These 20-Minute Korean Beef Bowls offer a shortcut version of the traditional Korean Bulgogi Beef, served over a bed of white rice. The dish features a sweet, salty, and tangy sauce made with soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Perfect for busy weeknights, these bowls are not only quick and easy but also freezer-friendly, making them a great option for meal prep.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon ginger, minced

• 1 lb lean ground beef

• ¼ cup light brown sugar

• ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce

• 2 teaspoons sesame oil

• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or more to taste)

• Green onions for garnish

• Sesame seeds for garnish

• White rice for serving

Directions

1. Cook the Beef:
   Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the ground beef, crumbling as it cooks. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until browned. Drain any excess fat.

2. Add Garlic and Ginger:
   Stir in the minced garlic and ginger, and cook for an additional minute.

3. Prepare the Sauce:
   In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.

4. Combine the Beef and Sauce:
   Pour the sauce into the cooked beef and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened.

5. Garnish and Serve:
   Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve the beef over a bed of white rice.

Nutrients

• Calories: 269 per serving

• Carbohydrates: 16g

• Protein: 25g

• Fat: 11g

• Saturated Fat: 3g

• Cholesterol: 70mg

• Sodium: 614mg

• Potassium: 448mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 14g

• Vitamin A: 74 IU

• Vitamin C: 1mg

• Calcium: 28mg

• Iron: 3mg

Why You’ll Love 20-Minute Korean Beef Bowls

These Korean Beef Bowls are everything you want in a quick weeknight meal: flavorful, satisfying, and incredibly easy to prepare. The sauce brings together a perfect balance of sweetness, saltiness, and a touch of heat from the red pepper flakes. The ground beef cooks quickly and absorbs the sauce, resulting in a tender and juicy filling that pairs wonderfully with a simple bed of white rice.

In addition to the fantastic flavor, this dish is a great option for meal prep. You can make a large batch of the beef, freeze it, and have it ready to go for future meals. Whether served as a quick dinner or part of a meal prep plan, these Korean Beef Bowls are sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

The Ingredients That Make 20-Minute Korean Beef Bowls Special

• Ground Beef: The foundation of the dish, lean ground beef provides protein and a juicy texture. It’s also quick to cook, making it ideal for a speedy meal.

• Garlic and Ginger: These aromatic ingredients bring depth and warmth to the dish. The garlic adds a savory richness, while the ginger offers a slight heat and refreshing kick.

• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance out the saltiness of the soy sauce and the heat from the red pepper flakes.

• Soy Sauce: Low sodium soy sauce gives the dish its savory, umami flavor without being too salty.

• Sesame Oil: A key ingredient that adds a nutty, aromatic flavor to the sauce, which is essential in Korean cooking.

• Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch of red pepper flakes adds just the right amount of heat. You can adjust the quantity based on your spice preference.

• Green Onions and Sesame Seeds: These are optional garnishes that add color, freshness, and a bit of crunch to the dish.

• White Rice: The perfect base for soaking up the flavorful beef and sauce.

How to Make 20-Minute Korean Beef Bowls

This dish is incredibly easy and quick to prepare. Here’s how to make it in just 20 minutes:

1. Cook the Beef

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

• Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until the beef is browned. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.

2. Add Garlic and Ginger

• Stir in the minced garlic and ginger, and cook for an additional 1 minute, allowing the aromas to infuse the beef.

3. Prepare the Sauce

• In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. This creates the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.

4. Combine the Beef and Sauce

• Pour the prepared sauce into the cooked beef mixture. Stir to combine, then let the beef simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened.

5. Garnish and Serve

• Once the sauce has thickened, remove the pan from the heat.

• Garnish the beef with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.

• Serve the beef mixture over a bed of white rice for a complete meal.

Nutritional Benefits of 20-Minute Korean Beef Bowls

These Korean Beef Bowls offer a satisfying, balanced meal with a combination of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. Here’s a breakdown of the key nutrients:

• Calories: Each serving contains 269 calories, making it a moderate-calorie dish that’s filling yet light.

• Protein: With 25 grams of protein per serving, the ground beef provides a healthy amount of lean protein, which is essential for muscle repair and overall health.

• Fat: The total fat content is 11 grams per serving, including 3 grams of saturated fat. Most of the fat comes from the sesame oil and the beef, both of which contribute to the dish’s richness.

• Carbohydrates: Each serving has 16 grams of carbohydrates, providing a source of energy. The carbs mainly come from the rice and the small amount of sugar in the sauce.

• Fiber: The dish provides 1 gram of fiber, thanks to the vegetables (green onions and the small amount of garlic and ginger).

• Sugar: With 14 grams of sugar per serving, the sweetness mainly comes from the brown sugar in the sauce, providing a balanced level of sweetness.

• Sodium: The sodium content is 614 mg per serving, which is moderate. If you’re watching your sodium intake, you can reduce the amount of soy sauce or opt for a low-sodium version.

• Potassium: Each serving provides 448 mg of potassium, which is important for heart health and maintaining healthy muscle function.

Serving Suggestions

These 20-Minute Korean Beef Bowls are versatile and can be served in various ways:

• With Vegetables: Pair the beef with steamed or sautéed vegetables like broccoli, bok choy, or carrots for a more balanced meal.

• As a Bowl: Add other ingredients like a fried egg, pickled vegetables, or kimchi to make it even more flavorful and hearty.

• With Noodles: Instead of rice, you can serve the beef mixture over noodles like soba or udon for a different twist.

• Meal Prep: These bowls are perfect for meal prep. Make a larger batch of the beef, store it in the fridge, and serve it over freshly cooked rice throughout the week.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these 20-Minute Korean Beef Bowls are a quick, flavorful, and nutritious meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With the combination of tender beef, a savory-sweet sauce, and a bit of heat from the red pepper flakes, this dish is both satisfying and comforting. It’s easy to prepare, and with the option to freeze or meal prep, it’s a convenient choice for anyone looking for a delicious, homemade dish in no time. Try these Korean Beef Bowls today and enjoy the bold, delicious flavors of Korean cuisine in just 20 minutes!