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Korean Ground Beef Bowls

These Korean Ground Beef Bowls are a quick and flavorful meal made with savory ground beef, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Serve the beef over warm rice with fresh vegetables, or turn it into a hot honey beef bowl for a delicious sweet and spicy twist.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the Beef
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • For the Bowls
  • 4 cups cooked white or brown rice
  • 2 green onions thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 1 small cucumber sliced
  • 1 medium carrot julienned
  • Fresh cilantro optional
  • Optional Hot Honey Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons hot honey
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon rice vinegar

Method
 

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef.
  2. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking the beef apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked.
  3. Drain excess grease if needed.
  4. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Stir in soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
  6. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 2–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef.
  7. Divide the warm cooked rice between four bowls.
  8. Spoon the Korean ground beef over the rice.
  9. Add sliced cucumber, carrots, green onions, and sesame seeds.
  10. If using, combine the hot honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.
  11. Drizzle the hot honey sauce over each bowl for a sweet and spicy finish.
  12. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

 
Ground beef: Lean ground beef works best, but regular ground beef can also be used. Drain excess grease before adding the sauce.
Spice level: Add more or less red pepper flakes according to your preference.
Hot honey: Hot honey adds a delicious sweet and spicy flavor and turns this into an easy hot honey beef bowl.
Sweet potatoes: Serve the beef over roasted sweet potatoes instead of rice for a tasty variation on sweet potato and ground beef recipes.
Vegetables: Add broccoli, shredded cabbage, edamame, or bell peppers for extra vegetables.
Meal prep: Store the beef, rice, and vegetables in separate airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Rice: White rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, or cauliflower rice can all be used.
Serving: Top with sesame seeds, green onions, kimchi, or spicy mayonnaise for extra flavor.