Description
This Korean Beef Bowl is a flavorful, quick, and easy meal combining savory marinated ground beef with fragrant brown rice, fresh cucumber slices, and spicy Gochujang sauce. Garnished with sesame seeds and scallions, it’s a delicious fusion of sweet, salty, and spicy elements perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep.
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 and Aromatics
- 1 pound 93% lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
Other
- Cooking spray
- 3 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 small sliced cucumber (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, combine the low sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of water, light brown sugar, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well until the sugar dissolves fully to create a balanced, flavorful marinade.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a large deep nonstick skillet over high heat and spray with cooking oil. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it is fully cooked through and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: To the cooked beef, add the chopped yellow onion, crushed garlic cloves, and freshly grated ginger. Stir and cook together for 1 minute to allow the flavors to meld.
- Simmer with Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef mixture. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 10 minutes so the beef absorbs all the savory, sweet, and spicy flavors.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide 3/4 cup of cooked brown rice into each serving bowl. Top each with about 2/3 cup of the Korean beef mixture. Add fresh sliced cucumbers, a drizzle of Gochujang sauce to taste, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and garnish with sliced scallions (both white and green parts) for freshness and texture.
Notes
- Check labels on soy sauce and Gochujang for gluten-free if necessary.
- Protein Variations: Substitute ground beef with lean ground turkey, ground pork, ground chicken, or plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu or Impossible Burger.
- Extra Protein: Top your bowl with a fried egg for added richness and protein.
- Vegetable Additions: Incorporate sautéed mushrooms, bok choy, matchstick carrots, or edamame for extra nutrition and variety.
- Pickled Veggies: Enhance flavor with pickled onions, cucumbers, carrots, or kimchi.
- Spice Level: Add sliced fresh jalapeños to increase heat.
- Rice Alternatives: For a lower-carb option, use cauliflower rice or mixed vegetable rice.
- Lettuce Wraps: Use the Korean beef mixture as filling for crisp lettuce wraps as a refreshing alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
