Korean Ground Beef Bowls with Kimchi

These Korean-inspired ground beef bowls are savory, slightly sweet, and packed with bold flavor. Caramelized ground beef is served over rice with sautéed greens, fresh vegetables, and a generous scoop of kimchi for tangy heat and crunch. It’s a quick, satisfying meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Serves: 4

‍Ingredients

For the beef

• 1 lb ground beef
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar (or honey)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (optional)
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the bowls

• 3–4 cups cooked white rice
• 2 cups Classic Kimchi
• 2 cups spinach or greens
• 1 tsp sesame oil (for greens)
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced or ribboned
• ½ cup shredded carrots

For finishing

• 2–3 green onions, sliced
• 1–2 tbsp sesame seeds
• Chili oil or chili crisp (optional)
• Lime wedges (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook rice according to package instructions if not already prepared.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through (6–8 minutes). Add soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and black pepper. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the beef.
3. In a separate pan or the same skillet, quickly sauté greens with a drizzle of sesame oil until just wilted (2–3 minutes).
4. Divide rice evenly among four bowls. Add cooked beef, sautéed greens, cucumber, and carrots. Top with a generous scoop of kimchi. Finish with green onions, sesame seeds, and chili oil if using. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Make it spicy: Add gochujang or chili crisp
• Swap the protein: Ground turkey or chicken
• Low-carb option: Serve over greens instead of rice
• Meal prep tip: Store components separately for best texture

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