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Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl

Korean ground beef bowl - featured image
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This Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl is a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner featuring savory-sweet ground beef, aromatic garlic and ginger, and a punchy Korean-inspired sauce. Ready in under 25 minutes, it’s perfect for busy nights and meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean preferred, but any will do)
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil (canola, vegetable, or avocado oil)
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1–2 tsp gochujang (Korean chili paste, or sriracha)
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 3 cups cooked jasmine or white rice (or brown rice)
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
  • 1 cup steamed broccoli or snap peas (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your rice and veggies: Cook 3 cups rice according to package instructions. Slice green onions, shred carrots, and steam broccoli or snap peas if using.
  2. Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, gochujang, sesame oil, and black pepper. Set aside.
  3. Brown the beef: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and cooked through (5-7 minutes).
  4. Add aromatics: Add minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the sauce: Whisk sauce again and pour over beef. Stir well and simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce bubbles and thickens. Add a splash of water if too dry.
  6. Taste and adjust: Taste and add more gochujang for heat or brown sugar for sweetness as desired.
  7. Build your bowls: Spoon rice into bowls, top with beef, then carrots, green onions, and sesame seeds. Add steamed veggies if desired.
  8. Garnish and serve: Drizzle with extra sesame oil or more green onions if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For a lower-carb version, use cauliflower rice. Substitute ground turkey, chicken, tofu, or tempeh for beef as needed. Adjust gochujang for spice level. If doubling, use a wide pan to ensure beef browns. Store leftovers in separate containers for up to 4 days in the fridge or freeze beef for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Korean ground beef, easy dinner, weeknight meal, beef bowl, meal prep, Asian recipe, quick dinner, rice bowl, gochujang, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/easy-korean-ground-beef-bowl-recipe-for-quick-weeknight-dinners/