Korean Beef Bowl

Our easy Korean Beef Bowl recipe stands out not just for its delightful mix of flavors but also for how wonderfully simple it is to make. If you’ve had Bulgogi before, it’s quite similar but simpler, perfect for busy weeknights. It’s one of my go-to dishes when I don’t know what to make.

The secret of this dish is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. You’ve got lean ground beef, ginger, brown sugar, garlic, and a few other spices.

And trust me, once you cook it all together, you’ll have a dish that you’ll want to make again and again. And while you’ll find the leftover instructions down below, at my house, we don’t have th

Korean Beef Bowl recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Korean Beef Bowl Recipe Highlights

  • 30-Minute Meal
  • Pantry Staples
  • Perfect over rice, in lettuce wraps, or as a stand-alone dish.
  • Great meal prep option

Ingredient Notes

Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.

Ingredients for a Korean Beef Bowl on a marble countertop.

GROUND BEEF – Lean beef is preferred for its lower fat content, but choose what suits your taste.

BROWN SUGAR – Adds a subtle sweetness that balances the savory elements.

SOY SAUCE – The backbone of flavor, providing depth and saltiness.

SESAME OIL – Gives a nutty aroma and rich taste to the dish.

SRIRACHA SAUCE – Adjust this to control the heat level, making it perfect for all preferences.

GINGER AND GARLIC – These aromatics add a punch of flavor that’s essential to the dish’s character.

GREEN ONIONS AND SESAME SEEDS – Provide a fresh and toasty finish to the dish.

How To Make A Korean Beef Bowl

Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

A bowl of ingredients for Korean Beef Bowl sauce
Ground beef in skillet for Korean Beef Bowl
Adding ginger and garlic for Korean Beef Bowl
Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions for Korean Beef Bowl
  1. Whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sriracha sauce in a bowl until the sugar is dissolved.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and let it brown for a few minutes without stirring.
  3. Stir in ginger and garlic, then add the sauce mixture to the beef, cooking for a few minutes until the beef is thoroughly cooked.
  4. Add green onions, cook for a couple more minutes, then remove from heat.
  5. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the beef and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serving Suggestions

OVER RICE – The classic way to serve this dish is over a bed of steamed rice. The rice soaks up the flavorful sauce, making every bite a perfect balance of savory and sweet.

IN LETTUCE WRAPS – For a lighter, fresher option, spoon the beef into lettuce leaves. This method is great for a low-carb meal or a fun, hands-on dinner.

WITH VEGETABLES – Stir-frying vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas and serving them alongside or mixed into the beef bowl adds color, nutrition, and variety to your meal.

A spoonful of rice and meat.

Planning and Leftovers

STORE – To keep this dish tasting great, place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. This method is perfect for enjoying your meal as a quick lunch or dinner during the week.

FREEZE – This dish freezes really well, making it a fantastic option for meal prep. After allowing the beef to cool, transfer it to freezer-safe bags or containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, it’ll taste just as good as when it was first made.

REHEAT – Reheating is simple. You can use a microwave or a skillet over medium heat. If using a microwave, cover the dish and heat it in short intervals, stirring in between to ensure it heats evenly. In a skillet, add a splash of water to prevent it from drying out, stirring until it’s hot all the way through.

Korean Beef Bowl recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Recipe Success Tips

MEAT SELECTION – Opting for lean ground beef (90/10 or 96/4) ensures the dish is not overly greasy but still retains a lot of flavors. Ground turkey or chicken are great alternatives.

SAUCE ADJUSTMENTS – Taste the sauce before adding it to the beef. If you want more sweetness, add a little more brown sugar. For more heat, a bit more sriracha will do the trick. Adjusting the sauce to your liking makes the dish uniquely yours.

SERVING VARIETY – Don’t hesitate to switch up how you serve this dish. Trying new serving methods keeps the meal exciting and adaptable to various dining preferences or dietary needs.

A bowl of rice with meat and green onions.

More Easy and Delicious Ground Beef Recipes

TIKTOK SPAGHETTI – There’s a reason this recipe keeps going viral – it’s meaty, saucy, and cheesy. 🙂

FRIKADELLEN are German-style meat patties that are great for dinner or stuffed in a Kaiser roll with a bit of mustard. They are sort of like German burgers, sort of not. You’ve simply got to try them for yourself.

TACO CASSEROLE – It’s easy, it’s delicious, ‘nough said.

NEW YORK STRIP STEAK WITH GREEN BEANS AND MUSHROOMS

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Korean Beef Bowl

Author: Maike Corbett
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Serving Size 4
This meat dish typically features thinly sliced beef, but today, we're putting a twist on tradition with a ground beef bulgogi recipe that's sure to become a household favorite. Combining the rich flavors of soy sauce, sesame oil, and aromatic spices, this dish offers a harmonious fusion of Korean-inspired cuisine with the convenience of ground beef.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Whisk the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sriracha sauce in a small bowl until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat and add the ground beef, spreading it into an even layer. Allow the beef to cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Stir the ginger, minced garlic, and sauce into the meat mixture and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the green onions and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle sesame seeds over the top of the dish. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 245
Carbs: 9g
Fat: 11g
Protein: 26g

Nutritional Disclaimer

Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.

Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.

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