Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl: Quick Weeknight Dinner (Print Version)
Korean Ground Beef Bowl: Easy & delicious! Whip up vibrant Korean flavors fast for a quick, satisfying meal. Your perfect weeknight dinner awaits.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Korean-Inspired
Dietary: Meat-lover, can be made gluten-free with tamari
# Ingredients:
→ Base Ingredients
01 -
1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
02 -
1/4 cup brown sugar
03 -
1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for GF)
04 -
1 tbsp sesame oil
→ Flavor Makers
05 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
06 -
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
07 -
1 tbsp rice vinegar
08 -
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
→ Serving Suggestions
09 -
Cooked rice, for serving
10 -
2 scallions, chopped, for garnish
11 -
1 tbsp sesame seeds, for garnish
→ Optional Freshness
12 -
Kimchi, for serving
13 -
Fried egg, for serving
# Instructions:
01 -
Alright, first things first! Grab a large skillet or a wok and get it nice and hot over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground beef. Break it up with a spoon, you know the drill. Keep stirring and breaking it down until it's all beautifully browned and cooked through, no pink left. This is where the magic starts! Sometimes I get impatient and don't break it up enough, then I have to go back in, so take your time here, it's worth it.
02 -
Now, depending on your beef, you might have some extra fat pooling in the pan. I usually drain off most of it, but I always leave just a tiny bit for flavor – don't be too aggressive, you want some of that richness! Once I forgot this step entirely and the sauce ended up a bit greasy, oops! So, a quick tilt and pour into a heat-safe jar or bowl is a smart move here.
03 -
Reduce the heat to medium. Add your minced garlic and grated ginger right into the beef. Oh, the smell! It's honestly one of my favorite kitchen aromas. Sauté for about 1 minute, just until fragrant, but don't let that garlic burn! I've burned garlic before, and it taints everything. Keep it moving, friend!
04 -
In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Give it a good swirl until the sugar mostly dissolves. This is where all those incredible Korean flavors come together. I sometimes taste it at this stage and adjust the red pepper flakes – if you like it spicy, go for it!
05 -
Pour that glorious sauce right over the beef mixture in the skillet. Stir it all together, making sure every bit of beef is coated. Bring it to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 3-5 minutes. You want the sauce to thicken slightly and really cling to the meat. It'll smell absolutely divine, I promise!
06 -
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the sesame oil – this is key for that authentic aroma! Give it a final taste; adjust anything if you need to. Serve this amazing Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl hot over fluffy cooked rice, then sprinkle generously with chopped scallions and sesame seeds. Sometimes I add a fried egg on top, because why not? It’s just so good, you won’t believe how simple it was!
# Notes:
01 -
Always use fresh garlic and ginger; the dried stuff just doesn't give this Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl the vibrant pop it needs.
02 -
Don't over-thicken the sauce; it should be glossy and cling to the beef, not turn into a paste. A gentle simmer is key!
03 -
Taste as you go! Seriously, everyone's palate is different. A little extra soy, a dash more sugar, or a pinch more flakes can make it perfect for *you*.
04 -
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop to prevent the sauce from separating, a lesson I learned the hard way!
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Large skillet or wok
02 -
small mixing bowl
03 -
whisk
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 450
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 25g