Korean Ground Beef Bulgogi Bowl

This Korean ground beef recipe makes an easy Korean beef bulgogi bowl within 20 minutes. It is perhaps one of the most satisfying ground beef recipes, and you get to enjoy an authentic Korean taste without marinating the beef for a long time. A perfect budget dinner!

Korean beef bowl with ground beef

If you are looking for good Asian ground beef recipes, add this Korean ground beef bulgogi recipe to your repertoir. It transforms a pound of ground beef into a healthy Korean beef bowl in no time.

Traditional bulgogi requires a long marinating time and needs some prep work before you start cooking. It makes a wonderful Korean beef dish, no doubt.

However, if you are in a time crunch, but need something quick to feed yourself and your family, this recipe will come to the rescue. It’s healthy, if using lean ground beef, and affordable– a perfect budget meal.

If you would like another quick bulgogi dish with a western twist, try my Philly style bulgogi cheesesteak. It’s quick, delicious, and everyone would love it.

Save this ground beef bulgogi recipe: When you feel adventurous enough to make authentic bibimbap (Korean mixed rice with ground beef and vegetables), this easy bulgogi recipe will save you a ton of time preparing the beef as a part of the bibimbap making process.

What to eat with Korean ground beef bulgogi

• Rice or noodle – If you want to serve this recipe as a Korean beef rice bowl, cooked rice is a must, of course. But plain noodles or soba noodles also make a nice accompaniment for this Korean beef bowl.
• Kimchi – if you love kimchi and have a jar of kimchi in your refrigerator, it makes a great meal together.
  • Try my easy vegan kimchi if you prefer mild flavored kimchi.
• Vegetable – Use any vegetable of your choice. Steamed broccoli, zucchini, or green beans go particularly well with this beef recipe.
• Simple Korean side dishes – If you want to stretch your savory muscles a bit, try my Korean cucumber salad, soybean sprout side dish, and spinach side dish. They are all quick to make, within 15 minutes, and each makes a wonderful one dish meal.

Recipe Ingredients

• ground beef – I used 90% lean
• onion
• garlic
• oil
• green onion – to garnish (optional)

For the bulgogi sauce:

• soy sauce
• sugar
• sweet rice wine (mirin)
• sesame oil
• pepper
• sesame seeds

How to make Korean ground beef bulgogi bowl

Step 1. Whisk all the bulgogi sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

Step 2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until soft, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 3. Add ground beef and cook until beef is browned and fully cooked.

Step 4. Pour the sauce mixture over the beef and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer until it is heated through and the sauce reduces, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 5. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately.

How to serve Korean beef bowl

You can sprinkle a small portion as a meat topping over a plain bowl of rice. Or serve it as Korean beef bowl – Put a desired amount over rice in a large serving bowl, along with your favorite vegetable or kimchi on the side (Try my vegan kimchi for example). Any of the many Korean side dishes make a good accompaniment.

Storage and Reheating tip

Store leftover beef in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe zip bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, either microwave to heat through or cook in a skillet with a little bit of oil over the stove top.

More popular Korean dishes

Don’t miss out these famous Korean dishes. You can make these recipes easily at home.

• Easy Japchae Recipe (Korean Glass Noodles)
• 20-Minute Authentic Tteokbokki (Spicy Korean Rice Cake)
• Kimbap (Korean Seaweed Rice Roll)
• Classic Beef Bulgogi Recipe (Korean BBQ Beef)
• Simple Hotteok Recipe (Korean Sweet Pancake)