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This Korean-inspired dish is flavorful and simple to make, with savory ground beef served over rice. It’s a delicious combination of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger, creating a rich and slightly sweet sauce. The dish is garnished with fresh green onions and sesame seeds, making it a perfect meal for a weeknight dinner.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
¼ cup soy sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar (adjust to taste)
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
½ tsp black pepper
Cooked white rice, for serving
Green onions, sliced thin, for garnish
Sesame seeds, for garnish
1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice (optional for tang)

Directions

Brown the Ground Beef:
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain any excess fat, leaving a small amount for flavor.
Add Garlic and Ginger:
Stir in the minced garlic and ginger to the beef and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Make the Sauce:
Add soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer for 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the beef.
Add Acidity (Optional):
For a touch of acidity, add rice vinegar or lime juice at the end of cooking.
Serve:
Serve the beef over cooked white rice and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Nutrients

Calories: Approx. 350-400 kcal per serving
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 26g
Sodium: 700mg

The Ground Beef: A Hearty Protein Base

The heart of this dish is the ground beef, which provides a rich and satisfying base. Ground beef is a popular choice in many Korean-inspired dishes due to its versatility and ability to absorb the flavors of the sauce. When browned in a skillet, ground beef develops a deep, savory flavor that complements the sweet and spicy sauce.

Choosing lean ground beef for this recipe ensures that the dish remains flavorful without being overly greasy. As the beef cooks, it becomes tender and juicy, making it the perfect pairing with the rice and sauce. Ground beef also provides a great source of protein, making this dish both hearty and filling.

The Sauce: A Flavor Explosion

What sets this dish apart is the sauce—rich, savory, and slightly sweet with a subtle heat. The base of the sauce consists of soy sauce and hoisin sauce, both of which bring umami depth and sweetness to the dish. Soy sauce provides a salty, savory foundation, while hoisin sauce adds a rich, slightly sweet and tangy layer of flavor.

Brown sugar is added to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce and enhance the overall sweetness, creating a well-rounded sauce. Sesame oil, a staple in Korean cuisine, adds a nutty flavor that elevates the sauce and provides a distinct richness. Fresh garlic and minced ginger bring aromatic depth, infusing the sauce with savory and slightly spicy notes.

For those who enjoy a bit of heat, red pepper flakes are an optional addition. The red pepper flakes give the sauce a subtle spice that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the brown sugar and hoisin sauce, making the dish more complex and satisfying.

Cooking the Sauce: Simmer and Thicken

Once the ground beef is browned and cooked through, the sauce ingredients are added to the skillet. The soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using) are stirred together to create a cohesive and flavorful mixture. Allowing the sauce to simmer for 3-5 minutes gives the flavors a chance to meld together, thickening the sauce and allowing it to coat the beef perfectly.

To further thicken the sauce and create a velvety texture, cornstarch can be added, though this is optional. If you prefer a thicker, more luxurious sauce, the cornstarch slurry can be mixed into the sauce, which will help it cling to the beef and rice more effectively. This step ensures that every bite is full of flavor and sauce.

The Rice: A Perfect Base

For this dish, white rice serves as the ideal base. The soft, fluffy rice soaks up the rich sauce, providing the perfect neutral foundation for the flavorful beef. You can use jasmine rice, basmati, or even brown rice depending on your preference. For a healthier alternative, cauliflower rice can be used to reduce the carb content, especially if you’re following a low-carb or keto diet.

The rice provides a satisfying and comforting texture that contrasts beautifully with the savory beef and thick sauce. The mild flavor of the rice allows the boldness of the sauce to shine through, making each bite of the dish well-balanced and delicious.

Garnishing the Dish: Fresh and Flavorful

Once the beef is coated in the sauce and mixed with the rice, the dish is ready to be served. However, the finishing touches—garnishing with green onions and sesame seeds—elevate the dish to the next level. The green onions add a fresh, bright flavor that cuts through the richness of the beef and sauce, offering a crisp bite that balances the heaviness of the dish.

Sesame seeds, sprinkled on top of the dish, add a slight crunch and nutty flavor, giving the dish additional texture and flavor complexity. These garnishes provide a beautiful pop of color and freshness, making the dish look as good as it tastes.

Why Korean-Inspired Ground Beef Over Rice is Perfect for Weeknight Meals

Korean-Inspired Ground Beef Over Rice is the ultimate weeknight meal for several reasons. First, it’s quick and easy to make. With the ground beef cooking in just a few minutes and the sauce simmering in less than 10 minutes, the dish comes together in about 30 minutes or less. This makes it an ideal option for busy evenings when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen but still want a flavorful, satisfying meal.

Second, the ingredients are simple and easy to find. Most of the ingredients for this dish are pantry staples, and the recipe requires only a few items that are likely already on hand, making it both convenient and cost-effective. You don’t need to shop for any exotic ingredients or specialty items, which makes it easy to prepare this dish at any time.

Finally, this dish is versatile. You can easily adjust the seasoning to suit your taste preferences. If you like a little more heat, simply add extra red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha. If you prefer a tangier flavor, a splash of lime juice or rice vinegar can be added to balance the sweetness of the sauce. The dish can also be served with different types of rice, vegetables, or even noodles, making it adaptable to various dietary needs or flavor preferences.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Korean-Inspired Ground Beef Over Rice contains approximately 350-400 calories, making it a filling yet not overly indulgent meal. The dish provides 26 grams of protein from the ground beef, making it a great source of lean protein. With 22 grams of fat, including 5 grams of saturated fat, it is a rich meal that is satisfying and hearty.

In terms of carbohydrates, the dish contains 20 grams per serving, which is a moderate amount, and 1 gram of fiber. The sugar content is 10 grams, mainly from the brown sugar and hoisin sauce, giving the dish its sweet and savory flavor. The sodium content is around 700mg per serving, which can be adjusted by using low-sodium soy sauce or adjusting the salt levels.

This dish also offers small amounts of vitamin A (117 IU) and vitamin C (4mg), as well as calcium (51mg) and iron (1mg), which contribute to overall health.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Korean-Inspired Ground Beef Over Rice is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that combines the savory richness of ground beef with the sweet, spicy, and umami-packed sauce. It’s the perfect weeknight meal that’s quick to prepare, satisfying, and versatile enough to suit different tastes. Whether served with white rice or cauliflower rice, this dish offers a balanced mix of protein, carbs, and flavor. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, Korean-Inspired Ground Beef Over Rice is sure to become a go-to recipe for busy nights when you crave something delicious and comforting.