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Korean Ground Beef Bowl Recipe - Savory Soy and Ginger

Korean Ground Beef Bowl Recipe

A quick and flavorful Korean-inspired dish featuring savory ground beef in a sweet and spicy sauce. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner and ready in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Korean
Calories: 360

Ingredients
  

For the Beef
  • 500 g lean beef mince 15-20% fat content works well
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
For the Sauce
  • 80 ml low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1-2 tsp gochujang Korean chilli paste, optional for heat
  • 1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp cold water a cornflour slurry
For Serving
  • Cooked jasmine or short-grain rice
  • 2 spring onions finely sliced
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • Optional: Soft-boiled or fried eggs kimchi, sliced red chilli

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, and gochujang (if using) until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
  2. Brown the Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan or skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the beef mince and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for 5-7 minutes, until it is nicely browned and cooked through.
  3. Drain the Fat: Carefully tilt the pan and spoon out any excess fat. This step is important as it prevents the final sauce from being greasy.
  4. Add Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan with the beef. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until they become fragrant. Be careful not to let them burn.
  5. Simmer the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the pan. Bring it to a gentle simmer and let it bubble for 1-2 minutes. The sauce will begin to reduce slightly.
  6. Thicken the Dish: Pour in the cornflour slurry and continue to stir. What works best for me is to keep stirring constantly as the sauce thickens, which usually takes about 1-2 minutes. It will become glossy and coat the beef mince beautifully.
  7. Serve: Spoon the Korean ground beef mixture over bowls of hot steamed rice. Garnish generously with sliced spring onions, toasted sesame seeds, and any other toppings you desire. A fried egg on top is highly recommended!

Notes

For a complete meal, serve with a fried egg and a side of kimchi. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.