Korean Beef Bowl (Printer-Friendly)

Seasoned ground beef in spicy gochujang sauce over rice with pickled vegetables and kimchi.

# What You Need:

→ For the Beef

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
05 - 3 tbsp gochujang
06 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
07 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
08 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
09 - 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
10 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ For the Pickled Vegetables

11 - 1/2 cup carrot, julienned
12 - 1/2 cup daikon radish, julienned
13 - 1/2 cup rice vinegar
14 - 1 tbsp sugar
15 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ For Serving

16 - 4 cups cooked white rice
17 - 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
18 - 1/2 cup radish, thinly sliced
19 - 1 cup kimchi, chopped
20 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a small bowl, combine rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir until dissolved. Add julienned carrot and daikon radish, mix well, and set aside to pickle.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Stir in gochujang, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the beef. Remove from heat and stir in half the green onions.
04 - Divide cooked rice among 4 bowls. Top each with generous portion of beef mixture. Arrange pickled vegetables, cucumber, radish, and kimchi around the beef. Garnish with remaining green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
05 - Serve immediately while beef and rice are warm.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • Fast and Easy: From prep to plate in just 35 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.
  • Complex Flavor Profile: A perfect harmony of spicy, sweet, and tangy notes that keep every bite interesting.
  • Customizable: Easily adapted for different dietary needs, including dairy-free and gluten-free options.
02 -
  • Manage Allergens: Always verify labels for soy and sesame. Note that kimchi may contain seafood like fish sauce or shrimp.
  • Rice Options: While white rice is traditional, brown rice offers a nuttier flavor and extra fiber.
  • Vegetable Prep: Use a mandoline or a sharp knife to julienne the carrots and daikon thinly, ensuring they absorb the pickling liquid quickly.
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