Ground beef dinners are always a hit in my house—seriously, my kids would eat them every night if I let them! If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for a weeknight dinner that checks all the boxes: quick, flavorful, and satisfying. That’s where this Korean beef bowl recipe comes in. This Korean Beef Bowl features ground beef in a delectable, savory sauce that’s perfectly balanced with sweet, salty, and a touch of heat. Serve it over steamed rice with your favorite fresh veggies, a quick, satisfying meal that comes together in 25 minutes or less
These savory bowls are packed with flavor and perfect for meal prep.
Korean Beef Bowls Recipe Starts at 5:00
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 3/4 cup soy sauce
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup ponzu sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup sweet Thai chili sauce
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 bag coleslaw mix
- Rice or rice noodles, cooked
Instructions:
Brown the beef with garlic in a large skillet.
In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, ponzu sauce, rice vinegar, Thai chili sauce, and ground ginger.
Pour the sauce over the beef and bring to a simmer.
Stir in the coleslaw mix and cook until wilted.
Serving Tip: Serve over rice or rice noodles and top with shredded carrots, cucumber, and a drizzle of spicy mayo. Be as creative as you like. Traditional Korean Beef Bowls
add a runny egg.
Meal Prep and Storage Instructions
- Meal prep: Cook the beef and sauce, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I like to store the rice and crisper vegetable components separately (until ready to eat) so they don’t lose any of their vibrancy. Cooked rice will stay fresh for three to four days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Reheating: Combine all the warm components (like the beef, rice and egg) and microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through. Then top with vegetables and enjoy!
- Freezing: The beef mixture freezes beautifully. Portion into freezer-safe bags and freeze for up to 3 months.
Can I Make This Recipe With A Different Protein?
Absolutely! You can easily swap the beef for your favorite protein. Here are a few of my favorites that pair perfectly with this Korean-inspired dish:
- Tofu: Make this a vegetarian bowl by using extra-firm tofu. Simply press it to remove excess moisture, then marinate and cook as directed for a delicious plant-based option.
- Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Or, follow my recipe for easy roast chicken, then slice or shred it for your bowl.
- Pork: Thinly sliced pork tenderloin or pork shoulder works beautifully in this dish.
- Ground turkey, chicken or pork: Brown your favorite ground meat, then mix it with the marinade to create a quick and tasty version of this bowl.