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Korean Ground Beef

This savory Korean ground beef transforms simple pantry staples into a restaurant-quality meal that's ready in just 15 minutes. The sweet and salty glaze coating tender beef creates an irresistible dinner that even the pickiest eaters will devour over fluffy rice.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend works best)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 2 cups cooked white rice

Method
 

  1. Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. The mixture should smell fragrant and aromatic.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it browns. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan for flavor.
  3. Pour the prepared sauce over the browned beef and stir to combine. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until the sauce reduces and becomes glossy.
  4. Remove from heat and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately over warm rice while the beef is still steaming hot.

Notes

Budget-friendly substitutions: Ground turkey works beautifully in place of beef. Apple cider vinegar can replace rice vinegar, and honey substitutes perfectly for brown sugar. Time-saving tip: Start your rice in a rice cooker before prepping ingredients. Don't skip draining the fat after browning the beef, or your sauce will become greasy. Avoid cooking on high heat, which can burn the garlic and create bitter flavors. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days in airtight containers. Freeze portions for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or skillet with a splash of water to restore moisture and prevent drying out.