Description

This Korean Beef Bowl recipe is a quick and flavorful meal, combining lean ground beef cooked in a savory soy-based sauce with brown rice, fresh cucumber, and spicy Gochujang sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it offers a balance of sweet, spicy, and umami flavors with healthy ingredients and customizable options.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce

1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce*
2 teaspoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons water

Beef Mixture

1 pound 93% lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
2 garlic cloves (crushed)
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

To Serve

3 cups cooked brown rice
1 small sliced cucumber (skin on)
2 tablespoons Gochujang Sauce (or more if desired*)
1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 sliced scallions (white and green parts)

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Instructions

Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine low sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons water, light brown sugar, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well to mix all ingredients evenly.
Cook the beef: Heat a large, deep nonstick skillet over high heat and spray with cooking oil. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until fully browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
Add aromatics: Mix in the chopped yellow onion, crushed garlic cloves, and fresh grated ginger into the skillet. Cook together for 1 minute until fragrant and the onion softens slightly.
Simmer with sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked beef mixture, stir to combine, cover the skillet, and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Assemble the bowl: Spoon 3/4 cup of cooked brown rice into each serving bowl. Top with approximately 2/3 cup of the saucy beef mixture, add sliced cucumber, drizzle with Gochujang sauce to taste, and sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced scallions.

Notes

Check labels to ensure soy sauce and Gochujang sauce are gluten-free if needed.
Variations include swapping beef for ground turkey, pork, chicken, or plant-based proteins like tofu or Impossible burger for vegetarian options.
For extra protein, add a fried egg on top of the bowl.
Add more vegetables like sautéed mushrooms, bok choy, carrots, or edamame for increased nutrition and flavor.
Mix in pickled vegetables such as pickled onions, cucumbers, carrots, or kimchi to enhance the dish’s tanginess.
Spice it up further by garnishing with fresh sliced jalapeños.
For a low-carb alternative, serve over cauliflower or vegetable rice.
Make the dish into lettuce wraps instead of bowls for a lighter option.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately)
Calories: 370
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 580 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 34 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg