This sweet and spicy Korean Ground Beef can be on the table in about 20 minutes, so it is perfect for busy weeknight dinners! Serve it over cooked rice or vegetables for a tasty dinner the whole family will love.
If you are looking for a simple ground beef recipe, it doesn’t get much easier than this!
Easy Korean Beef and Rice
I love cooking, so some days I actually enjoy spending time making a challenging recipe for dinner. But other days, I want something FAST! I got this recipe for Six Sisters’ Korean Beef from their cookbook A Year with Six Sisters Stuff.
It literally takes about 5 minutes of prep time (mincing garlic and slicing green onions), and it is ready in about 20 minutes. You’re going to want to put it in your “hectic family evenings when you don’t want fast food” recipe file.
In addition to being extra fast and easy, it calls for ingredients that you probably always have on hand. Even if you don’t have sesame oil, you are going to love this easy korean beef recipe!
At first my boys balked at adding the green onions to their servings, but I told them they had to try them. They really do add something to this dish. And much to their surprise, every kid decided they liked them on top. They are a good balance to the spicy sweet ground beef mixture.
I served ours over white rice, but you could substitute brown rice if you prefer. I served ours with a tossed salad (that I had my teenagers prepare), and it was a perfect meal! I hope you’ll give this one a try!
HOW DO YOU MAKE KOREAN GROUND BEEF BOWL?
- In a large skillet, cook and stir the ground beef over medium heat till no longer pink, adding the minced garlic the last minute or two.
- Add brown sugar, soy sauce, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes to the skillet.
- Simmer for about 5 minutes. If it gets dry, add a few tablespoons of water as it simmers.
- If desired, drizzle with sesame oil.
- Serve over hot rice or vegetables and garnish with sliced green onions.
PRO TIPS:
- Smash the ground beef into small pieces as you are cooking it. The smaller pieces soak up more of the flavor.
- Sesame oil can burn if it gets above 350°, so I like to drizzle it on at the end rather than risking ruining the dish.
- You also run the risk of burning garlic if it gets too hot. That’s why I recommend adding it after your ground beef is browned and drained.
- Start cooking your rice before you brown the hamburger, or you will be waiting for your rice to cook. This recipe really is that fast!
Leftovers?
This Korean beef makes amazing leftovers! It’s best to store the rice and meat mixture in separate containers. Place them both in airtight containers or ziplock bags and both will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
You can reheat the leftovers in the microwave for about a minute or on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring often and adding water if needed.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, you can. After the mixture is cool, place it in heavy duty freezer ziplock bags and press out the excess air before you zip it closed.
It will store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let the meat mixture thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat as directed above.
VARIATIONS:
- Instead of ground beef, you can try ground chicken or turkey.
- In addition to the green onions, you can garnish the dish with sesame seeds, sliced radishes, sliced cucumbers, grated carrots, or chopped cabbage.
- Serve the meat or meat/rice mixture wrapped in lettuce leaves.
- For extra protein, you can top each serving with a fried egg.
Looking for more easy ground beef recipes? Try these:
More Asian style recipes:
- Simple Orange Chicken Recipe
- Baked Teriyaki Chicken
- Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe
- Sweet and Sour Chicken
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KOREAN GROUND BEEF RECIPE
Korean Ground Beef Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes more or less
- 2 tsp sesame oil optional
- 3 cups cooked white rice more or less
- 3 green onions sliced
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off any fat.
- Add the minced garlic and saute for a minute or two.
- Stir in the brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes.
- Simmer for 5-6 minutes. Add more red pepper flakes to taste.
- If desired, drizzle with sesame oil.
- To serve, spoon beef mixture over hot cooked rice. Sprinkle with sliced green onions.
Notes
Nutrition
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Wow It was tasty. The important point is soy sauce and brown sugar. It was really good…
Yes, the savory and sweet are so good together!
Came out great! Added a little vinegar for a little acidity and for another layer of flavor.
I doubled the meat and all ingredients. Too sweet now with the cup of brown sugar. I added more soya. Any suggestions on how to cut the sweetness. Serving it tonight and I know my family will say it’s to sweet if I serve it like this.
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Made this tonight–was a big hit with the family–thanks for sharing!
We eat this all the time! Sorry you can’t find your sesame oil. Just a tip, if you have Chinese Five Soice Powder, add a 1/2 teaspoon. It is a wonderful addition, my family loves it.
Thanks for the tip Alexis. I’ll try that next time! 🙂