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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
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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 x 1000! We have such a hard time finding a meal my whole family likes, and one that is gluten- and lactose-free. Everyone loved this!! I adore how easy and quick this is to make, and it’s a welcome change from chicken and pasta all the time. Thank you so much for this win!
I’ve had this recipe forever but have never tried it. Tonight’s the night! Keeping my fingers crossed that it’s a hit with my boys!?
Can you use a store bought sauce?
Sure!
Love this recipe! Question on sodium. If mentions 600+mg (25%). is that per serving or is that 100+ per serving
The estimated nutritional values are for each individual serving. Thanks for trying the recipe!!
I’ve made this recipe several times as written, and it’s always a winner. My 6, 4, and 1 year olds devour it. Today I planned on making it for dinner and didn’t realize I was out of brown sugar (and regular sugar or I would have just made my own brown!). So I ended up using some honey and a little molasses. It did work out just fine for anyone wondering if they can sub out for the sugar! I will say, it definitely comes out ever so slightly better with the brown sugar.
I usually serve it with a side of veggies quickly pickled in rice vinegar or a sautéed veg like snap peas or broccoli. Super good, super quick dinner!
This is like my 50th time making this so I figured it was worth me leaving a comment!!! SOOOOO GOOD!! Lol – we make it at least once a week!
I believe I commented on this recipe but wasn’t sure. This recipe has perfect flavor and it so easy. I’ve shared this exact recipe to friends and they are amazed how great it is with so little effort. I saw another recipe just like this one but they used honey instead. I like the brown sugar and your pictures are so beautiful.
This was such an easy and delicious quick meal! We’ll definitely be making this again.
Great little meal! I meal prep with this for work. I double the recipe and then let the sauce reduce by half. It’s a little on the salty side but I like it! Thanks
Yummy and easy! My 4 year old was hesitant because he said it smelled funny, but he ended up eating his whole plate
One of our family favorites. I’ve made it with ground chicken as well. I also like to add some quick korean pickles, sliced mango and a fried egg to my rice bowl along with the beef. It’s a hit at our house.
WOW! soooo good. My family new fave. They want it several times a week now. Lol must try!!
I make this recipe at least once a week at my house we all love it so much! I too had added vegetables. Some zucchini, some carrots, and even some broccoli. And I always add fresh onion and sauté that with the meat before I add the sauce. It’s just a fantastic and quick recipe that is so nutritious. Thank you for sharing. It is in my recipe box forever and I know that my grandkids are gonna pass this along to their own kids one day. My nine year old granddaughter absolutely loves it even with the red pepper flakes. Every time she comes out she always asks if we can make it together. Just awesome!
I love hearing this! And kids are the best critics, so I’m flattered that your grandkids love it. Thanks for following along!
My family loves this recipe. I add sliced yellow & red bell pepper that I sauté in olive oil to the finished product. You could add just about any veggie you like to it and it would make a great compliment to the recipe.
First time I’ve EVER written a review for a recipe. I am a full time single dad. 2 kids. My son is super picky. They ate this up!!! and I got a pat on the back from him. Super simple to make and store. THANK YOU
We use this recipe all the time and it’s so delicious! We’ve topped it with marinated jammy eggs, put it on ramen noodles, served over rice, or mixed in frozen cauliflower+broccoli rice to the beef before adding the sauce and cooking all together for a less starchy option. Thanks for a great and versatile recipe, Alyssa!