Korean Ground Beef Bowl (Printable)
Savory ground beef in sweet-spicy sauce with fresh toppings over steamed rice, ready in 25 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Main
01 - 1 pound lean ground beef
02 - 2 cups cooked jasmine or short-grain rice
→ Sauce
03 - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
04 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
05 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
08 - 1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, adjusted to taste
09 - 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste; optional)
→ Toppings
11 - 2 green onions, sliced
12 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
13 - 1 carrot, julienned
14 - 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
15 - Kimchi, for serving (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, rice vinegar, and gochujang if using. Set aside.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Pour the prepared sauce over the browned beef and stir well to combine. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and evenly coats the beef.
04 - Divide the cooked rice among 4 serving bowls. Spoon the saucy Korean ground beef mixture generously over each portion of rice.
05 - Top each bowl with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, julienned carrot, thinly sliced cucumber, and kimchi if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sweet and savory sauce caramelizes onto the beef in minutes and tastes like you spent far longer than you actually did.
- It is endlessly adaptable so you can use whatever vegetables or protein you have on hand.
- Cleanup is minimal since everything cooks in one skillet.
02 -
- Do not walk away while the sauce simmers because it can go from perfectly glossy to burnt and sticky in under a minute.
- Drain excess fat from the beef before adding the sauce or the whole dish will taste greasy instead of rich.
03 -
- Press the beef flat in the skillet and let it sear without stirring for the first two minutes so you develop deep caramelization.
- A squeeze of lime juice right before serving brightens everything and makes people wonder what your secret is.