Korean Ground Beef Bowl (Print version)
Savory-sweet Korean ground beef over steamed rice with fresh vegetables and sesame seeds. Ready in 25 minutes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meat
01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
→ Sauce
02 - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
03 - 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
04 - 2 tablespoons sesame oil
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
07 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
08 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
→ Vegetables & Garnish
09 - 4 spring onions, thinly sliced
10 - 1 medium carrot, julienned or shredded
11 - 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
12 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
→ Base
13 - 3 cups cooked white or brown rice
# How To Make It:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, and rice vinegar until the sugar dissolves.
03 - Pour the sauce over the browned beef and stir to combine. Let it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the beef to absorb the flavors. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - Divide the cooked rice among four serving bowls. Spoon the Korean beef over each portion of rice.
05 - Arrange shredded carrot, sliced cucumber, and spring onions over the beef. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately with extra chili flakes or sriracha on the side if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce is a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and a little heat that clings to every crumb of beef.
- It uses pantry staples you probably already have, which means no special grocery run on a tired weeknight.
- Cleanup is basically one pan and a bowl, and that is never something to complain about.
02 -
- Do not skip draining the excess fat after browning the beef or your sauce will be oily instead of silky.
- Letting the beef simmer uncovered in the sauce is what concentrates the flavor, so resist the urge to cover the pan.
03 -
- Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes instead of buying pre toasted ones, the freshness is immediately noticeable.
- Prep all your vegetable toppings while the beef browns so everything comes together in one smooth flow without any waiting.