Korean Beef and Rice Bowl
The Korean Beef and Rice Bowl is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender ground beef seasoned with a savory, slightly sweet Korean-inspired sauce. Served over steamed rice, this comforting bowl is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami flavors with minimal effort and simple ingredients.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using tamari or coconut aminos)
Beef and Sauce Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
To Serve
- 3 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Optional: toasted sesame seeds for garnish
- Prepare Your Rice: Cook white or brown rice according to package instructions until fluffy and set aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Add Aromatics and Sauce: Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef evenly.
- Garnish and Assemble: Spoon the beef mixture over a bowl of steamed rice. Top with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired for added freshness and crunch.
Notes
- Use fresh ginger for a bright, authentic flavor.
- Don’t skip the sesame oil; a small drizzle adds a toasty finish.
- Adjust brown sugar to balance the saltiness to your taste.
- Cooking beef on high heat seals in juices and creates flavorful browned bits.
- Let cooked beef rest off heat for a minute to meld flavors before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Korean beef bowl, quick dinner, ground beef recipe, Korean-inspired, rice bowl, weeknight meals, easy Korean recipe, gluten-free dinner