Description
This Korean Ground Beef Bowl is a quick and flavorful dish combining savory ground beef cooked with garlic and a sweet-savory sauce made from brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger. Served over steamed rice and topped with fresh green onions and sesame seeds, it’s a perfect easy meal packed with umami flavors and subtle heat from red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
Other
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare and add the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ground ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Pour this sauce over the cooked beef in the skillet and stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Simmer the mixture: Let the beef and sauce simmer together for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the meat evenly.
- Season: Taste and adjust seasoning by adding salt and pepper as needed for balance.
- Serve: Spoon the flavorful ground beef mixture over warm cooked rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a delicious finishing touch. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to your preference.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or kimchi for a more complete meal.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated easily on the stovetop or microwave.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
