Korean Beef Bowls are the perfect healthy dupe to traditional beef bulgogi. This recipe is made with ground beef in a tangy and spicy sauce, served with sticky rice, coleslaw mix, cucumber and a drizzle of homemade spicy mayo. Looking for an easy weeknight meal that's packed with flavor? Keep reading to learn more!
Jump to RecipeIf you like loaded bowl recipes, you have to try this Philly Roll Sushi Bowl, Dragon Roll Sushi Bowl or this Soul Fool in a Bowl recipe!
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RECIPE VIDEO
WHAT IS A KOREAN BEEF BOWL?
This Korean Beef Bowl is the perfect week night meal. It's quick to prepare and besides preparing the sauces, requires minimal base ingredients and prep.
With that said, the base of this recipe, you are using ground meat (beef or ground meat of your choice) and a starch, such as rice. The sauces in this recipe are the next key ingredients preparing a sweet, tangy, spicy and sort of sticky brown Asian style sauce and one of my favorites, homemade spicy mayo!
This recipe is beginner friendly, you will certainly add this to your weekly rotation. It is perfect for a busy week night and offers something different if that is what you are looking for.
IS THIS SIMILAR TO BEEF BULGOGI?
If you have never tried traditional Korean style beef bulgogi, this is the perfect introduction to this flavorful dish.
Traditional beef bulgogi holds flavors of sweet and savory. Thinly sliced beef is marinated in a soy sauce based mixture and grilled for a satisfying grilled flavor.
To explain, having a bit of history and understanding of traditional dishes always connects a meal with its origin and true heritage.
INGREDIENTS
Beef Marinade
- Soy Sauce. Use what soy sauce you have on hand. For this recipe, I used light soy sauce as I am watching my sodium intake.
- Gochujang. This red chili paste is savory, sweet and spicy. It is a popular Korean ingredients and works well in most Asian flavored sauces.
- Garlic. For this recipe, I used garlic paste. But freshly minced garlic works great as well.
- Ginger. Ginger paste is used as well, freshly grated ginger also works.
- Sesame Oil. This is my favorite brand to use. But use what you have on hand.
- Brown Sugar. This ingredient helps to balance the ingredients in the sauce and adds the sweet flair needed to balance the heat.
Sriracha "Spicy" Mayo
- Mayo. The base of the ingredient of course. Kewpie Mayo works the best for spicy/sriracha mayo.
- Sriracha. The second most important ingredient to prepare this sauce, do not omit.
- Sesame Oil. A lot of recipes for spicy or sriracha will not require this ingredient but it is
- Garlic. Garlic paste works best for this sauce for the best consistency. If not, finely mince or even roast garlic.
- Soy Sauce
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS
- Onion. White onion works best for this recipe.
- Green Onion. Green onion will be used to flavor the ground meat after it's cooked and for garnish purposes.
- Ground Beef. You can use your favorite ground meat for this recipe. When I created this recipe, I used ground lamb. Use what works best for you.
- Cole Slaw Mix. I used a bag of mix similar to this one. It works perfectly with the flavors and ingredients in this recipe.
- Cucumber. Fresh sliced cucumber add the perfect texture to this recipe and cleanses the palate while you enjoy the vast flavors.
- Sesame Seeds. Used for garnish, can certainly omit if you do not have it on hand.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST KOREAN BEEF BOWL RECIPE
Prepare the Sticky Rice
First, it's best to prepare the rice as it will take the most time to prepare. As mentioned, this recipe is perfect for the weeknight so if you can prepare rice (which when prepared this way), you will have the rice prepared in under 20 minutes!
Follow the instructions on the back of the rice bag or box that you are using. This is the brand I prefer to use when cooking Asian inspired recipes. The rice is ready in less than 30 minutes and has a sticky texture to it, perfect for this style dish!
Prepare the Korean Beef Sauce
While the rice is being prepared, gathering, measuring and mixing the ingredients for the meat sauce should be next.
In a bowl or measuring cup, add the soy sauce, gochujang, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic and ginger. Then, whisk the ingredients until thoroughly combined and set aside until later use.
Additional Ingredients to Prepare
A quick tip to point out (or something to always consider) when preparing recipes is to always prepare the ingredients first for maximum results. This 5-10 minute task ultimately saves time to leave you less frantic when preparing a new recipe.
With that said, chop the onion, green onion and cucumber and set aside.
Prepare the Ground Meat/Beef
In a medium sized skillet. Turn the heat to medium/high heat and add in the ground meat. Begin breaking the meat down to small bits and at this point, you can add a little dry seasonings such as black pepper, garlic or onion powder if you desire. This step is not in the written recipe so it is optional.
