Korean Ground Beef Bowls

Korean Ground Beef Bowls for Two are an easy way to turn a half pound of ground beef into a flavorful dinner in about 20 minutes. The beef cooks in a sweet and savory sauce made with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and toasted sesame oil. Spoon it over warm rice, add a few fresh vegetables, and dinner is ready!

This is the kind of recipe I like to keep handy for evenings when I need something quick but want a change from burgers, tacos, or spaghetti. There is no marinade to prepare and no long list of vegetables to chop. While the beef cooks, you can mix the sauce and get the toppings ready.

Best of all, this recipe makes two satisfying servings without leaving you with a refrigerator full of leftovers. You only need one skillet for the beef, and microwave rice makes the rest of the meal especially easy.

Ingredients You Will Need

A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article with the specific measurements and instructions.

Ground Beef

You will need ½ pound of ground beef for two servings. I recommend 90% lean ground beef because it provides good flavor without leaving much grease in the skillet.

If you use ground beef with a higher fat content, drain the excess grease before adding the garlic and ginger. Otherwise, the finished sauce can taste greasy.

Buying ground beef in one-pound packages works well when cooking for two. Divide the package and freeze the remaining portion, or plan another dinner with it. My Tex Mex Ground Beef and Potatoes recipe is another easy option for your meal plan.

Low Sodium Soy Sauce

Soy sauce forms the base of the sauce and gives the beef its savory flavor. I recommend low sodium soy sauce so you have more control over the saltiness.

There is no need to salt the beef before cooking. Once the sauce has simmered, taste it before deciding whether it needs any additional seasoning.

Brown Sugar

A little brown sugar gives the sauce its sweetness and helps balance the soy sauce. For this small batch, one tablespoon is enough to make the sauce slightly sweet without overwhelming the beef.

If you prefer a less sweet dinner, start with two teaspoons. You can always stir in a little more after tasting the sauce.

Garlic and Ginger

Fresh garlic and ginger give this simple recipe plenty of flavor. Mince the garlic finely and grate the ginger so they spread evenly throughout the beef.

For convenience, refrigerated ginger paste also works. Check the package for its suggested substitution amount.

If you only have ground ginger, use ¼ teaspoon in place of the fresh ginger. The flavor will be slightly different, but it still works well in the sauce.

Toasted Sesame Oil and Rice Vinegar

Use toasted sesame oil for its deeper, nutty flavor. A single teaspoon is plenty for two servings.

Unseasoned rice vinegar adds a little acidity to balance the sugar and soy sauce. Seasoned rice vinegar contains added sugar and salt, so unseasoned is my first choice here.

Rice and Fresh Toppings

Plan on one cup of cooked rice per bowl. White rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice all work.

For a 20-minute dinner, use microwave rice or rice you have already cooked. If you start with uncooked rice, follow the package directions and allow additional time as needed.

For the toppings, keep things simple with shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, and green onions. Sesame seeds are optional, but they make a nice finishing touch.

How To Make Korean Ground Beef Bowls for Two

1. Prepare the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the low sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, water, and optional red pepper flakes.

Mixing the sauce before adding it to the skillet helps distribute the ingredients evenly. It also keeps you from measuring several ingredients over a hot pan.

Set the sauce aside while you brown the beef.

2. Brown the Beef

Place a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it into small pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula.

Cook for approximately five to seven minutes, stirring occasionally. Let the beef sit against the hot skillet between stirs so it has a chance to brown.

Drain any excess grease. Ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F when checked with a food thermometer. Food Safety and Inspection Service

3. Add the Garlic and Ginger

Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic and grated ginger.

Stir for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Keep them moving in the skillet so the garlic does not burn.

You do not need to cook these ingredients for several minutes. They will continue cooking once you add the sauce.

4. Simmer With the Sauce

Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and stir well.

Let the mixture simmer gently for two to three minutes. The sauce should reduce slightly and coat the beef while leaving a little moisture to spoon over the rice.

If it reduces too much, add a tablespoon of water and stir. You want juicy, flavorful beef rather than a dry mixture.

5. Assemble the Bowls

Warm the rice according to the package directions and divide it between two bowls.

Spoon the beef and any remaining sauce over the rice. Add the shredded carrots, cucumber slices, and green onions.

Finish with sesame seeds if desired, then serve immediately.

Easy Ways To Change It Up

One of the best things about this meal is how easily you can adjust it to what you have available.

Ground turkey or ground chicken can replace the beef. If the meat is very lean, add a small amount of neutral cooking oil to the skillet before cooking. Both ground turkey and ground chicken should reach 165°F.

You can also change the vegetables. Thinly sliced cabbage, steamed broccoli, or cooked green beans work well. If you have a bag of coleslaw mix in the refrigerator, use a handful as a quick topping.

For extra heat, add a small drizzle of sriracha to your finished bowl. This is an easy way to make one serving spicy while keeping the other mild.

If you want a smaller portion of rice, use half rice and half cooked cauliflower rice. The sauce adds plenty of flavor to both.

You can also add a fried egg to each bowl for a more filling dinner. Prepare the eggs in a separate skillet while the beef simmers.

Tips for the Best Results

Drain the grease before adding the sauce. This helps the sauce coat the beef without leaving an oily layer in the bowl.

Use toasted sesame oil sparingly. Its flavor is strong, and adding extra can overpower the garlic and ginger.

Avoid reducing the sauce until the skillet is dry. A little sauce left in the pan helps flavor the rice.

Keep the vegetables separate until serving. Fresh cucumber and carrots provide a crisp contrast to the warm beef.

Prepare the rice at the same time as the beef. Microwave rice keeps this dinner quick, but you can also start a pot of rice first and prepare the beef while it cooks.

These Korean Ground Beef Bowls for Two give you a quick dinner with very little preparation and plenty of ways to make it your own. Keep the sauce ingredients in your pantry, and you have another easy option whenever there is a half pound of ground beef ready to use.

Enjoy! Mary

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