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These Easy Korean Beef Bowls are a flavorful dinner that come together in less than 30 minutes. Made with ground beef, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar or honey, all served over fluffy white rice.
Have you heard of the viral beef bowls popular on social media and TikTok? My college boys live on ground beef and rice and I have been creating some spicier and more flavorful versions that take boring ground beef and rice and elevate it!
My Mom always told me growing up, I can do a lot of things with a pound of ground beef! We ate ground beef 5 nights a week and mixing it up and making flavorful meals like these Asian ground beef bowls just make dinner a little more exciting…and delicious!
Why you will love this recipe:
- Fast & Weeknight-Friendly-Ready in 20 minutes with minimal prep.
- Very flavorful meal– Sweet, salty, garlicky, with a hint of spice.
- Family Favorite– Pairs perfectly with rice and veggies for a complete meal everyone loves.
Korean Ground Beef Bowl Ingredients:
- Ground Beef → The base of the dish! Very protein-packed. I love to use lean ground beef — 85/15.
- Garlic & Ginger → Fresh aromatics that give authentic Korean-inspired flavor.
- Soy Sauce → Adds salty, umami depth to the beef.
- Gochujang or Chili Garlic Sauce: Adds a deep, complex kick with a touch of umami. Chili garlic sauce is made with red chili flakes, garlic, vinegar, and salt. Both add a lot of flavor.
- Brown Sugar or Honey → Balances the saltiness with a touch of sweetness.
- Sesame Oil → Nutty and rich, essential for that signature flavor.
- Rice Vinegar → Brightens and balances the sauce with a bit of tang (if you use chili garlic sauce, you don’t need rice vinegar).
- Red Pepper Flakes → Adds optional heat, adjust to your spice preference.
- Rice → The perfect base to soak up all that flavorful sauce.
- Spicy Mayo: Kewpie mayo (or regular mayo) + sriracha sauce.
Toppings: Green Onions, Sesame Seeds, Shredded Carrots, Cucumber Slices, Fried Egg (optional)
Have you ever seen the frozen garlic cubes and ginger cubes at Trader Joe’s? I love to use them!
How to make Korean Beef and Rice Bowls:
- Cook the ground beef. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the beef, breaking it up as it browns.
- Add aromatics. Add garlic and ginger and cook 1 minute.
- Add sauce to ground beef. Stir in soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, gochujang sauce or chili garlic sauce, vinegar and red pepper flakes. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened slightly.
- Assemble the Korean Ground Beef Bowls. Serve over rice. Top with green onions, sesame seeds, cucumbers, carrots, and your favorite veggies.
- If topping with spicy mayo, stir together mayo and sriracha sauce. Drizzle on top of Korean beef bowls.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s):
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Yes! Both work well, though beef gives the richest flavor.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a mild kick from red pepper flakes, but you can easily adjust or omit them.
What should I serve with Korean beef bowls?
Steamed broccoli, snap peas, or a quick cucumber salad are all great pairings.
Can I meal prep this?
Absolutely! Store the beef and rice separately, then reheat and assemble when ready to eat.
Storage Tips!
Refrigerator: Store cooked beef in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooled beef mixture in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or soy sauce if it looks dry.
Sides to serve with Beef Bowls:
More favorite Asian-Inspired Dinner Recipes:
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Korean Beef Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Ground Beef (80/20, 85/15, or 93/7%)
- 3 Garlic Cloves (minced)
- 2 teaspoons Fresh Ginger (grated)
- 1/3 cup Soy Sauce
- 3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar (or honey)
- 1 Tablespoon Gochujang Paste (or 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce)
- 1 teaspoon Rice Vinegar (omit if using chili garlic sauce)
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes
Serve with:
- Cooked Rice
- 1 Hot House Cucumber (sliced
- 1-2 Carrots (julienned or shredded)
- 2 Green Onions (sliced)
- Optional: kimchi, sesame seeds, fried egg
Spicy Mayo:
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha
Instructions
- Cook the rice. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil, if desired. Add ground beef and cook the beef, breaking it up as it browns.
- Add garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute. Stir in soy sauce, brown sugar, optional 2 teaspoons of sesame oil, gochujang or chili garlic sauce, vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened slightly.
- Assemble the Korean beef bowls. Serve over rice. Place ground beef over rice. Top with green onions, carrots, and sliced cucumbers. Optional: kimchi, sesame seeds, and fried egg.
- If topping with spicy mayo, stir together mayo and sriracha sauce. Drizzle on top of bowls. May sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Notes
Yes! Both work well, though beef gives the richest flavor. For a quick shortcut, I buy the Dorot frozen ginger cubes and garlic cubes. You can find them at your local grocery store or Trader Joe’s in the frozen section. If using chili garlic sauce, you can omit the vinegar.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
