This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.
Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls are so incredibly easy to make and will become a family favorite! This makes the perfect weeknight meal.
Such a simple meal with all the flavor! Try these different variations of Korean beef in these recipes: Korean Beef Noodles, Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry, or Slow Cooker Korean Beef.
Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls
This right here is my boy’s favorite weeknight meal. They beg me to make it every week. Since we have been so busy with Lacrosse, we have been having it every week. It requires minimal ingredients and little effort to make.
With minimal ingredients and big flavor, my kids devour it every time. The ground beef browns in minutes but still brings that classic Korean taste with brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger. I always have these simple ingredients on hand, so all I need is a pound of ground beef to make it happen. Serve it over rice, toss in some veggies, and top with sesame seeds and green onions for a quick, delicious dinner you’ll make again and again. If you love these flavors, try my Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken next!
How do you make Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls?
- In a large skillet cook the ground beef and garlic breaking it into crumbles over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain the grease.
- In a small bowl whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, red pepper flakes and pepper. Pour over the ground beef and let simmer for another minute or two.
- Serve over hot rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
What temperature should ground beef be cooked to?
The interior of a raw hamburger usually does contain bacteria, and is safest if cooked well done.The USDA sets the minimum safe temperature for ground beef at 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can you make this with chicken?
Yes! This is a great chicken flavor as well. Sauté your chicken with all the ingredients. Cook until it is no longer pink.
What is the best rice to use?
- White rice
- Brown rice
- Jasmine rice
Looking for more simple ground beef recipes?! Here you go!
- Salsa Verde Beef and Mushroom Enchiladas
- Beefy Baked Tacos
- Tater Tot Nachos
- Cheesy Baked Ziti
- Classic Baked Spaghetti
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef 90% lean
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups hot cooked white or brown rice
- sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet cook the ground beef and garlic breaking it into crumbles over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain the grease.
- In a small bowl whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, red pepper flakes and pepper. Pour over the ground beef and let simmer for another minute or two.
- Serve over hot rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thank you for sharing. This is now one of my favorite dishes also.
Fantastic recipe. Easy and SO GOOD!
Can I use regular sugar?
Yes, that will work too.
What can I use if I don’t have sesame oil? Can I use just regular cooking oil?
Yes, regular will work or using teriyaki sauce or extra soy sauce.
Thank you for this recipe. I was searching for something different with ground beef and had just about given up when I found this. It is so good. Even the picky 8 year old likes it though I left out the red pepper for him and added it to mine after cooking. This is definitely a keeper!
Do i drain the ground beef oil or leave it in?
I usually drain the ground beef.
So good! Thank you. I make this for my kids all the time. It’s their favorite!!
This was amazing–my new favorite go-to. Do you have the nutrition info? I’m particularly interested in carb counts [health reasons, not diet 😉 ]
Thanks!
I am getting nutritional information for each recipe right now while I am updating my old recipes. In the meantime, you are welcome to use myfitnesspal.com to help find the information you are needing.
Should I add salt to the beef?
If you would prefer. That will be okay for this recipe. The soy sauce has a lot of salt in it.
This is a fabulous jumping off point. I top off each bowl with cilantro, green onion and sesame seeds. While cooking the ground beef I add chopped red pepper and a couple of chopped jalapenos for more heat. There are so many different ways to use this recipe. Love it! Thank you.
I am only 11 and i made this dish for my family and they loved it. It was really easy to make and quick too. thank you for sharing this recipe.?
That is amazing! Way to go! You are going to be rockstar cook. Keep up the great work.
I agree with Osama! Great recipe.
Thank you for sharing this recipe. This is a great alternative for cooking ground beef. Perfect balance of spicies, even for my kids. Everyone ask for more. I served it with white rice and cucumber chunks in line juice.
If I don’t have brown sugar what would be a good substitute?
To make a successful substitute, just replace the brown sugar called for in the recipe with an equal amount of granulated sugar. Since brown sugar is nothing more than granulated sugar with a bit of molasses added to it, your recipe should still come out great.
This is an easy and delicious meal! I added zucchini & cabbage during the simmer time after adding the sauce. Adding a teaspoon of sriracha to the sauce is also good if you like a little heat.
This was good and so easy to make. Fast, too, which is nice. My husband is not an adventurous eater and initially said he didn’t want to try it so I just made it for myself for lunch and planned to refrigerate leftovers. He became intrigued by the smell, though, so he asked to try some and he ended up really liking it too and eating the rest!
I needed something different for dinner. I’m so glad I stumbled upon this gem. I normally wouldn’t comment, but wow this recipe was so delicious. I personally have to use less or no crushed red pepper next time because we can’t handle spicy at all, but, other than that, my family loved it.
Can we do lesser sugar?
Yes, of course!
Definitely, you can try it with out the sugar, and instead of soy sauce use coco aminos, is healthier and is going to give you just a touch of sweetness, and yes onions and cilantro is the best garnish.
Very delicious! My daugther loves it.We added fresh shredded lettuce and carrots…yummy!
If were to use coco amino what ratio would I use ?
I am by no means a cook. However, this recipe was so easy, I had to try it. Needless to say my kids and husband absolutely loved it. I have definitely found a winner with this one!!!
YAY! That is great to hear! Thank you so much for sharing! I am so glad that you all liked it!