Korean Beef Bowl

30 min | easy | lactose-free, low-fat

Overhead view of a Korean beef bowl: white rice topped with glossy ground beef, sliced green onions, and sesame seeds, with cucumber rounds and shredded carrots on the side; chopsticks and a small dish of red chili sauce nearby.

Recipe by Eunice Published Jun 10, 2025

Prep Time	Cook Time	Total Time
15 min	15 min	30 min

Rate/Review

Introduction

This easy Korean beef bowl gives you all the bold, sweet-savory flavors of takeout in a fast weeknight dinner.

Garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a touch of brown sugar coat the ground beef, which soaks into fluffy white rice.

Top each bowl with crunchy veggies, creamy avocado, and a little spicy gochujang for a fresh, build-your-own style meal.

Bowl of Korean beef over white rice topped with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, with cucumber rounds and shredded carrots on the side and a drizzle of red gochujang-style sauce.

How to Make Korean Beef Bowl

Prep mode (keeps screen active)

Prep the aromatics and veggies

Peel and mince the garlic, then peel and finely grate the ginger.
Thinly slice the green onions, keeping white and green parts in separate piles.
Shred the carrots if needed, and slice the cucumber and avocado just before serving so they stay fresh.
Cook the ground beef

Set a large skillet over medium-high heat and let it preheat for 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until it is mostly browned.
If there is a lot of fat in the pan, spoon off some so the meat does not taste greasy.

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Flavor the beef

Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and the white parts of the green onions to the skillet.
Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often, until very fragrant but not browned.
Stir in the soy sauce, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes, and let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
The sauce should thicken slightly and coat the beef in a glossy, savory glaze.
Warm the rice and build the base

If the rice was cooked ahead, warm it in the microwave or on the stove until hot and fluffy.
Scoop about 3/4 to 1 cup of rice into each serving bowl, depending on appetite.
Arrange small piles of shredded carrots and sliced cucumber over the rice so the colors stay separated and pretty.
Add the beef and toppings

Spoon the hot Korean beef over the rice and veggies, dividing it evenly between the bowls.
Sprinkle the green parts of the green onions and the sesame seeds over the top of each bowl.
Fan the avocado slices over one side of each bowl if you are using them.

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Finish with heat and serve

For extra spice, drizzle a little gochujang over the beef or thin it with water for a quick drizzle sauce.
Taste and add more gochujang, sesame seeds, or green onions at the table to suit everyone.
Serve the bowls hot so the contrast between warm beef and cool veggies really shines.

Close-up of a Korean beef bowl: white rice topped with glossy soy-garlic ground beef, sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, and chopped green onions, finished with white and black sesame seeds; other bowls are blurred in the background.

Substitutions

Ground beef -> ground turkey or chicken: Swap the ground beef for lean ground turkey or chicken for a lighter, slightly milder bowl. The sauce still gives plenty of savory flavor, and the meat stays tender if you avoid overcooking it.
Soy sauce -> tamari or coconut aminos: Use gluten-free tamari in the same amount if you need this bowl to stay gluten-free. For a soy-free option, try coconut aminos and reduce the brown sugar slightly since coconut aminos taste naturally sweeter.
White rice -> cauliflower rice: Serve the beef over steamed cauliflower rice if you want a lower-carb, veggie-heavy version. Use a wide pan and cook the cauliflower rice quickly so it stays fluffy instead of soggy.

Close-up of a Korean beef bowl: white rice topped with glossy sauced ground beef, sesame seeds, and sliced green onions, with cucumber rounds and shredded carrots arranged along the side.

Tips

Brown, then glaze the beef: Let the beef get some golden brown bits before adding the sauce so you build deeper, meatier flavor. Once the sauce goes in, keep the heat at medium so the sugar does not burn.
Adjust sweetness and heat to taste: Start with the listed brown sugar and red pepper flakes, then tweak after tasting the finished beef. If it feels too spicy, add a splash of water and a teaspoon of extra sugar to balance things.
Use day-old rice for best texture: If possible, cook the rice the day before and chill it, which helps each grain stay separate and fluffy. If the rice seems dry, sprinkle on a tablespoon of water before reheating.
Slice veggies thin for crunch: Slice the carrots and cucumber very thin so they stay crisp but still fit neatly into each bite. This contrast with the saucy beef keeps the bowl feeling fresh instead of heavy.
Make it meal-prep friendly: Store the cooked beef, rice, and veggies in separate containers so reheated bowls taste almost as good as fresh. Add avocado and gochujang right before eating so they keep their texture and punchy flavor.

Nutrition Facts ^*

Energy	978	kcal
Protein	37	g
Total Fat	41	g
Carbohydrates	109	g
Dietary Fiber	4	g

^* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.

FAQ

How can I keep the ground beef from turning out dry or tough?: Use 80% to 85% lean ground beef, which has enough fat to stay juicy while it browns. Avoid stirring constantly, and stop cooking as soon as the meat is no longer pink before adding the sauce.
Can I use frozen vegetables or rice for this bowl?: Yes, frozen rice and veggies work well and make this even more weeknight-friendly. Reheat frozen rice with a splash of water, and quickly stir-fry frozen veggies so they do not get mushy.
How spicy is this Korean beef bowl, and how can I adjust it for kids?: As written, the bowl has gentle heat from the red pepper flakes, especially if you skip the gochujang drizzle. For kids, cut the red pepper flakes in half and serve gochujang on the side for spice lovers.
Can I make this Korean beef bowl ahead of time?: You can cook the beef and rice up to three days ahead and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. Reheat the beef gently on the stove with a spoonful of water, and warm the rice separately.

Serving Suggestions

This cozy Korean beef bowl also plays nicely with a fried egg on top for extra richness and protein.

Pair it with kimchi, quick pickled radishes, or a simple green salad to add brightness and crunch to the meal.

For a fun twist, try serving the beef and toppings lettuce-wrap style for a lighter, hands-on dinner.

More pairings:

Reviews

Stephanie, Chesapeake: Turned out super tasty and weeknight-easy 😋 but I was a little confused on how much fat to spoon off after browning the beef since mine was pretty lean, should I still remove some? 🤔 — 4 ★

Eunice: Happy it was tasty and weeknight-easy, Stephanie! If your beef is lean and there isn’t much grease pooling in the pan, you can skip draining and just spoon off any excess so the soy-sugar sauce doesn’t turn oily.
Anna, Miami, FL: Sweet soy beef, total weeknight win! 😋🔥 — 5 ★

Eunice: Happy it was a weeknight win, Anna! 😋 If you make it again, try dialing the brown sugar or crushed red pepper up or down to match your sweet-heat sweet spot.