Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowl Recipe

Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowl Recipe Introduction: Craving the sweet and savory flavors of Korean BBQ but short on time? This easy ground beef bulgogi recipe is the perfect solution! Bulgogi, which translates to “fire meat,” is traditionally made with thinly sliced marinated beef grilled to perfection. However, this simplified version using ground beef delivers the same mouthwatering flavors in just 15 minutes. It’s quick, budget-friendly, and versatile—a perfect dish for busy weeknights.

What is Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowl Recipe?

Bulgogi is a classic Korean dish known for its sweet, savory, and slightly smoky flavor. Traditionally, it’s made with thin slices of beef marinated in a blend of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and other seasonings. This recipe reimagines bulgogi with ground beef for a faster and more economical version that still delivers on flavor.

Ingredients for Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowl Recipe:

For the Bulgogi Sauce:

• 1/3 cup (80 ml) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) gochujang (Korean chili paste) – optional for spice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ginger, grated

For the Ground Beef:

• 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cooking oil

Toppings:

• 2 green onions, finely sliced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)

Serving Suggestions:

• Steamed white rice or cauliflower rice
• Optional: soft-boiled egg, stir-fried vegetables (carrots, mushrooms, or bell peppers)

Instructions for Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowl Recipe:

1. Prepare the Bulgogi Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, gochujang (if using), minced garlic, and grated ginger. Set aside.

2. Cook the Ground Beef

• Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
• Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Ensure there are no pink bits remaining.

3. Combine and Simmer

• Once the beef is browned, reduce the heat to medium and pour in the bulgogi sauce.
• Stir well to coat the beef evenly. Allow the mixture to simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld.

4. Add Toppings

• Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the cooked beef with green onions, sesame seeds, and chili flakes (if desired).

5. Serve

• Spoon the beef mixture over a bowl of steamed rice or cauliflower rice. Add a soft-boiled egg or stir-fried vegetables for extra flavor and texture.

Tips and Customizations for Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowl Recipe:

Ingredient Substitutions:

• If you don’t have gochujang, use a dash of sriracha or omit it for a milder flavor.
• No rice wine vinegar? Try apple cider vinegar as an alternative.
• Plum extract can be substituted with apricot jam for a similar sweetness.

Make it Vegetarian:

Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles, crumbled tofu, or finely diced mushrooms for a vegetarian-friendly option.

Add More Veggies:

Stir-fry thinly sliced carrots, mushrooms, or bell peppers and mix them into the beef for added nutrition and texture.

Low-Carb/Keto Option:

Serve over cauliflower rice and use a low-carb sweetener like erythritol in place of brown sugar.

Serving Suggestions for Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowl Recipe:

• This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or quinoa.
• Wrap the bulgogi mixture in lettuce leaves for a fun, low-carb twist.
• Top with a fried egg or soft-boiled egg for an authentic Korean touch.

Storage Instructions for Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowl Recipe:

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze the cooked bulgogi beef in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: ~350
• Protein: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fat: 20g

Call to Action:

Try this easy ground beef bulgogi recipe tonight and bring the flavors of Korean BBQ to your dinner table! Don’t forget to share your creations in the comments or tag us on social media. We’d love to see how you customize it!

Related Recipes:

• [Spicy Korean Chicken Stir-Fry]
• [Vegetarian Bibimbap Bowls]
• [Quick Kimchi Pancakes]

Enjoy your meal—or as they say in Korean, “Mashikeh Deuseyo!” (“Enjoy your food!”)