Description
This Korean Beef Bowl recipe is a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner featuring tender ground beef simmered in a savory, slightly sweet soy-based sauce with a hint of spice. Perfectly paired with rice or cauliflower rice and topped with fresh green onions and sesame seeds, it offers a satisfying meal in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef (lean or fatty based on preference)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- ¼ teaspoon sesame seeds
Optional Vegetables
- Chopped bell peppers
- Shredded carrots
- Mushrooms
- Broccoli florets
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, crushed red pepper flakes, and ground ginger until fully combined. Set this flavorful sauce aside for later use.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and stir continuously for 30 to 60 seconds, until it becomes fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spatula and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is nicely browned and cooked through. If there’s excess fat, carefully drain it from the skillet.
- Simmer with Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the beef. Stir to combine and let it simmer for about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the meat.
- Add Green Onions: Stir in most of the thinly sliced green onions, keeping some aside for garnish. This adds fresh, vibrant flavor to the dish.
- Serve: Spoon the Korean beef over warm cooked rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Garnish with the reserved green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds to finish the dish beautifully.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level or omit entirely for a milder dish.
- Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms, or broccoli to increase the meal’s nutrient content and volume.
- Use lean ground beef for a healthier option, or fatty beef for richer flavor.
- Serve over cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative to traditional white or brown rice.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
