Korean Beef Bowl Recipe
This 20 Minute Korean Beef Bowl recipe is a shortcut version of traditional Korean Bulgogi Beef served over white rice. A super easy meal perfect for busy weeknights, it’s great for meal prep and is freezer-friendly too!
Love Korean food? Try my Slow Cooker Korean Beef for an easy set-it-and-forget-it dinner, and my Korean BBQ Tacos are perfect for Taco Tuesday!
This recipe is a shortcut version of traditional Bulgogi (Korean Beef). It has the same sweet, salty, and tangy sauce but is made in a quarter of the time! While the beef is cooking I cook my rice and mix together the sauce ingredients. The sauce is made up of soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. It is so simple yet so amazing!
This 20 Minute Korean Beef is the perfect meal for a busy weeknight. The beef gets served on top of white rice and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions. You could also substitute cauliflower rice or brown rice to lighten it up.
We love making this recipe for meal prep too! Simply divide the rice and beef between storage containers and add in your favorite veggies. Reheat in the microwave and serve! It’s great for lunches or easy dinners.
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Ingredients for this Korean Beef Bowl Recipe
- Garlic: & ginger: I try to always use fresh garlic and ginger where I can. You can buy it pre-minced from the grocery store to save a little time.
- Ground beef: I prefer to use lean ground beef but feel free to use what you have on hand. You could also substitute ground turkey, chicken, or pork if desired.
- Sugar: I used light brown sugar, however, you can substitute dark brown sugar or honey if you prefer.
- Soy sauce: To cut back on salt, I like to use low sodium soy sauce. You can also use regular soy sauce cut with a little water or gluten-free soy sauce.
- Sesame oil: Rich and nutty, sesame oil adds a ton of flavor to so many Asian recipes!
- Crushed red pepper flakes: For a little kick of heat I add crushed red pepper flakes. You can substitute chili powder or a little sriracha sauce.
How to make Korean Beef Bowls
- Start by heating oil in a large skillet. Add in beef crumbling as you cook it and saute until brown, 4-5 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add in garlic and ginger and cook for an additional minute.
- Meanwhile in a small bowl whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil and red pepper flakes.
- Stir the sauce mixture into the beef and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is heated through and thickened.
- Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds for garnish, if desired.
- Serve immediately over a bed of white rice.
- If you want a kick serve with sriracha or a bit of chili oil on top!
Tips for Success
- Meat substitutions: Ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground pork can be substituted for beef.
- Add a kick of heat by serving a drizzle of sriracha or a bit of chili oil on top!
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave or in a pot on the stove until it’s heated through.
- Freeze: This is an awesome freezer-friendly recipe! Freeze this Korean Beef Bowl recipe in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
What is Korean beef called?
Korean beef is called “Bulgogi” (불고기) which literally means fire meat because it is traditionally thinly sliced meat that is barbecued or grilled over a fire. You can also stir-fry it as we do in this Korean Beef Bowl recipe.
What cut of beef is bugogi?
Bulgogi is rib-eye steak, which is quite easy to cook when sliced thinly. To save on time I used ground beef. You get the same beefy flavor with minimal effort.
What do you eat with Korean Beef?
Traditionally it’s served over rice, however, I love fried rice and I think it goes SO well with that as well! Here are my favorite side dishes to serve:
- Rice: Boiled or steamed white, brown, or wild rice
- Cauliflower rice
- Quinoa
- Noodles
- I love to serve this with sliced cucumber and pickled carrots. It adds a nice crunch!
- Sautéed mixed veggies
- Air Fryer Vegetables
- Best Fried Rice
- Garlic Fried Rice
- Air Fryer Fried Rice
- Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Vegetable Fried Rice
- Japanese Cucumber Salad
- Roasted Broccoli
- Roasted Cauliflower
Here are more Asian Inspired Beef recipes to try!
- Easy Sesame Beef
- 30 Minute Mongolian Beef
- Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef
- Spicy Szechuan Beef
- Thai Basil Beef
- Super Easy Pepper Steak
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Korean Beef Bowls
20 Minute Korean Beef Bowls! A shortcut version of traditional Korean Bulgogi Beef served over white rice! A super easy meal perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes or more to taste
- green onions for garnish if desired
- sesame seeds for garnish if desired
- white rice for serving
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet. Add in beef crumbling as you cook it and saute until brown, 4-5 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add in garlic and ginger and cook for an additional minute.
- Meanwhile in a small bowl whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil and red pepper flakes.
- Stir the sauce mixture into the beef and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is heated through and thickened.
- Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds for garnish, if desired.Serve immediately over a bed of white rice.
Recipe Notes
Adapted from Damn Delicious