Description
This Korean Ground Beef Bowl is a quick, satisfying, and customizable meal, featuring savory ground beef seasoned with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil, served over fluffy rice. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, and can be topped or adapted with your favorite vegetables, kimchi, or a fried egg.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 for optimal flavor)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free option)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups cooked rice (jasmine, basmati, or brown rice)
Optional Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced cucumber
- Kimchi
- Pickled vegetables
Optional Ingredients
- Vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, or spinach)
- Egg (a fried egg on top for added richness)
Instructions
- Prepare the Rice: Rinse 1 cup of rice under cold water until the water runs clear. For stovetop, combine rinsed rice with 2 cups of water in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. For a rice cooker or Instant Pot, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for water-to-rice ratios and cooking times.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Use a spatula to break it up as it cooks, browning until it’s no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and ginger to the beef. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring to combine.
- Season the Beef: Stir in the soy sauce, sesame oil, and chopped green onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes so the flavors can meld together.
- Assemble the Bowl: Spoon a generous amount of cooked rice into your bowl. Top with the seasoned ground beef. If you’re using cooked vegetables (such as steamed broccoli or sautéed bell peppers), arrange them around or on top of the beef.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish the bowls with a sprinkle of sesame seeds, extra green onions, and any other desired toppings like kimchi, sliced cucumber, pickled vegetables, or a fried egg. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- This recipe works well with ground turkey or chicken as a beef substitute.
- Leftovers store and reheat well—perfect for meal prep.
- Add extra vegetables for more nutrition and color.
- Adjust spice and seasoning to taste. Add gochujang or sriracha for heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 730mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
