Ground Beef Bulgogi Bowls
In just 20 minutes, make the best Ground Beef Bulgogi Bowls with sweet and spicy ground beef, fresh veggies, and steamed rice. It's a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love.
If you're looking for a quick, easy meal that is bursting with flavor, this is it. These easy Ground Beef Bulgogi Bowls are loaded with Korean bulgogi-style beef and tons of veggies, all served over a bed of fluffy rice.
If you’ve never made bulgogi, I want to show you how easy it is to make this Korean-inspired dish at home. It’s super easy to whip up, especially since we are swapping in ground beef for sirloin steak.
The key to this recipe is homemade bulgogi sauce, which is simply a combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, green onions, and Korean gochujang. Don't worry, if you don't have gochujang on hand, you can swap in red pepper flakes, sambal olek, or Sriracha
Once you’ve mixed together the bulgogi sauce ingredients, you simply pour it into the pan with your ground beef and stir until it’s thoroughly combined. The result is a little savory, a little sweet, a little spicy, and a LOT delicious.
My favorite way to serve Beef Bulgogi Bowls is over a bed of brown rice with lots of veggies on the side. However, you could easily swap out the rice for cauliflower rice instead for a low-carb option.
Feel free to toss in any veggies you have at home—this dish is fantastic for using up all those veggies in the fridge! We also love these Korean Beef Bowls and Sushi Bowls with tons of veggies.
Key Ingredients for Beef Bulgogi Bowls
To make this healthy Asian-inspired recipe, you will need the following key ingredients:
- Lean ground beef: Traditional Korean bulgogi is usually made with rib eye or sirloin steak. However, I substituted ground beef for this recipe. Ground beef is easy to cook, budget-friendly, and filled with protein and nutrients. Ground turkey, chicken, or pork would also work.
- Soy sauce: For a gluten-free meal, you can substitute tamari or coconut aminos.
- Sesame oil: This ingredient is a staple in many Asian dishes, especially stir-fries adding a delicious nutty flavor. To add more sesame flavor to the finished dish, sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
- Veggies: I like to use a combination of fresh and cooked veggies. My go-to’s usually include bell peppers, cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers. However, you can use any veggies you have at home.
- Aromatics: Ginger and garlic add incredible flavors and aromas, which is why they are commonly used in various Asian dishes. I highly recommend using the fresh versions, but the powdered form can be used in a pinch.
- Optional toppings: For a more traditional bulgogi bowl, you can add banchan, small Korean side dishes usually served with rice. Banchan could cabbage kimchi, spicy Korean cucumber salad, stir-fried eggplant, seasoned spinach, and pickled vegetables like radishes, onions, or bean sprouts.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Looking to switch things up? You’re in luck. These ground beef bulgogi bowls can easily be customized to suit your dietary needs and flavor preferences. Here are some of my favorite ways to get creative with this recipe:
- Switch up your protein. Traditional beef bulgogi is made with thinly cut sirloin or rib eye steak. If you have the time to spare and don’t mind spending a little extra, I definitely recommend trying out one of these. Alternatively, you could try ground chicken or ground turkey for a leaner protein.
- Add a fried egg. For an extra protein boost, try adding a fried egg to the top of your bulgogi bowl. Bonus points if the yolk is runny, yum!
- Switch your veggies. Feel free to use any vegetables you like in this recipe. Any will work, but some of my favorite options not listed in this recipe include broccoli, spinach, onions, and zucchini.
- Add a little spice. If you like your food with some heat, try adding a spoonful of kimchi or a drizzle of sriracha or hot sauce.
How to Serve Ground Beef Bulgogi Bowls
Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve these delicious ground beef bulgogi bowls:
- Over rice. As the recipe suggests, this dish tastes great with a big ol’ bowl of brown rice. If you’re looking for a low-carb option, try opting for some cauliflower rice. You could also jazz things up with some healthy fried rice, quinoa, or greens.
- With a side salad. The flavors in this Asian Kale Salad with Edamame and Avocado complement the ground beef bulgogi perfectly. Pair them together for an extra dose of veggies!
- Alongside a few spring rolls. Vegetable spring rolls are the perfect side dish to pair with these delicious beef bulgogi bowls. They are perfect as an appetizer or as a healthy side dish.
- Stuffed into tortillas. In the mood for something handheld? Stuff your beef bulgogi and veggies into a tortilla for the ultimate wrap! For a low-carb option, you could use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas.
How to Store Leftover Bulgogi
Because they refrigerate and reheat so well, bulgogi bowls are perfect for storing and eating later. To ensure that everything stays as fresh as possible, I recommend storing the various ingredients in separate airtight containers.
Make sure to let everything cool down before you pack it away.
- In the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
- In the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this dish:
Can I use steak or another type of beef?
Of course. In fact, traditional beef bulgogi calls for thinly-sliced sirloin or ribeye steak. If you choose to use steak in this dish, simply cook the steak slices in a single layer on a pan and be sure not to overcrowd them. When sliced thinly, the steak should only need about a minute or so on each side.
How do I know when ground beef is done?
Ground beef is best cooked when you break it apart using a spatula or wooden spoon. Typically, it takes about 8 to 10 minutes to fully cook. When you can no longer see any pink bits in the beef, it’s safe to assume it’s cooked. According to the USDA, ground beef should be cooked to 160°F.
Is bulgogi healthy?
Yes! Beef bulgogi bowls are quick, easy, and totally good for you. This recipe is high in protein, fiber, complex carbs, and nutrients, making it an incredibly healthy addition to your diet. These bowls are fairly high in carbs, but can be made low-carb by swapping out the rice for cauliflower rice or leaving out the grains altogether.
More Asian-Inspired Beef Recipes
Like this recipe? You’ll love these:
Ground Beef Bulgogi Bowls
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Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (GF if needed)
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 tsp. sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp. ginger
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (or Gochujang*)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 lb. 95% lean ground beef
- 1 cup cabbage, shredded
- 1 cucumber, sliced thin
- 1 red pepper, sliced thin
- 1 cup carrots, shredded
- 1/4 cup cilantro
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* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.
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I’m Kristen, I blog about food.
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