Description
This Korean Beef Bowl recipe is a quick and flavorful weeknight meal featuring tender ground beef simmered in a savory sauce, served over wholesome brown rice and topped with fresh cucumber, spicy Gochujang sauce, sesame seeds, and scallions. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory tastes with a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons water
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound 93% lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
Assembly
- 3 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 small cucumber, sliced (skin on)
- 2 tablespoons Gochujang sauce (or more if desired)
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 sliced scallions (white and green parts)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the low sodium soy sauce, light brown sugar, sesame oil, crushed red pepper flakes, and water until evenly combined to create a flavorful sauce base.
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large, deep nonstick skillet over high heat and lightly spray with cooking oil. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until it is fully browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the chopped yellow onion, crushed garlic cloves, and freshly grated ginger into the skillet with the browned beef. Cook together for 1 minute until fragrant and the onion softens slightly.
- Simmer with Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef mixture, stir well to combine, then cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Allow it to simmer gently for 10 minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.
- Assemble the Bowl: Divide the cooked brown rice evenly among four serving bowls, spoon approximately 2/3 cup of the saucy beef mixture on top of each, add sliced cucumber, drizzle with Gochujang sauce to your preferred level of spiciness, and finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced scallions for a fresh, vibrant touch.
Notes
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control salt levels.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes and Gochujang sauce according to desired spice tolerance.
- Can substitute brown rice with white rice or cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.
- Lean ground beef helps reduce fat but maintains flavor and texture.
- Gochujang sauce adds authentic Korean heat and flavor; omit or reduce for milder taste.
