Ground Beef Bulgogi Bowls
A quick, savory bowl that hits sweet, salty, and nutty notes — ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Bulgogi
- 1 pound ground beef Use 80/20 for juiciness.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce Naturally brewed soy for best flavor.
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil Use toasted sesame oil sparingly.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic for better flavor.
For Serving
- 2 cups cooked rice Fluffy and warm rice.
- 1 cup assorted fresh vegetables (e.g., cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers) Fresh and colorful.
- Green onions for garnish (optional) Add fresh for aroma.
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional) Sprinkle for texture.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef with soy sauce, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Use a fork or your hands to gently break up the meat so the marinade coats evenly.
- Let the mixture rest for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. For deeper flavor, marinate up to 1 hour in the refrigerator.
Cooking
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the marinated ground beef until fully cooked and deeply browned, about 5–7 minutes, breaking the meat into small pieces as it cooks.
Assembly
- Divide the cooked rice between bowls and spoon the cooked beef over the top while warm. Arrange the assorted fresh vegetables around the meat.
- Top with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
This dish is flexible and can be customized with different vegetables or by using ground pork or turkey instead of beef. Store the cooked beef in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.