Quick & Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl – Better Than Takeout Recipe
This Quick & Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl is a flavorful and comforting homemade take on a classic takeout favorite. Ready in just 20 minutes, it combines sweet, savory, and mildly spicy notes with lean ground beef, garlic, ginger, and a touch of sesame oil, served over warm rice. Perfect for a fast weeknight dinner, it’s versatile and pairs beautifully with fresh or sautéed vegetables, making it a balanced and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch & Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Marinade and Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Serving and Toppings
- 2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice for low-carb)
- Optional toppings: green onions, sesame seeds, shredded carrots, cucumber slices
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish lean and flavorful.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the minced garlic and fresh or ground ginger to the skillet and sauté for about one minute, until fragrant and aromatic.
- Add seasoning and simmer: Stir in the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Allow the mixture to simmer for 2–3 minutes so the flavors meld together beautifully.
- Serve and garnish: Spoon the hot Korean ground beef mixture over cooked rice and top with optional veggies like sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, green onions, and sesame seeds for added texture and freshness. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- For a low-carb version, substitute cauliflower rice for the cooked rice.
- Adjust heat by increasing or omitting the red pepper flakes or gochujang paste as desired.
- Try a fried egg on top for extra richness and protein.
- Using fresh garlic and ginger enhances the depth of flavor significantly.
- This recipe doubles well for meal prep and keeps up to 4 days refrigerated.
- For a vegan version, replace beef with crumbled tofu or plant-based ground meat and adjust soy sauce and sesame oil accordingly.
Keywords: Korean ground beef bowl, quick Korean recipe, easy dinner, beef bowl, stovetop korean beef, low fat Korean recipe, Korean food at home
