Easy Korean Ground Beef & Rice Bowl with Traditional Flavors

Looking for a way to use ground beef that is out of the norm?  This Korean Inspired Ground Beef Bowl is the perfect quick-fix! It’s an easy 30-Minute family dinner full of flavor. The garlic, ginger, sesame, and soy sauce bring a pop of Asian spices to your beef that’s unmatched. Serve over a steaming bowl of rice for a traditional Korean comfort dish.

Often times when we are in a rush to make a weeknight dinner after a long tiring day at work, we turn to ground meat as the main source of protein. It’s easy to cook, hard to mess up, and can be utilized in several different ways.

The thing is, we end up getting stuck in these dinner cycles, using ground beef for the same lackluster meals over and over, which is just… boring. Casseroles, spaghetti, meatloaf, and tacos are great, don’t get me wrong, but when you have 57 Taco Tuesdays in a row, it loses its appeal. If you’ve hit that wall and are looking for new and exciting ground beef dinner recipes that are out of the norm, this Korean beef bowl is just the thing to spice up your weekly go-to meals!

It’s a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal that only takes 30-Minutes to make from fridge to table.  You’ll find all the traditional Asian flavors here – ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil – but with ground beef instead of thinly sliced steak or ribeye. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that you can whip up in just 30 minutes!  Once it’s all done cooking up, you’ll have a hearty bowl of goodness ready for your hungry family to eat!

What Is Korean Beef?

Traditional Korean beef is made with thinly sliced steak, usually, ribeye that is marinated in a soy-based marinade with brown sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and Gochujang. It is melt in your mouth delicious. But, it is also temperamental as it gets overcooked easily and can become tough and chewy in a second. 

The nice thing about this Korean bowl using ground beef is that it’s an easy, foolproof way to get the same flavors in less time with less stress.

Equipment You’ll Need To Make Your Korean Bowl

This is a two-pot recipe. All you need is a saucepan to cook your rice in and a large skillet for your ground beef! Did someone say easy clean up!

Ingredients For Your Korean Ground Beef & Rice Bowl

Korean Ground Beef

• lean ground beef
• sesame seed oil
• garlic
• water
• brown sugar
• lite soy sauce
• ground ginger
• salt
• black pepper
• crushed red pepper
• corn starch
• green onions

Rice

• Jasmine Rice
• Water
• Salt

How To Make A Korean Beef Bowl With Ground Beef & Rice

1. In a medium pot over medium-high heat, add jasmine rice and water. Bring to a boil and add in salt. Lower to a simmer and cover. Cook until the water is absorbed, about 18 minutes.
2. Add water, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper, and corn starch in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk together until well combined and set aside.
3. While rice is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once at temperature, add sesame seed oil and garlic. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add ground beef and cook until completely browned. About 4-5 minutes; remove from heat and drain off excess fat.
4. Add back to heat and stir in soy sauce mixture to your skillet and continue to cook, stirring until the sauce thickens. About 2-3 minutes.
5. Serve Immediately over rice and garnish with green onions. Enjoy!

What To Serve With A Korean Beef Bowl

Traditional Korean bowls are served with white rice. You can also serve this bowl with cooked Asian noodles, cauliflower rice, or even over a salad for an alternative take. You can also add vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, shredded cabbage, or carrots to make this bowl even heartier. For dessert go with an easy apple crisp or no-bake cheesecake!

Korean Beef Bowl FAQ’s

What Is The Best Rice To Use?

Jasmine rice is the best rice to use for this recipe. I prefer _____ brand of jasmine rice because _____. That being said, basmati, brown rice, or extra long grain white are also great options! Really, you can use any rice you have on hand.

Can I Make This Korean Bowl With Another Type Of Ground Meat?

If you’re on a low red meat diet, you can substitute ground turkey, pork, or lean chicken in place of the beef. The sauce will still be rich and flavorful due to all the added spices, so it’s a great way to switch things up!

Is This Korean Bowl Recipe Spicy?

This recipe is not spicy at all! The little crushed red pepper that is in it just adds flavor and depth – it does not make the dish spicy or hot! You can add more to your bowl if you want it spicier, but we like the subtle heat.

Can I Add Gochujang?

I left gochujang out of this recipe because not a lot of people have it in on hand, and I wanted this recipe to be a quick pantry staple dish. If you do have it on hand, by all means, add some in to taste.

What Is Gochujang?  Gochujang is a traditional Korean condiment and seasoning made from red chili, glutinous rice (also known as sticky rice), fermented soybeans, and salt. It adds an amazing umami flavor to any dish. It can be found at most Asian supermarkets or online. It’s really good so if you happen to be making a grocery run, then pick some up!

Can I Add Kimchi To This Korean Beef Bowl?

Kimchi would go great in this bowl! If you have some on hand, take it out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before you begin cooking and let it come to room temp. Add to the side of the beef bowl and serve!

More Asian Inspired Recipes

• The Best Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
• Bang Bang Chicken
• Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken
• Egg Roll In A Bowl
• Thai Peanut Noodles

Have you tried this recipe?

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