Description
Korean beef with toasted sesame rice is an easy and flavorful dinner featuring savory ground beef cooked with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a hint of sweetness. Served over fluffy, sesame-toasted rice, this quick stovetop recipe makes an excellent weeknight meal that combines bold Korean-inspired flavors with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Korean Beef
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon gochujang
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Toasted Sesame Rice
- 2 cups cooked white or jasmine rice
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the sesame oil. Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Add aromatics and sauce: Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, gochujang, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer the beef mixture: Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes while stirring occasionally, allowing it to thicken slightly and coat the beef fully.
- Finish the beef: Stir in sliced green onions and sesame seeds, then remove the skillet from the heat.
- Prepare the toasted sesame rice: In a separate skillet over medium heat, warm the sesame oil. Add the cooked rice and sesame seeds. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is heated through and the sesame seeds are lightly toasted.
- Season the rice: Sprinkle the rice with salt and stir in the sliced green onions.
- Serve: Plate the toasted sesame rice and top with the Korean beef. Garnish with extra sesame seeds and green onions if desired.
Notes
- Jasmine rice works especially well, but brown rice can also be used as a healthier alternative.
- Add extra gochujang for more heat according to your spice preference.
- Thinly sliced cucumber, shredded carrots, or kimchi are great toppings to add freshness and texture.
- Store leftover beef in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- For meal prep, keep the beef and rice stored separately and reheat before serving to maintain texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Rice Bowls, Meal Prep
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean-Inspired, Asian
