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Quick Korean Beef Bowl

Featured in: Quick and Satisfying Dinner Solutions for Busy Weeknights

Turn simple ground beef into a flavorful 20-minute meal with this Korean beef bowl. Sauté the meat with garlic, scallions, and ginger, then smother it in a rich soy-based sauce with honey and sesame oil. Add crisp veggies and quick-pickled carrots and cucumbers for a bright, tangy twist. Pile it all on warm rice for a sweet, spicy, and savory dinner. Great for meal prep or freezing if you’ve got leftovers!
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Updated on Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:51:38 GMT
Korean Beef Bowl Pin it
Korean Beef Bowl | yummygusto.com

A classic Korean Beef Bowl that brings authentic Asian flavors straight to your table. This recipe transforms everyday ground beef into a richly seasoned dish, featuring the perfect harmony of soy sauce, fresh garlic, and ginger. Served over hot rice with tangy pickled vegetables, it creates a complete meal that delivers restaurant-quality taste with home cooking simplicity.

This recipe emerged from the need to create satisfying Asian-inspired meals using readily available ingredients. It has since become a reliable staple for creating authentic Korean flavors at home.

Key Ingredients Guide

  • Ground Beef: Select 93% lean beef for optimal flavor without excess fat. Look for fresh, vibrant red meat.
  • Ginger Root: Choose firm, unblemished pieces. Fresh ginger provides essential aromatic notes.
  • Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Traditional brewed varieties offer the best depth of flavor.
  • Toasted Sesame Oil: Essential for authentic Korean taste. Use sparingly for best results.
  • Scallions: Select bright green stalks with firm white bases.
  • Rice Vinegar: Plain, unseasoned variety allows better seasoning control.

Cooking Method

Step 1: Quick Pickle Preparation
Cut vegetables into thin, uniform slices. Heat pickling solution until sugar dissolves completely. Cover vegetables with warm liquid, ensuring full submersion. Let pickle during meal preparation.
Step 2: Beef Preparation
Heat pan until properly hot. Add beef in single layer, allowing initial browning before breaking apart. Use wooden utensil to create uniform pieces. Cook until fully browned.

The versatility of this recipe allows for numerous variations. Adding mushrooms enhances umami, while fresh spinach increases nutritional value. A fried egg topping creates an extra layer of richness that makes the dish even more satisfying.

Flavoful Korean Beef Bowl Pin it
Flavoful Korean Beef Bowl | yummygusto.com

Sauce Perfection

Proper sauce preparation elevates this dish. Add honey as the final ingredient to prevent caramelization, and finish with sesame oil off heat to maintain its delicate flavors.

Quick Pickling Guide

The pickled vegetable component provides essential contrast. Cucumber, carrot, and radish create the ideal texture and flavor balance against the savory meat.

Bowl Assembly

Successful assembly requires careful attention to contrasting elements: hot beef, cool pickles, fresh herbs, and crunchy toppings all work together to create a balanced dish.

Customization Options

The basic recipe welcomes creative additions. Fresh herbs, different vegetables, or varying spice levels can adapt the dish to personal taste preferences.

Close-up Korean Beef Bowl Recipe Pin it
Close-up Korean Beef Bowl Recipe | yummygusto.com

This Korean Beef Bowl exemplifies how simple ingredients can create extraordinary meals. The combination of seasoned meat, fresh vegetables, and aromatic components delivers restaurant-quality results in a practical home cooking format.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s the best type of rice for this recipe?
You can use cauliflower rice for fewer carbs or brown rice for extra fiber. White rice and quinoa work perfectly too—it’s all personal preference!
→ Do you have to pickle the veggies?
No, but a quick pickle adds a burst of tang that elevates the dish! You can do it while the beef cooks—it’s super fast.
→ How can I make it spicier?
Toss in extra red pepper flakes while cooking or serve with sriracha or Korean chili flakes (gochugaru) for an extra kick.
→ What’s the best method for meal prepping?
Keep the rice, beef, and toppings separate. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months for easy reheat meals.
→ Could I swap out the ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground chicken or turkey makes a great lighter option. Just brown it thoroughly and adjust seasonings as needed.

Quick Korean Beef Bowl

This dish brings together flavorful ground beef in a slightly sweet and salty sauce, all served on rice with fresh toppings and a tangy veggie crunch.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes
By: Sandra

Category: Weeknight Dinners

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Korean

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Preparing the Beef

01 1 pound of extra-lean ground beef (93% lean)
02 3 tablespoons of reduced-sodium soy sauce, with more if needed
03 1 1/4 cups of finely chopped green onions (around 1 small bunch)
04 1 tablespoon of chopped garlic (approximately 3 cloves)
05 2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar
06 2 tablespoons of honey
07 2 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger
08 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, with extra if desired
09 1 tablespoon of sesame oil with extra for taste, if needed

→ Toppings and Sides

10 Cooked rice (brown), quinoa, or cauliflower rice
11 1 1/2 cups of grated carrot
12 Thinly cut cucumbers without seeds (Persian or English type)
13 Roasted sesame seeds

→ Quick Pickling (Optional Step)

14 2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar
15 2 tablespoons of water
16 1/2 a teaspoon of white sugar
17 1/2 a teaspoon of kosher salt

Instructions

Step 01

Mix sliced cucumbers and carrots together in a bowl along with water, rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Let them sit and soak while making the rest of the meal.

Step 02

In a large pan, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. During cooking, add a tablespoon of soy sauce and most of the green onions. Near the end, stir in the garlic and cook it briefly for about 30 seconds.

Step 03

As the beef cooks, mix the remaining soy sauce with rice vinegar, honey, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.

Step 04

Pour the mixed sauce into the pan with the beef. Let it cook for another two minutes, then take the pan off the heat. Mix in sesame oil and sprinkle the leftover green onions on top. Adjust flavors to your liking.

Step 05

Serve the hot beef mixture over rice or other chosen base, garnished with fresh cucumber slices, sesame seeds, and the pickled veggies if prepared.

Notes

  1. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months.
  2. Warm leftovers in a skillet on low-medium heat or use a microwave.
  3. For tastiest results, pickle the veggies as you're cooking the beef.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pan for cooking
  • Small bowl for mixing ingredients
  • Medium-sized bowl for pickling
  • Measuring tools like spoons and cups

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes soy ingredients (soy sauce)
  • Includes sesame (contained in sesame oil and seeds)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 303
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 17 g
  • Protein: 24 g