Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls for an easy weeknight dinner or lazy Saturday.
Chock full of vegetables with twice less sodium and sugar, your kids will be going for seconds of this healthy 30 minute meal.
Korean Ground Beef Recipe
I am not sure how Korean are these Korean ground beef and rice bowls but all I know is that my family “inhales” them every-single-time!
All 3 of my boys, big and small, love my healthy Korean ground beef.
I pack it with vegetables. Use twice less sodium and replace brown sugar with half the amount of maple syrup. And serve over brown rice.
Healthy, budget friendly and cleans out the veggie drawers. Twice less sugar and sodium than traditional recipe. Sign-me-up.
Your busy weeknight needs this stir fry recipe. Even your lazy Saturdays will be happy with it. My family devoured this healthy version of traditional Asian dish.
It’s so simple to make and is super delicious and full of flavor.
Ingredients
I was at the end of my menus, and was looking to make something with pantry staples.
- Ground beef – I used 85% fat
- Firm veggies like zucchini, eggplant, cabbage, broccoli, onion, garlic and bell pepper
- Tomato (optional)
- Lots of green onions (a must)
- Asian flavors: soy sauce, maple syrup and rice vinegar.
You can also add cashews, water chestnuts, shredded carrots. Possibilities are endless!
How to Make Korean Ground Beef
I have been cooking with ground turkey and beef often lately. Take these Instant Pot quinoa bowls. It is an easy and cheap way to make healthy dinner fast. And kids always seem to like it. And it takes 30 minutes.
And because I love my Instant Pot so much, I share how to turn this Korean ground beef recipe into a one pot meal in your electric pressure cooker. Just keep on reading.
Cook Ground Beef with Spices
Before I start cooking Korean ground beef, I decide what I want to serve it with. Usually I make Instant Pot brown rice or Instant Pot quinoa. So, I start that first to make sure my beef can go on the table as soon as it’s ready.
You want to sear ground beef in a hot wok or large deep ceramic non-stick skillet on medium heat. Cook breaking into pieces and stirring constantly, for about 5-7 minutes. Drain fat if desired.
I have to say I used beef thawed in Instant Pot, so I cooked it less time. It is a miracle recipe!
Towards the end of browning ground beef, add onion, ginger and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove beef onto plate and return skillet to the stove.
Can You Make It with Chicken or Turkey?
Yes. You can use any ground meat you wish.
Saute Veggies Separately
You want to cook veggies separately from meat and in stages so they caramelize. First goes the bell pepper because its browned version is the most flavorful veggie ever.
Then zucchini and eggplant. We just need to soften them a bit and I find both of these veggies absorb sauce flavors so well. Like a sponge. And bulk up the dish which kids do not notice. Sneaky veggies basically.
Combine Everything
Now is time to mix everything. Add sauce ingredients and previously cooked ground beef to the skillet. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
Add lots of green onions and make sure to save some for serving. That’s it!
Literally your next healthy 30 minute meal has arrived on your dinner table.
Now, how do we eat Korean ground beef?
A Bazillion Serving Ideas
Leftovers warm easily, which is great when you’ve got teenage midnight grazers.
- The first time I made it, I served it over brown rice. Second time with quinoa. Third time with brown rice noodles.
- Make it as an appetizer and serve on lettuce leaves as a wrap.
- Wrap Korean style ground beef in flour tortillas and add shredded cabbage and make “tacos”. Then garnish with red garlic chili sauce.
- For low carb dinner serve over cauliflower rice.
Make It as One Pot Meal in Instant Pot!
Are you obsessed with Instant Pot like me? I love my Instant Pot to death! It makes healthy meals for my family while I’m doing something else. And there is so much to do – always! Like read a book, have a glass of wine or go to the beach.
To make Korean ground beef in Instant Pot:
- On Instant Pot, press Saute and wait until display says Hot. Takes 3-5 mins. Add ground beef. Cook until no longer pink or for about 5 minutes, constantly breaking into small pieces and stirring.
- Add 1 cup water and stir to deglaze the bottom of the pot to avoid Burn. Press Cancel.
- Now add all ingredients except green onions. Also add 2 cups of rinsed and drained brown rice. Do not stir.
- Close the lid, turn pressure valve to sealing and press Pressure Cook on High for 22 minutes.
- Release pressure using Quick Release method – turn pressure valve to Venting.
- Add green onion, stir and serve warm.
More Healthy Asian Dinners
- Healthy beef stir fry
- Healthy chicken lettuce wraps
- Healthy chicken stir fry
- Instant Pot stir fry
- Healthy beef and broccoli
Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls
Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls for an easy weeknight dinner or lazy Saturday. Chock full of vegetables with twice less sodium and sugar, your kids will be going for seconds of this healthy 30 minute meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1–2 inch fresh ginger, minced
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 small eggplant, diced
- 4–5 tbsp soy sauce (I used Bragg’s liquid aminos)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 4 green onion sprigs, finely chopped
Instructions
- Cook rice as per package instructions. I usually make Instant Pot brown rice.
- While rice is cooking, preheat wok or large deep non-stick skillet on medium heat. Add ground beef and cook breaking into pieces and stirring constantly, for about 5-7 minutes. Drain fat if desired. I have to say I used beef thawed in Instant Pot, so I cooked it less time. It is a miracle recipe!
- Towards the end of browning ground beef, add onion, ginger and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove beef onto plate and return skillet to the stove.
- Swirl oil to coat, add bell pepper and saute for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add zucchini and eggplant; saute for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add soy sauce, maple syrup, pepper and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Turn off the heat and sprinkle with green onion; stir again.
