Korean Ground Beef Rice Bowl with Spicy Gochujang Sauce
A quick and easy Korean-inspired ground beef rice bowl featuring a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce, perfect for busy weeknights or solo dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 4 cups cooked white rice (about 800g)
- 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Optional veggies: shredded carrot, thin cucumber slices, or steamed spinach
Instructions
- Prepare the rice: Cook 4 cups (800g) of white rice according to package instructions, about 15-20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and keep warm.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons gochujang, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger until smooth. Set aside.
- Cook the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook 5-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink, stirring occasionally.
- Drain excess fat if needed to avoid greasiness.
- Add the sauce: Pour the prepared gochujang sauce over the beef. Stir well to coat evenly. Cook 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and beef is glossy with slight caramelization.
- Assemble bowls: Divide warm rice between four bowls. Top each with a scoop of the spicy beef mixture.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Add optional veggies if desired.
- Serve immediately, optionally topped with a fried egg.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure proper browning. Use fresh garlic and ginger for best flavor. Toast sesame seeds for added crunch and nuttiness. Adjust spice level by varying gochujang amount. Splash water if sauce thickens too quickly. Prep garlic and ginger in advance to save time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximatel
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: Korean ground beef, gochujang sauce, spicy beef bowl, quick dinner, easy Korean recipe, weeknight meal