Name: Korean Beef Bowls
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 1/4 yellow onion (peeled & chopped); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 2 teaspoons fresh ginger (peeled & grated); 5 cups cooked brown rice; 1 teaspoon olive oil; 1 large zucchini (sliced); 1 red bell pepper (seeded & chopped); Green onions (sliced, for garnish); Sesame seeds (for garnish); 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce; 3 tablespoons brown sugar ((see note)); 2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine ((or dry sherry)); 3 tablespoons Gochujang (plus more for serving); 2 teaspoons sesame oil; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Jump to Recipe

These deliciously simple Korean Beef Bowls are packed with flavor, ready in just 30 minutes, and make for a perfect weeknight dinner.

Sweet, savory, and simple, these Korean Beef Bowls can be ready to serve in just 30 minutes! Cooked in a homemade Korean sauce and served with freshly stir-fried veggies, this easy dish will have the whole family enjoying something new together.

looking down at a korean beef bowl with recipe name at the bottom

HUGE FLAVOR, LOW COST

You may not initially think of ground beef when you’re picturing a delicious Korean Beef Bowl, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! This recipe is giant in flavor thanks to a delicious, homemade Korean sauce, but it’s also budget-friendly. It’s also a great way to get your kids to try something new!

If you want more simple, delicious, and cost-effective recipes, try Chicken Lettuce Wraps or Egg Roll in a Bowl!

OTHER RECIPES TO SERVE WITH KOREAN BEEF BOWLS

Wonton Soup – This simple soup is great as a side or the main course!
Crab Rangoon – Crispy, creamy, and addicting Crab Rangoon is great to snack on before or after dinner.
Bubble Tea – Sweet, refreshing, and fun, you’ll love this homemade Bubble Tea.

INGREDIENTS

Beef: This recipe is used simply to work with budget friendly ground beef. You could consider using bulgogi beef to make a more authentic Korean Beef Bowl.

Sauce: This Korean sauce is made from a mix of common ingredients and some you may need to pick up. Chances are you have soy sauce, brown sugar, black pepper, and cornstarch. You may need to take a trip to the market to pick up Chinese rice wine, sesame oil, and the most important ingredient- Gochujang.

Stir Fry: I made a super simple stir fry of zucchini and red bell peppers, but you can use as many different veggies as you want!

Rice: 4-5 cups of cooked rice will yield four beef bowls. I use brown rice, but you can use white rice.

Garnish: To finish, top your bowl with sliced green onion and sesame seeds. Add more gochujang to taste if you want to add a little heat.

HOW TO MAKE KOREAN BEEF BOWLS

STEP ONE: Start by making this tasty Korean sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup of low sodium soy sauce, 2-3 tablespoons of brown sugar, two tablespoons of Chinese rice wine, 2-3 tablespoons of Gochujang, two tablespoons of sesame oil, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper and two teaspoons of cornstarch. Set the sauce aside.

korean beef sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl

STEP TWO: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound of lean ground beef and 1/4 cup of chopped onion until the meat is browned and the onions are tender. Then, add three cloves of minced garlic and two teaspoons of freshly grated ginger. Sauté the beef for 30 seconds and then drain any excess fat.

cooked ground beef and onions in a skillet with garlic and ginger added in

STEP THREE: Add the homemade Korean sauce to the beef and bring the contents of the skillet to a boil. Reduce to a simmer for 5-10 minutes or until the sauce has reduced and thickened. Once finished, remove the beef from the skillet, leaving the sauce and scrapings in the pan.

cooked korean beef in a skillet with a rubber spatula

STEP FOUR: Add one teaspoon of olive oil to the same skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. Add one sliced, large zucchini and chopped red bell pepper and stir fry them for 2-3 minutes or until they reach the desired tenderness.

stir fried zucchini and red bell pepper in a skillet

STEP FIVE: Layer the Korean beef and stir-fried veggies over a rice bowl and enjoy!

korean beef and stir fried veggies served over cooked brown rice in a bowl

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

After you reduce the sauce, do a taste test. Add more chili paste if you prefer spicier beef or brown sugar if you prefer it sweeter.
Use three tablespoons of brown sugar in your sauce if you’re using three tablespoons Gochujang or two tablespoons of brown sugar if using two tablespoons Gochujang.

two bowls of korean beef over broth rice with veggies

WHAT IS GOCHUJANG?

Gochujang is the sweet heat behind Korean dishes; its distinctly wonderful flavor can only be found in Korean cuisine. Gochujang is savory, sweet, and spicy all at the same time, leaning more towards the sweet. It is made from red chilies, sticky rice, and soybeans. It’s both complex in flavor and milder in the heat than other chili pastes. This flavor balance makes it perfect for elevating meat or veggies. So while you might buy Gochujang specifically for these bowls, I can guarantee you will reach for this flavor-bursting condiment to dress up practically everything.

HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT KOREAN BEEF BOWLS

As is this recipe wasn’t already super easy and convenient, I’m here to tell you that the leftovers are great too! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When ready to reheat, place the leftover in the microwave. Pro-tip: I love to make a batch of this Korean beef, stir fry veggies, and portion it out for lunches later in the week. I keep it super simple by using microwave rice bowls each time to keep the meal tasting fresh.

chopsticks getting a bite of korean beef from the bowl

OTHER ASIAN INSPIRED FLAVORS

*This post was originally posted on 03/07/2017.