Flavorful Korean Ground Beef Bowls Recipe Easy Sticky Ginger Soy Glaze
A quick and comforting Korean ground beef bowl with a sticky ginger soy glaze that comes together in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish balances sweet, salty, and a hint of spice for a deeply satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef (85% lean preferred)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15g) fresh ginger, grated
- 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce (regular or low-sodium)
- 2 tablespoons (25g) brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon (1g) red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 sliced green onions
- 1 tablespoon (9g) toasted sesame seeds
- 2 cups (about 370g) cooked white rice (short or medium grain)
- Optional: steamed or sautéed vegetables such as broccoli or snap peas
Instructions
- Cook 2 cups (about 370g) of white rice according to package instructions, about 15-20 minutes. Fluff and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon (15ml) sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound (450g) ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook 5-7 minutes until browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in 3 cloves minced garlic and 1 tablespoon (15g) grated fresh ginger. Cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce, 2 tablespoons (25g) brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon (1g) red pepper flakes (optional). Pour over the beef.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes sticky, coating the beef in a glossy glaze.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tablespoon (9g) toasted sesame seeds.
- Spoon the sticky ginger soy ground beef over warm cooked rice. Add steamed or sautéed vegetables if desired.
Notes
Simmer the soy sauce and sugar mixture gently to avoid bitterness and achieve a smooth, sticky glaze. Add a splash of water if the glaze thickens too much or starts to burn. Fresh grated ginger is preferred for brightness. Let the meat rest off heat for a minute before serving. Use leftover rice to save time. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner protein alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 of
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: Korean ground beef bowl, ginger soy glaze, quick dinner, sticky glaze, weeknight meal, easy recipe, savory beef bowl