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Korean Ground Beef Bowl Recipe Quick Stir Fry

Korean Ground Beef Bowl Recipe

A quick and flavourful weeknight meal featuring savoury-sweet ground beef in a rich Korean-inspired sauce, served over fluffy rice with fresh toppings. This delicious and satisfying dinner comes together in about 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Korean
Calories: 530

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g lean beef mince 15-20% fat is ideal for flavour
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil toasted
  • 1 medium brown onion finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cm piece of fresh ginger grated
  • Cooked rice to serve (about 400-500g cooked weight)
For the Sauce
  • 80 ml low-sodium soy sauce
  • 50 g dark brown soft sugar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp gochujang Korean chilli paste, optional for a little heat
  • 1 tsp cornflour
For the Toppings & Garnish
  • 2 spring onions finely sliced
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • Optional: shredded carrot sliced cucumber, kimchi, fried egg

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl or jug, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: the soy sauce, dark brown sugar, rice vinegar, gochujang (if using), and cornflour. Whisk until the sugar and cornflour have completely dissolved. Set aside.
  2. Sauté the Onion: Heat the sesame oil in a large, non-stick frying pan or skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to soften and turn translucent.
  3. Brown the Beef: Add the beef mince to the pan with the onions. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break it up into small pieces. I find that leaving it undisturbed for a couple of minutes at a time helps it develop a fantastic brown crust. Continue to cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring periodically, until the beef is well-browned and any liquid has evaporated.
  4. Add the Aromatics: Turn the heat down to medium. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan. Stir continuously for about 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to let them burn, as they can become bitter.
  5. Simmer with the Sauce: Give the sauce mixture a final whisk and pour it all into the pan with the beef. Stir everything together to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it bubble away for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened slightly and beautifully coats the beef.
  6. Assemble the Bowls: To serve, divide the cooked rice among four bowls. Spoon the Korean ground beef mixture over the rice. Garnish generously with the sliced spring onions and toasted sesame seeds. Add any of your other favourite toppings, like a fried egg or some crunchy kimchi, and serve immediately.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.