Korean Ground Beef Bowls

Need a quick dinner that tastes amazing? These Korean Ground Beef Bowls are sweet, savory, mildly spicy, and ready faster than you can say takeout!

The tender beef is coated in a garlicky, gingery sauce that’s bold yet comforting—a little sticky, a little saucy, and A LOT delicious. It’s perfect for busy nights when you just want something easy and satisfying!

I love whipping up Korean Ground Beef Bowls when life gets hectic, and I bet you will too! They’re perfect for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or when you just need a quick, flavorful dinner ANY TIME OF YEAR.

Hold your horses! I know you’re excited about these Korean Ground Beef Bowls, but you’ve got to check out our Asian Turkey & Broccoli Bowls or our Kielbasa Fried Rice.

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe…
• Ingredients
• How To Make Korean Ground Beef Bowls
• Storage
• Serving Suggestions
• FAQ
• Korean Beef Bowls

Why You’ll Love This Recipe…

• We’ve all been there—you’re tired, starving, and the last thing you want to do is cook a big meal. Enter these Korean Beef Rice Bowls! They’re on the table in just 20 minutes, which is faster than scrolling through your delivery app.
• This dish has everything: sweet, savory, garlicky, with a hint of heat. It’s bold but comforting. The sauce clings to every piece of beef and mixes perfectly with the rice. It’s so good that I’ve been caught eating it straight from the pan because I just can’t wait—don’t judge!
• Give your future self a gift by making a big batch of this Korean ground beef. It reheats like a dream and is just as delicious the next day. I like to portion it into containers with rice for no-stress lunches or dinners. Then, I pat myself on the back for adulting the right way (for once).
• The best thing about this recipe? It’s super flexible. Swap the beef for ground turkey or chicken, toss in some broccoli or carrots, or serve it over cauliflower rice if that’s your thing. It’s like a “choose your own adventure,” but in meal form.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this dish come together. Simple ingredients like ground beef, soy sauce, and a little brown sugar bring the perfect balance of flavor.

Bowl

• Ground beef – We prefer a leaner ground beef, but not too lean like 88/12 or 90/10.
• Green onions
• Gochujang (Korean chili paste) – You can find this in the Asian food aisle at many grocery stores.
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Brown sugar
• Garlic clove
• Cooked white rice
• Pickled vegetables (optional)
• Sesame seeds, for garnish

Sauce

• Gochujang
• Water
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar

See the recipe card for quantities.

How To Make Korean Ground Beef Bowls

Cook ground beef in a pan over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until browned, then drain the fat.

Stir in green onions, gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes.

Heat sauce ingredients in a small pan for 2-3 minutes until the sugar dissolves.

Serve over rice, add meat and sauce, and enjoy!

Storage

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days—they reheat beautifully! If you want to freeze them, pack the beef and rice separately for the best texture.

Serving Suggestions

Korean Ground Beef Bowls are incredibly versatile and pair perfectly with steamed white or brown rice, noodles, cauliflower rice, or zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.

For sides, try classic kimchi for a tangy kick, roasted or stir-fried veggies like broccoli or bok choy, or a simple cucumber salad for a refreshing crunch.

Feeling extra? Top your bowl with a fried egg.

FAQ