Name: Korean Ground Beef Bowl – Easy Dinner Recipes With Bold Flavor
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 teaspoons sesame oil; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional); 3 cups cooked white rice; 2 green onions, sliced; Sesame seeds, for garnish

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This Korean Ground Beef Bowl is what I turn to when dinner needs to be fast, filling, and foolproof. It’s rich, savory, and a little sweet—like a hug in a bowl, only beefier. The ground beef gets browned and seasoned with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a hint of brown sugar. Toss that over steamy white rice and sprinkle with green onions. Done. Every bite gives you that salty-sweet combo you didn’t know you were missing. It’s one of those ground beef recipes for dinner that just makes sense after a long day. You’re not dragging out a dozen ingredients or fiddling with the oven. We’re talking 15 minutes, one pan, and maybe a second helping. It’s become my go-to when I want Korean dinner recipes without breaking a sweat—or the bank. If you’re looking for summer ground beef recipes that don’t turn the kitchen into a sauna, this one’s a winner. You can even toss it in a lettuce wrap if you’re dodging carbs. It’s fast, it’s flexible, and honestly, it belongs in your list of easy crockpot recipes with ground beef, too. But if you’re like me, you’ll barely get it off the stove before it’s halfway gone.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl Recipe
3) Ingredients for Korean Ground Beef Bowl
4) How to Make Korean Ground Beef Bowl
5) Tips for Making Korean Ground Beef Bowl
6) Making Korean Ground Beef Bowl Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Korean Ground Beef Bowl
8) Try these Main Course recipes next!
9) Korean Ground Beef Bowl Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Quick 15-minute dinner using pantry staples and ground beef
Perfect over rice or in a low-carb lettuce wrap
Ideal for busy weeknights or meal prepping ahead
Customizable spice level for the whole family

2) Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl Recipe

If you ever find yourself staring blankly into the fridge at 6 pm, this one’s for you. This easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl fits snugly in your weeknight dinner rotation. With minimal prep and just one pan, it’s the kind of meal that delivers comfort without a fuss. The first time I made it, I wasn’t expecting fireworks. But that first bite? I was all in.

The beef gets cozy with soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, and ginger. It bubbles away into this deep, rich glaze that smells like you’ve been slow-cooking all afternoon. In truth, you’ve spent about 12 minutes total. We’re talking easy dinner recipes that don’t ask for much but give you a lot in return. That balance between sweet and savory hits just right.

This isn’t only for rice lovers, though it does love a good white rice pillow. On warmer nights, we scoop it into lettuce wraps or pile it onto crisp cabbage slaw. We keep it in the fridge as part of our summer ground beef recipes collection. It reheats like a charm and tastes even better cold—if you’re into that sort of thing.

3) Ingredients for Korean Ground Beef Bowl

1 pound lean ground beef: I go for 85/15, but if you prefer something leaner, that works too. Just don’t skip the draining step or you’ll get a greasy finish.

3 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic packs more flavor than jarred. Take a few seconds to mince it—your kitchen will smell like a dream.

1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger: The warmth of ginger balances the sweet notes. Peel it with a spoon and grate it fine so it melts into the beef.

1/4 cup brown sugar: Light brown sugar gives just the right amount of caramel-like sweetness. It helps create that sticky, shiny finish.

1/4 cup soy sauce: I stick with low-sodium. It seasons the dish deeply without overpowering the other ingredients.

2 teaspoons sesame oil: A little goes a long way. It brings a nutty depth that makes the dish unmistakably Korean-inspired.

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: Add more or less depending on your heat tolerance. I like a little tingle—not a five-alarm fire.

3 cups cooked white rice: Leftover rice is perfect here. Fluffy jasmine or basmati both work great, too.

2 green onions, sliced: These brighten everything. Scatter them like confetti right before serving.

Sesame seeds, for garnish: Optional, but highly encouraged. They add crunch and a bit of visual flair.

4) How to Make Korean Ground Beef Bowl

Step 1. Heat a skillet over medium. Add the ground beef and cook it until browned. Stir often to break it up. Once browned, drain the fat so it doesn’t go greasy on you.

Step 2. Toss in the garlic and ginger. Stir them through the beef. Let them cook for 1 to 2 minutes, just until they stop smelling raw.

Step 3. Add the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together. Let it simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the meat.

Step 4. Scoop the beef mixture over bowls of hot rice. Top with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. That’s it. You’re done.

5) Tips for Making Korean Ground Beef Bowl

Don’t skip the browning. Let the beef sit for a few seconds between stirs. That crust gives flavor. Rushing it? You’ll steam, not brown. You want those little crispy edges.

Taste your soy sauce. Some brands are saltier than others. Try your finished dish before adding more salt. This is a fast, easy dinner recipe that rewards paying attention.

Double it. Seriously. This freezes beautifully and makes weekday lunches better than that sad turkey sandwich you’ve been settling for. Easy dinner recipes like this deserve a repeat.

6) Making Korean Ground Beef Bowl Ahead of Time

This dish leans into the make-ahead lifestyle like a champ. Cook the beef mixture, cool it down, and stash it in the fridge. It holds well for three to four days.

I often batch cook this and store it in glass containers with rice already portioned. That way, lunch is just a microwave beep away. It’s one of my favorite easy crockpot recipes with ground beef, adapted for the stovetop.

For a freezer twist, portion the cooked meat (without rice) into bags. Lay them flat. They’ll defrost quickly and evenly. Your future self will thank you on a Wednesday night.

7) Storing Leftover Korean Ground Beef Bowl

Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. If you’re storing rice and beef together, let them cool first so you don’t trap steam. Otherwise, you’ll get mushy rice.

They’ll last in the fridge up to 4 days. Just reheat in a skillet or microwave. A splash of water in the pan helps bring moisture back to the beef.

When you’re standing at the fridge, debating your next move, a quick zap of this easy dinner recipe hits the spot. Pair it with a crisp salad or roasted veggies and it feels fresh all over again.

8) Try these Main Course recipes next!

9) Korean Ground Beef Bowl Recipe