Korean Beef Bowl

Korean Beef Bowl

Tastes like Korean BBQ and is on your dinner table in just 15 min start to finish! It doesn’t get any easier than this!

I make this about once a week. I always double it. We have it with steamed broccoli or in romaine lettuce boats and steamed white rice, all varieties. I love it. My mom even loves it and she lived in Korea for 10 years. My son loves it. I add hot pepper paste, and sometimes a bit less sugar. Excellent and easy recipe!!!

Please welcome our favorited Korean beef bowls, one of our most popular recipes on Damn Delicious. This recipe is a special twist on the traditional Korean dish, bulgogi, but as a cheater version, we are swapping out thin slices of sirloin with ground beef. Bulgogi is also marinated overnight to enhance its flavors and tenderness but with this quick ground beef version, you can have the same flavors in lightning speed time.

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why i love this recipe

Weeknight hero. With a short ingredient list, these beef bowls come together incredibly fast. The cooking process itself takes just about 10-15 minutes, and if you have some leftover cooked rice lying around, dinner will be on the table in 20 minutes or less.

Budget-friendly. Using pantry staples, ground beef and rice, this dish can easily feed a family of four without breaking the bank.

Flexible recipe. Any lingering veggies (ex. chopped bell peppers, carrots or broccoli florets) can be thrown right in for a great clean-out-the-fridge meal.

tips and tricks for success

Use reduced sodium soy sauce. Reduced sodium has less sodium and less salt without compromising flavor.

Use your favorite meat. Ground beef, pork, chicken or turkey, tofu or plant based ground beef will all work very well here.

Add vegetables. Mushrooms, carrots, bell peppers or snow peas can be added for a more heartier meal.

More protein. In need of more protein? Top your bowls with a fried egg.

Serve with your favorite grains. White rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa or farro are all great options.

Meal prep as needed. Perfect for on-the-go, these Korean beef bowls can be conveniently meal prepped for the week ahead.

Korean Beef Bowl: Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use ground beef?

Not at all! Ground pork, chicken or turkey, tofu or plant based ground beef can be used in place of the ground beef.

Can I meal prep this?

Absolutely! Here are detailed instructions on how to meal prep this for the week.

How can I store leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Is this freezer-friendly?

Yes! You can freeze the leftovers in individual freezer bags, thaw overnight, and reheat on the stovetop (adding a tablespoon of water as needed).

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Can I make Korean beef in the slow cooker?

100%! This is one of our favorite crockpot recipes, perfect for those chilly months.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What to serve with it?

Rice, kimchi, steamed vegetables.

→ How spicy is it?

Mild. Adjust red pepper flakes to taste.

→ Ground beef substitute?

Try ground turkey or chicken.

→ Make it healthier?

Use less sugar, add more vegetables.

→ Meal prep?

Keeps well 3-4 days refrigerated.