Description
This Korean Beef Bowl combines savory ground beef with a sweet soy glaze, garlic, and sesame flavor for a fast, comforting meal. Serve it over rice or in lettuce wraps—it’s easy, balanced, and done in 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon olive oil or vegetable oil
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1⅓ tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic (divided)
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger (or 1 teaspoon fresh, grated)
- ½–1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Cooked white or brown rice, or lettuce leaves (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked (about 5–6 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add garlic: Stir in 1 tablespoon of the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ground ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, and the remaining minced garlic.
- Simmer and glaze: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the cooked beef. Stir to combine and cook for 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the meat evenly.
- Serve: Spoon the Korean beef over rice or into lettuce wraps. Garnish generously with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Active time: 15 minutes. The sauce will caramelize quickly, so keep an eye on it to prevent burning. For extra umami, add a teaspoon of rice vinegar or a drizzle of honey before serving.