Quick & Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl – Better Than Takeout
This Korean Beef Bowl is a 20-minute, flavor-packed meal with savory-sweet ground beef, fresh veggies, and a garlicky sesame sauce served over rice. Perfect for weeknights, it’s easy, healthy, and customizable for the whole family.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Korean-Inspired
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
For the sauce:
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
1 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp minced ginger
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (adjust to taste)
For the beef and assembly:
1 lb lean ground beef
3 cups cooked white or brown rice (about 1 cup uncooked)
1 large carrot, shredded
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
Sesame seeds and chopped peanuts (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart, until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Pour sauce mixture over the beef. Stir and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened and beef is coated.
- To serve, divide rice into bowls, top with beef, and garnish with carrot, green onion, cucumber, sesame seeds, and peanuts if desired.
Notes
- For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Make it spicier with gochujang, sriracha, or extra red pepper flakes.
- Use cauliflower rice or quinoa for a lighter base.
- Prep ahead by cooking the beef mixture and reheating when ready to assemble bowls.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
