Looking for a fast, flavorful meal that hits all the right notes — sweet, savory, spicy, and satisfying? Enter the Korean Ground Beef Bowl, a simplified spin on classic Korean bulgogi that doesn’t require hours of marinating or hard-to-find ingredients. This quick-cooking dish is ideal for weeknights, meal prep, or whenever you need something hearty and healthy in a hurry.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
Not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it also uses affordable pantry staples and lean ground beef for a protein-rich, balanced meal. It’s one of those dishes that tastes like comfort food but still fits into a clean eating routine. Plus, it can be served over rice, cauliflower rice, noodles, or even lettuce wraps — making it super versatile.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger (or fresh grated)
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional garnish)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Steamed rice or cauliflower rice, for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in soy sauce, brown sugar (or honey), sesame oil, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and coat the beef.
- Remove from heat, then garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
- Serve hot over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps for a low-carb version.
Final Thoughts
This Korean Ground Beef Bowl brings bold flavor with minimal effort. It’s great for busy nights, affordable, and easily adaptable to your diet — whether you’re going low-carb, meal prepping, or just craving something savory and satisfying. Try doubling the batch — leftovers taste even better the next day!