Korean Ground Beef Bowl (Print Version)

Savory gochujang beef over rice with fresh vegetables, kimchi, and sesame seeds.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef Seasoning

01 - 1 pound lean ground beef
02 - 2 tablespoons gochujang
03 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
04 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
08 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Bowl Assembly

09 - 4 cups cooked short-grain rice
10 - 1 cup cooked edamame
11 - 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
12 - 1 cup carrot, julienned
13 - 1 cup kimchi, chopped
14 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and ginger, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
02 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula while cooking until completely browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
03 - Stir in gochujang, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and coat the beef evenly.
04 - Remove from heat and stir in half of the sliced green onions.
05 - Divide cooked rice equally among 4 serving bowls. Top each portion with seasoned beef, edamame, cucumber, carrot, and kimchi.
06 - Sprinkle remaining green onions and toasted sesame seeds over each bowl. Serve immediately while beef is warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in thirty minutes, making it perfect for nights when you need something impressive without the stress.
  • The balance of spicy, savory, and fresh vegetables means every bite keeps surprising you.
  • It's a build-your-own-bowl situation, so everyone at the table can adjust heat levels and toppings to their taste.
02 -
  • Don't skip browning the beef properly—it takes only a few extra minutes and creates the caramelized depth that makes this bowl taste restaurant-quality instead of rushed.
  • Gochujang quality matters because it's the primary seasoning, so grab a reputable brand and taste it before adding more than two tablespoons to avoid overwhelming the dish.
03 -
  • If your beef looks dry after cooking, add a splash of water or broth before the sauce so it stays tender and succulent.
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes right before serving—the difference in flavor is worth the tiny bit of extra effort.
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