Savory Korean Beef & Rice Bowls: A Flavor Explosion in Every Bite!

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Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls are incredibly simple to prepare and are sure to become a beloved dish in your household! This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you need something quick yet flavorful.

With minimal ingredients, this meal packs a punch of flavor! If you’re looking for variations on Korean beef, check out our recipes for Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry or Slow Cooker Korean Beef.

This dish has quickly become my boys’ favorite weeknight dinner. They request it weekly, especially with our hectic Lacrosse schedule. It’s easy to make and requires very few ingredients—perfect for those busy evenings!

The ground beef cooks in just minutes while delivering that authentic Korean taste. The combination of brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger elevates the flavors beautifully. Since we adore Asian cuisine, I always keep these staples on hand; all I need is a pound of ground beef each week.

I’m confident you’ll enjoy this meal as much as we do! It’s delightful served over rice, and I often add some vegetables to create a balanced dish. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions completes this effortless meal that you’ll want to make repeatedly!

How to Prepare Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls

  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with minced garlic until browned; be sure to break it into crumbles as it cooks.
  2. Drain any excess grease.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger powder (or fresh), red pepper flakes (if desired), and black pepper.
  4. Pour the mixture over the cooked ground beef and let it simmer for an additional minute or two.
  5. Serve hot over rice garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

What Temperature Should Ground Beef Be Cooked To?

To ensure safety from bacteria commonly found in raw hamburger meat, it’s best cooked well-done at an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit according to USDA guidelines.

Can You Substitute Chicken?

Absolutely! This recipe works wonderfully with chicken too—just sauté your chicken pieces along with all the ingredients until fully cooked through.

What Type of Rice Works Best?

You can use various types of rice such as:

  • White rice
  • Brown rice
  • Jasmine rice

Looking for More Easy Ground Beef Recipes? Here are some suggestions!

  • Salsa Verde Beef & Mushroom Enchiladas
  • Cheesy Baked Tacos
  • Beefy Enchilada Nachos
  • Classic Baked Spaghetti

Save this recipe now so you can easily find it later!

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 238 kcal
Carbohydrates: 16 g
Protein: 25 g
Fat: 8 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Cholesterol: 70 mg
Sodium: 610 mg
Potassium: 448 mg
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 14 g

Note that nutritional information is automatically calculated; please use it as an estimate.


About Alyssa Rivers: Alyssa Rivers is the author behind ‘The Tried-and-True Cookbook,’ an accomplished food photographer specializing in recipe development. Her passion for cooking has led her recipes to be featured on platforms like Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed among others.


More Recipe Ideas: Try making Turkey Roulade—it takes about two hours thirty minutes from start to finish!