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Easy Korean Beef Bowl Recipe 18-Minute Quick Weeknight Dinner

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A quick and flavorful Korean beef bowl recipe ready in just 18 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. This dish balances sweet, savory, and umami flavors with tender caramelized beef served over rice.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (85% lean)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce (Kikkoman recommended)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 4 cups (about 600 g) cooked white rice (jasmine or short-grain)
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: mince the garlic, grate the ginger, and slice the green onions. Have your cooked rice ready (about 4 cups or 600 grams). This should take about 5 minutes.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving a little for flavor.
  3. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the beef. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Stir in soy sauce, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes (if using). Reduce heat to medium and let the sauce simmer with the beef for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly and coats the meat.
  5. Remove from heat and drizzle in the toasted sesame oil. Stir to combine.
  6. Divide cooked rice into four bowls. Spoon the hot Korean beef mixture over the rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

If the sauce is too thin, simmer longer or add a cornstarch slurry to thicken. Avoid burning garlic by stirring constantly and keeping heat moderate. Use fresh ginger for best flavor. For gluten-free, substitute tamari for soy sauce. For a lighter version, swap half the beef with cooked mushrooms or cauliflower rice. Sesame oil added at the end provides a signature nutty aroma.

Nutrition

Keywords: Korean beef bowl, quick dinner, weeknight meal, easy Korean recipe, ground beef recipe, savory beef bowl, 18-minute dinner

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