Name: Korean Beef Bowl
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup uncooked white or brown rice; 1/3 cup pure maple syrup or packed brown sugar; 1/4 cup soy sauce (use certified gluten-free soy sauce or tamari if needed); 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (or 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger); 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 green onions, thinly sliced; Toasted sesame seeds, for serving (optional)

This quick Korean beef bowl from the KitchenSimplicity archive is a weeknight favorite: lean ground beef is browned with garlic and glazed in a sticky sauce of soy sauce, sesame oil, maple syrup (or brown sugar), ginger and red pepper flakes, then spooned over rice.

It uses pantry staples, comes together in about the time it takes to cook the rice, and is easy to adjust for heat. Serve it as is with plenty of green onions, or add steamed or quick-pickled vegetables on the side for a fuller bowl.

Tips

Brown rice takes about 45 minutes, so start it earlier or use leftover or precooked rice to keep this a 30-minute meal.
For more heat, add a spoonful of gochujang to the sauce or extra red pepper flakes.
Ground turkey or pork works in place of beef.
Leftovers keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days; reheat the beef with a splash of water.

Korean Beef Bowl

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

Total

30 min

Yield

4 servings

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked white or brown rice
For the sauce:
1/3 cup pure maple syrup or packed brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce (use certified gluten-free soy sauce or tamari if needed)
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (or 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger)
For the beef:
1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Toasted sesame seeds, for serving (optional)

Steps

Start the rice first and cook it according to the package directions.
In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup or brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, red pepper flakes and ginger.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and no longer pink, about 6 to 8 minutes. Spoon off any excess fat.
Add the garlic and stir for 30 to 60 seconds, until fragrant.
Pour in the sauce and add half of the green onions. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring, until the beef is glossy and coated.
Spoon the beef over the rice and top with the remaining green onions and sesame seeds, if using.