Korean Bulgogi Bowl
This quick and flavorful Korean Bulgogi Bowl features lean ground beef cooked in a savory-sweet-spicy sauce, enriched with Asian pear, garlic, and ginger. Served over fluffy brown rice with crisp romaine lettuce, diced cucumber, and bell pepper, it offers a balanced and satisfying meal ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner.
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet or Wok
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Box Grater (for Asian pear)
- 1 Set Measuring Spoons & Cups
Ingredients
Main
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
- 0.25 cup soy sauce
- 0.25 cup water
- 0.5 Asian pear grated
- 5 cloves garlic minced, or more to taste
- 1 inch piece ginger peeled and diced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup cooked brown rice or more to taste
- 1 head romaine lettuce chopped, or to taste
- 1 cucumber diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds or to taste
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the sesame oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, water, grated Asian pear, minced garlic, diced ginger, red pepper flakes, and ground black pepper to create the bulgogi sauce.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is fully browned and no pink remains.
- Carefully drain any excess fat from the cooked ground beef for a leaner dish, if desired.
- Pour the prepared bulgogi sauce over the browned ground beef in the skillet, ensuring all the beef is coated.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef well.
- While the beef simmers, prepare the fresh vegetables: wash and chop the romaine lettuce, dice the cucumber, and dice the red bell pepper.
- To assemble the bowls, divide the cooked brown rice among four serving bowls.
- Spoon a generous portion of the hot bulgogi beef mixture over the rice in each bowl.
- Artfully arrange the fresh chopped romaine lettuce, diced cucumber, and diced red bell pepper around or on top of the beef.
- Garnish each Korean Bulgogi Bowl with a sprinkle of sesame seeds before serving immediately.
Notes
While this recipe uses ground beef for convenience, traditional bulgogi is made with thinly sliced marinated beef, which offers a different texture and mouthfeel. To elevate this dish, consider browning the ground beef thoroughly to develop a deep, savory crust before adding the sauce. The grated Asian pear is crucial for tenderizing the meat and adding natural sweetness; don't skip it. For a richer flavor, you can lightly toast the sesame seeds before garnishing. Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness of the vegetables against the warm, flavorful beef.