- Fluff rice with a fork and serve Korean ground beef over it.
Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
If you don’t have fresh garlic or ginger, use 1 tsp of ground garlic and 1/2 tsp ground ginger.
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating in the comments.
The store is out of both eggplant and zucchini! Should I just wait till another time or can you make a suggestion for a substitution please? These are HARD times! Thank you very much. I just love your site!
Broccoli, cauliflower, more bell pepper. Any firm veggies to bulk it up. Even brussels sprouts. I know, can’t wait myself till this nightmare is over! Enjoy!
I made this for dinner tonight since I had some rice left from lastnights dinner. I stopped at the store to grab the pepper and zucchini and since I’m not a fan of eggplant I grabbed a small head of red cabbage. Everything came out fantastic! My mom liked it so much she wants me to make it again! Thank you for inspiring me to step out of my comfort zone and try such a yummy and easy meal!
★★★★★
Woohoo Christy! So glad you tried this recipe and enjoyed it so much!
Great easy recipe! I didn’t have zucchini or eggplant but used summer squash, broccoli and chopped Asparagus instead. It turned out amazing and I loved the way the broccoli soaked up the juices. I also made my rice with chicken stock, a splash of soy sauce and sliced carrots. It was really yummy topped with this beef dish.
★★★★★
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing your review Britney!
Made this tonight, certainly healthy. But my question is what makes this Ground Beef Korean? Besides that the recipe was great and fast
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I’m so happy to read this! Thanks for your positive feedback, Noah! Took some Korean stir fry recipe and made it healthier, as original as it could get when you don’t use brown sugar or don’t live in Korea lol.
I’ve always wanted to make a Korean Beef dish but everything has been so salty. I’m really excited to try this recipe! It looks delicious! Thanks for another great dinner idea!
★★★★★
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Christy! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Hi,
Does your nutritional information include the rice or should I be calculating that separately if I’m tracking my calories?
Thanks
It doesn’t include rice. Enjoy!
This is the third of your chicken recipes that we have tried. We have not been disappointed,…. and finally getting our vegetables. We added diced tomatoes to the base recipe and really enjoyed that. We are recently retired and trying to eat better. Thanks for your help!
★★★★★
Correction…. 1st of your hamburger recipes after enjoying 2 of your chicken recipes.
You are welcome, Randy!
We were floored by how much flavor this dish has. Will definitely be making this again and again. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
★★★★★
So happy to hear, Robby!!!
I’m adding this one to my go-to recipes ! Delicious! I added some chili powder to spice things up, and it was amazing ! Thank you ! 🙂
★★★★
Awesome to hear and you are so welcome!!!
Easy to make! My husband looked at me sideways when he saw the zucchini on the counter, but he loved it and didn’t even notice because they blend in to incorporate all of the great flavor. More veg = YES!
★★★★★
Haha. That’s so great! It sounds like your husband has a new favorite, Kris! LOL
Rice didn’t cook after 22 minutes in IP, should I have added more water?
Hi Lorrie. Not more water but try 25 mins. I think it’s your elevation. And if even then rice is not cooked, try different brand of rice. I tried 3 different and cook rice this way, so 25 mins should be more than enough. Good luck!
This recipe is EXCELLENT!!! Printed it and keeping to make over and over!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Caroline! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Delicious! I haven’t found an online receipe in so long that actually ends up tasting as good as it looks. Even my 5 year old picky eater loved this!
★★★★★
So happy to hear, Sarah. That’s what we do here – make good food look good. 🙂
Soooo Good!! My picky eaters loved it!!!
★★★★★
You are very welcome, Karen! Kid love Asian type of stir fries with anything. Mine even eat tofu and call it chicken lol.
Sooooo Good! My pick eaters loved it!! Thanks
★★★★★
Loved this recipe and all of Olena’s recipes. Very flavorful and easy for a week night dinner.
★★★★★
Awe, you are so welcome, Allison! So happy to hear you are enjoying my recipes!
Making this recipe now, sound so delicious! Can you clarify for the instant pot version that after browning the meat you add 1 cup of water, rest of ingredients and 2 cups of rice?
I wondered if that is enough liquid (or is it ok because of the vegetable liquids?)
Thank you!
Love your recipes!
Yes, correct. Zucchini and peppers will release lots of water. Enjoy!
Sounds like an excellent meal. Will try it both ways – in the pan and in Instant Pot (I am obsessed with the latter as much as you are, Olena – haha!…). Going to use turkey or chicken, since you said any ground meat is OK :). Thanks!
★★★★★
Haha, how can you not be obsessed with IP, right?! I am taking mine to hockey tournaments road trips this year. Yes, any meat. Let me know.:)
Really loved this one! Super easy and had everything on hand. I wasn’t sure at first if it would be too sweet but the vinegar balanced it for me. Thanks again Olena ?
★★★★★
Welcome! Bowls clean out fridge and taste amazing. Easy bowls though lol
Super easy and took me exactly 30 minutes! I did add a little bit more chili flakes and soy sauce per personal preference.
★★★★★
Fantastic! Glad you enjoyed the recipe, Andrea!
Superb one pot dish and super easy to make. Oh so yummy! Thank you much for sharing your recipe! Five stars for you!
That is so amazing to hear! Glad you enjoyed my recipe!:)
Loved it!
★★★★★
So happy to hear, Cher. 🙂
Amazing
★★★★★
So happy to hear you loved this recipe, Agnese!
Olena, this was delish and so easy!!!
★★★★★