Next, after the ground meat is fully cooked and almost crispy, pour in the beef sauce and stir until well combined. Turn the heat off and give the beef a final stir and sprinkle in green onions.
How to Plate the Korean Beef Bowl
In a bowl, pour in about ½ to 1 cup rice to a bowl. Then, add the cooked Korean flavored beef (or meat of your choice) on top of the rice (about ½ cup protein). Next, top with about ¼ cup of coleslaw mix, sliced cucumber and drizzle spicy/sriracha mayo on top.
And that is is, you are ready to enjoy the recipe!
RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Feel free to cook with your ground meat of choice. In this recipe, I used ground lamb and it was perfect.
- If you cannot find gochujang, sriracha is always a great second option.
- This recipe is perfect for meal prep. Simply prepare the rice and ground meat mixture and place in reusable containers. The cabbage, cucumber and spicy mayo drizzle can be packaged separately.
- Simply reheat the rice and beef mixture for about one minute, top with additional toppings and sauce and enjoy!
- For less carbs pair with zucchini or cucumber noodles. Pairing with riced cauliflower or quinoa works great too.
QUESTIONS YOU HAVE AND THE ANSWERS!
Are Korean Beef Bowls good for meal prep?
Yes, absolutely! This Korean Beef Bowl recipe is perfect for meal prep. As mentioned, simply store the flavored beef and rice mixture separately from the "cold" toppings and spicy mayo. Reheat in the microwave for about one minute, top with "cold" toppings and enjoy.
Can I substitute the beef for a healthier or other option?
Watching your meat intake? You can certainly substitute ground beef for a plethora of meats such as ground turkey, chicken, lamb, or vegan crumbled meat. Tofu or jackfruit is also a great option if you're looking for a meatless option.
Are Korean Beef Bowls Healthy?
For the most part yes, per serving, this recipe is absolutely healthy if maintained with a balanced diet and exercise. For less sugar, replace the brown sugar with honey and soy sauce with liquid aminos.
All in all, this recipe is absolutely clean and beats any take-out meal idea.
Wanting to up your protein? Add a fried or sunny side up egg, yum!
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST KOREAN BEEF BOWLS!
THANKS FOR TRYING THIS KOREAN BEEF BOWL RECIPE, I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT
The Best Korean Beef Bowl
Ingredients
Beef Marinade
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Gochujang
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Paste fresh minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Ginger Paste fresh grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
- 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
Spicy Mayo
- ½ cup Mayo
- ¼ cup Sriracha
- 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Paste garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce
Additional Ingredients
- ¾ cup Onion
- 1 lb Ground Beef ground meat of your choice
- 3 tablespoon Green Onion roughly chopped
- 1 cup Cole Slaw Mix
- 1 medium Cucumber sliced
- 1 tablespoon Sesame Seeds
Instructions
Beef Marinade
- While the rice is being prepared, in a bowl or measuring cup, add the soy sauce, gochujang, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic and ginger.
- Then, whisk the ingredients until thoroughly combined and set aside until later use.
Additional Ingredients to Prepare
- Chop the onion, green onion and cucumber and set aside. Measure the ingredients for the spicy mayo and stir ingredients till smooth and combined, set aside.
Prepare the Korean Beef
- In a medium sized skillet. Turn the heat to medium/high heat and add in the ground meat.
- Begin breaking the meat down to small bits and at this point, you can add a little dry seasonings such as black pepper, garlic or onion powder if you desire. This step is not in the written recipe so it is optional.
- Next, after the ground meat is fully cooked and almost crispy, pour in the beef sauce and stir until well combined.
- Turn the heat off and give the beef a final stir and sprinkle in green onions.
How to Plate The Best Korean Beef Bowls
- In a bowl, pour in about ½ to 1 cup rice to a bowl.
- Then, add the cooked Korean flavored beef (or meat of your choice) on top of the rice (about ½ cup protein).
- Next, top with about ¼ cup of coleslaw mix, sliced cucumber and drizzle spicy/sriracha mayo on top.
- Serve and enjoy!
If you try this recipe, I'd love to see it! Share it with me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or Pinterest.
Boo says
I am preparing this recipe today. I’m nervous but excited to call this “what’s for dinner tonight”!! It looks great! I can smell it and taste it. Hope that my
Presentation wil look half as good! If not, I’ll make it again. My husband loves bowls!! They are the thing! Thanks for offering this recipe this week! I’ll keep you posted.
Carita says
Well, I sure hope you enjoy the recipe. 🙂