Description
This savory Korean ground beef stir-fry is fast, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights. Crumbled beef is simmered in a sweet-salty soy sauce with garlic, ginger, and a touch of heat, then finished with green onions and sesame. Serve it over hot rice for a comforting, takeout-style bowl made right at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80–90% lean)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (plus extra for garnish)
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to package directions so it’s ready when the beef is done.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the minced garlic and ginger. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spatula and cook for 5–7 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes until the sugar dissolves.
- Pour the sauce over the cooked beef and stir well to coat. Let it cook for 2–3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more red pepper flakes for extra heat or a splash of soy sauce if you prefer it saltier.
- Spoon the Korean ground beef over bowls of hot cooked rice.
- Garnish with additional green onions and sesame seeds if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use low-sodium soy sauce so you can better control the salt level.
- The sauce will taste strong in the pan but balances perfectly once spooned over plain rice.
- For the best texture, avoid overcooking the garlic and ginger; they should be fragrant, not browned.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (beef only, rice not included)
- Calories: 320 kcal (approx.)
- Sugar: 9 g (approx.)
- Sodium: 820 mg (approx., varies by soy sauce)
- Fat: 20 g (approx.)
- Saturated Fat: 6 g (approx.)
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g (approx.)
- Trans Fat: 0–0.5 g (approx., depends on beef)
- Carbohydrates: 10 g (approx.)
- Fiber: 0.5 g (approx.)
- Protein: 24 g (approx.)
- Cholesterol: 80 mg (approx.)
Keywords: Korean ground beef, beef stir fry, Korean beef bowl, easy dinner, 30 minute meal, rice bowl, ground beef recipe, weeknight dinner