Name: Korean Ground Beef Bowls Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 fat; ¼ cup brown sugar, packed; ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce; 2 teaspoons sesame oil; 1 teaspoon sriracha, or more to taste; 1 teaspoon ginger, grated; 3 cloves garlic, minced; ¼ cup kewpie mayonnaise; 2 teaspoons sriracha sauce, or more to taste; 2 teaspoons lime juice; 2 cups cooked rice; 2 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced; 1 cup kimchi, optional; 3 green onions, thinly sliced; ½ teaspoon sesame seeds

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 31 reviews

If you are craving a dish full of bold flavors and comforting warmth, then you need to try this Korean Ground Beef Bowls Recipe. It’s an irresistible combination of savory, sweet, and spicy that comes together quickly with simple pantry ingredients. This meal is a perfect weeknight winner because it’s easy to prepare, packed with protein, and offers a delightful balance of textures that will keep you coming back for more.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a white plate in the center with a block of pink ground meat. Surrounding it are small white bowls with different ingredients: chopped green onions in a speckled bowl above, orange-red kimchi on the right, a light brown sauce in a plain bowl next to it, white rice in another white bowl at the bottom right, and sliced green cucumbers in a speckled bowl below the meat. On the left side, there are smaller bowls with beige sesame seeds, a yellowish paste, a brown crumbly powder, finely chopped garlic, a dark liquid in a small cup, and a glass pitcher with black soy sauce. All bowls are set on a white marbled background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic of this Korean Ground Beef Bowls Recipe lies in its straightforward, essential ingredients. Each component brings something unique to the bowl — from the deep umami of soy sauce to the bright kick of sriracha, and the fresh crunch of cucumbers to the warm nuttiness of sesame oil.

1 pound ground beef, 80/20 fat: The perfect ratio gives juicy, flavorful meat that won’t dry out while cooking.
¼ cup brown sugar, packed: Adds a lovely sweetness to balance the savory notes.
⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce: Provides rich umami and saltiness without overpowering.
2 teaspoons sesame oil: Brings a toasty, nutty aroma that’s essential in Korean cooking.
1 teaspoon sriracha, or more to taste: Infuses a gentle heat that wakes up the palate.
1 teaspoon ginger, grated: Adds freshness and a subtle zing to the meat.
3 cloves garlic, minced: Classic aromatics that deepen the flavor profile.
¼ cup kewpie mayonnaise: Creates a creamy, mellow spicy mayo drizzle.
2 teaspoons sriracha sauce: For that spicy mayo kick.
2 teaspoons lime juice: Adds a citrusy brightness to the mayo to cut through richness.
2 cups cooked rice: The perfect neutral base to soak up all that delicious sauce.
2 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced: Adds a refreshing crunch and vibrant color.
1 cup kimchi, optional: For traditional tang and extra layers of flavor.
3 green onions, thinly sliced: Provide a mild onion bite and a pop of green.
½ teaspoon sesame seeds: Sprinkle on top for texture and visual appeal.

How to Make Korean Ground Beef Bowls Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Sauce and Meat

Start by mixing the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sriracha, grated ginger, and minced garlic in a bowl. This blend is what elevates the ground beef from ordinary to mouthwateringly flavorful. Then, cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart until browned and cooked through. Pour in the sauce mixture and stir well, letting it simmer until slightly thickened and the beef is evenly coated.

Step 2: Make the Spicy Mayo

While the beef simmers, whisk together the kewpie mayonnaise, sriracha, and lime juice in a small bowl. This spicy mayo adds creaminess and a zesty kick that perfectly complements the savory beef — plus it’s so simple to make!

Step 3: Prepare the Fresh Toppings

Thinly slice the Persian cucumbers and green onions, and if you want to add kimchi, get it ready as well. These fresh toppings are vital because they balance richness with a cool, crisp contrast, making every bite exciting.

Step 4: Assemble the Bowls

Divide warm cooked rice between bowls, spoon over the Korean ground beef, and drizzle generously with the spicy mayo. Then, top with sliced cucumbers, green onions, kimchi if using, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that final touch.

How to Serve Korean Ground Beef Bowls Recipe

The image shows four frames of a cooking process on a white marbled background. In the first frame, there is a white speckled bowl with a dark brown sauce mixed with small bits and a metal whisk inside it. The second frame shows light brown cooked ground meat with a few pink parts in a white frying pan with a yellow handle. The third frame shows the meat fully cooked to a darker deep brown, spread evenly in the same white frying pan with some sauce stains on the sides. The final frame has the cooked meat covered with chopped, bright green spring onions scattered on top, still in the same frying pan. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To make your Korean Ground Beef Bowls Recipe truly pop, garnishing is key. Sesame seeds add a subtle nutty crunch, while thinly sliced green onions bring a vibrant green color and mild onion bite. Don’t skip the kimchi if you love a little extra tang and spice — it adds authenticity and complexity to the dish.

Side Dishes

This bowl works well as a full meal on its own, but if you want to round out your table, consider serving with a simple side of steamed or stir-fried vegetables like bok choy, snap peas, or broccoli. These greens add extra nutrients and bulk without stealing the spotlight from your star dish.

Creative Ways to Present

Got guests? Try serving the Korean Ground Beef Bowls Recipe in a build-your-own bowl style. Arrange the beef, rice, spicy mayo, and toppings in individual serving dishes so everyone can customize their bowl exactly how they like it. It’s interactive, fun, and makes the meal feel special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can store leftover Korean Ground Beef Bowls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the toppings like cucumbers and kimchi separate to maintain their texture and freshness.

Freezing

Feel free to freeze the cooked ground beef mixture in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Just avoid freezing the rice or fresh toppings as they don’t reheat well after freezing.

Reheating

When ready to enjoy leftovers, gently reheat the beef mixture in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to keep it moist. Warm the rice separately, then assemble your bowl fresh with chilled toppings and spicy mayo for the best experience.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a leaner option and will work well with the sauce, though it may be slightly less juicy. Just be sure not to overcook it to keep it tender.

Is this dish very spicy?

The Korean Ground Beef Bowls Recipe has a nice kick from the sriracha, but you can easily adjust the heat level by reducing or increasing the sriracha amount to suit your taste.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Simply swap the soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos, and double-check that your sriracha is gluten-free as well.

What is the best type of rice to use?

Short grain white rice or jasmine rice works beautifully here because they’re slightly sticky and absorb the sauce well, but any cooked rice you have on hand is fine.

Can I prep any parts of this recipe in advance?

Definitely. The ground beef mixture and spicy mayo can both be made a day ahead, which makes assembling the bowls a breeze on busy days.

Final Thoughts

This Korean Ground Beef Bowls Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug after a long day. With its vibrant flavors, easy prep, and satisfying ingredients, it’s sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be dreaming up excuses to make it again and again.

Korean Ground Beef Bowls Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need