Description
A quick and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring ground beef simmered in a sweet, savory, and garlicky Korean-inspired sauce, served over rice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 fat ratio recommended)
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2–3 stalks green onions, sliced
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- Vegetables for serving (e.g., steamed broccoli, pickled carrots)
Instructions
- Cook the rice: Rinse 1 cup of short-grain rice under cold water until clear. Add to a rice cooker or pot with 2 cups of water and cook according to instructions. If using a pot, bring to a boil, reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes. Let sit off heat for 5 minutes before fluffing.
- Prep the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, water, and red pepper flakes until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
- Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes until no pink remains. Drain excess grease if desired, but leave some for flavor.
- Add aromatics: Push beef to the side or mix in minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour the sauce mixture over the beef and green onions. Stir to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef in a glossy glaze.
- Serve: Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately over hot rice, topped with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Notes
Rinsing the rice is essential for fluffy grains. Use fresh ginger for the best flavor. Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes before garnishing. If the sauce is too salty, add a splash of water or more sugar. For a spicy version, add gochujang paste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup rice with beef
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: Korean ground beef, 15 minute dinner, easy weeknight meals, ground beef recipes, Korean rice bowl, quick dinner, family friendly meals