Korean BBQ Beef Bowls

Easy Weeknight Korean BBQ Beef Bowls

These Korean BBQ Beef Bowls are perfect for beginner cooks! They’re packed with flavor, come together quickly, and are easily customizable. You can enjoy them for a satisfying lunch or a delicious weeknight dinner.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 25 minutes Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• For the Korean BBQ Beef:
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio is recommended)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
• For the Bowls:
  • 4 cups cooked white or brown rice
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
  • Sriracha or kimchi, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Rice: Prepare the rice according to package instructions. While the rice cooks, move on to the next step.
2. Brown the Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
3. Sauté the Aromatics: Add the garlic and onion to the pan and cook for 30 seconds, or until softened and fragrant.
4. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
5. Simmer the Beef: Pour the sauce mixture into the pan with the browned beef. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked rice into four bowls. Top each bowl with the Korean BBQ beef and sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds (if using).
7. Serve and Enjoy! Serve immediately with sriracha or kimchi on the side for an extra kick, if desired.

Tips:

• For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef and ground pork.
• Don’t have fresh ginger? Substitute 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger.
• You can add other vegetables to the bowl, such as shredded carrots, bell peppers, or broccoli. Simply stir-fry them with the garlic and onion in step 3.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.

This recipe is a great introduction to Korean flavors and is sure to become a new favorite! Enjoy!