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Korean Ground Beef Bowl

Korean Ground Beef Bowl

Quick and flavorful Korean Ground Beef Bowl with a sweet-savory sauce, ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights and packed with protein.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian, Korean
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef 85/15 recommended
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil toasted preferred
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger minced
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds optionally toasted
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • 3-4 cups cooked rice for serving

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Small mixing bowl
  • whisk

Method
 

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until completely browned, crumbly, and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat, leaving just a thin coating.
  2. Add the sesame oil to the skillet, then add the diced onion, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent and the mixture is fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar until the sugar is completely dissolved.
  4. Pour the sauce over the beef mixture and stir to combine evenly. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken slightly for 2-3 minutes, creating a glossy coating on the beef.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in the sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
  6. Serve the Korean ground beef mixture hot over a bed of cooked rice (about 3/4 to 1 cup rice per serving). Top with a fried egg or additional sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add 1-2 teaspoons of gochujang or sriracha to the sauce. This recipe is perfect for meal prep - store the cooked beef and rice separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days. You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option (add extra sesame oil to prevent dryness).
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