Description
A quick and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring ground beef in a sweet and savory Korean-inspired sauce, served over steamed rice. This recipe is pantry-friendly, takes only 15 minutes to cook, and is perfect for busy families.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
- ½ cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 stalks green onions, sliced
- Steamed rice (jasmine or short-grain) for serving
- Vegetables (spinach, carrots, cucumbers) for serving
- Egg (fried or soft-boiled) for serving
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, and black pepper until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Set aside.
- Cook the rice according to package instructions or by rinsing 1 cup of rice, adding 1.5 cups water, bringing to a boil, covering, reducing heat to low, and simmering for 18 minutes. Let sit covered for 5 minutes before fluffing.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the browned beef. Stir well to coat and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the beef mixture over steamed rice, topped with sliced green onions and a fried egg if desired.
Notes
Use 80/20 ground beef for juiciness. Toasted sesame oil is essential for authentic flavor. Fresh garlic and ginger provide the best taste. The recipe can be made gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce. For a lower-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice and reduce the brown sugar.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl per person
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 25
Keywords: Korean ground beef, bulgogi bowl, weeknight dinner, quick recipes, easy dinner, ground beef recipes, Korean food, meal prep, family dinner