grease.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Brown sugar can be substituted with coconut sugar for a slightly different flavor profile.
- For a gluten-free option, replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- Cook rice ahead of time or use leftover rice to reduce prep time even further.
- Optional toppings like a fried egg add protein and richness to the dish.
