Description
This Korean Beef Bowl recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish featuring flavorful ground beef simmered in a savory, slightly sweet sauce with a touch of spice, served over brown rice and topped with fresh cucumbers, gochujang sauce, sesame seeds, and scallions. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines traditional Korean flavors with simple ingredients and minimal prep time.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce*
- 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons water
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound 93% lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 garlic cloves (crushed)
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- Cooking spray
To Serve
- 3 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 small sliced cucumber (skin on)
- 2 tablespoons Gochujang Sauce (or more if desired*)
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 sliced scallions (white and green parts)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the low sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons water, light brown sugar, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is well blended.
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large deep nonstick skillet over high heat. Spray the skillet with cooking spray, then add the ground beef. Cook the beef while breaking it up with a wooden spoon until fully browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: Add the chopped yellow onion, crushed garlic cloves, and freshly grated ginger to the skillet with the beef. Stir and cook the mixture for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer with Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and onion mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide 3/4 cup of cooked brown rice into each of four bowls. Top each with approximately 2/3 cup of the savory Korean beef mixture. Garnish with sliced cucumbers, a dollop of gochujang sauce, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and sliced scallions (both white and green parts).
Notes
- Check labels for gluten-free soy sauce if needed.
- Protein Variations: Swap ground beef for lean ground turkey, pork, chicken, or for vegetarian options, use crumbled tofu, beyond beef, or impossible burger.
- Extra Protein: Add a fried egg on top of each bowl for more protein.
- Vegetable Add-ins: Sauteed mushrooms, bok choy, matchstick carrots, or edamame can be added to the beef mixture or served on the side.
- Pickled Veggies: Add pickled onions, cucumbers, carrots, or kimchi for extra flavor and texture.
- Spice it Up: Garnish with sliced fresh jalapeños for additional heat.
- Rice Alternatives: Use cauliflower rice or vegetable rice for a lower carbohydrate option.
- Lettuce Wraps: Instead of serving over rice, use the beef mixture as a filling for lettuce wraps.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
