Description
Korean Ground Beef Bowl: Quick, easy, and bursting with flavor. Get this satisfying comfort food on your table tonight, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Bowl Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 2 cups cooked rice (jasmine or brown)
- Sauce Essentials:
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
- Garnish & Serve:
- 3–4 green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Optional Flavor Boosters:
- Fried eggs
- Kimchi
- Quick-pickled cucumbers
- Sriracha or gochujang for extra heat
Instructions
- Whisk Up the Sauce:: Alright, first things first, let’s get that sauce together. In a small bowl, whisk your soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Give it a good whisk until that sugar dissolves. Honestly, this is where the magic starts. I always take a little sniff—it just smells so promising! Sometimes I’m impatient and don’t whisk enough, then I find little sugar clumps later. Oops!
- Brown the Beef:: Now, grab your biggest skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground beef. Break it up with a spoon, you know the drill. Cook it until it’s all browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess fat, because nobody wants a greasy Korean Ground Beef Bowl. I once forgot to drain it, and the sauce just kind of floated on top. Not ideal, hon!
- Add the Sauce:: Once the beef is beautifully browned, pour that glorious sauce right over it. Oh, the sizzle! The smell that fills your kitchen at this point is just incredible. Stir it all together, making sure every bit of beef is coated in that savory-sweet goodness. Let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes, just until the sauce thickens slightly and really clings to the meat. This is where the flavors really come alive!
- Prepare Your Rice:: While the beef is doing its thing, make sure your rice is ready. Fluffy, warm rice is the perfect bed for this deliciousness. I always make extra rice because, let’s be real, leftovers are a gift. This is where I sometimes forget to salt the water for my rice, and then it’s just… plain. Don’t be like me, remember the salt!
- Assemble Your Bowl:: Time to build your masterpiece! Scoop a generous serving of that warm rice into a bowl. Then, pile on a hearty portion of your Korean Ground Beef. I like to make a little well in the middle for the beef, it just looks prettier, you know? This is the fun part, where you see all your hard work come together.
- Garnish and Serve:: Now for the finishing touches! Sprinkle generously with sliced green onions and a good handful of toasted sesame seeds. If you’re feeling extra, a fried egg on top with a runny yolk? Absolutely divine. Serve immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up. Honestly, it’s such a simple dish but it always gets rave reviews!