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Korean Beef Bowl Recipe (Gluten-free, Dairy-free)

Not only is this Korean Beef Bowl Recipe easy, fast, and healthy…it’s absolutely scrumptious! Our family and friends eagerly devour their beef bowls every time. Bonus: This Korean beef bowl recipe happens to be gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined-sugar-free!

korean beef bowl ground beef recipe asian beef recipe

Korean Beef Bowl Recipe (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

We’ve long been crazy about Korean beef; I’ve been making our own Kalbi and Bulgogi Korean beef dishes for over almost two decades now. It’s a mystery why I haven’t posted those recipes yet, but they’ll be coming your way soon. Since I make my Kalbi over the grill, I may have to wait until the icy landscape around here melts away. All the grills in the Bold North are currently in hibernation because nobody wants to get swept away by snowy blizzards while heroically attempting to manage a grill in their down parkas.

In the meantime, can we give a delicious shout out to this mouthwatering Korean Beef Bowl recipe here, loaded with all the amazing flavors of classic Korean BBQ meats?! This Korean beef bowl is a dinner superstar, with its unbeatable ease and speed. We’re talking irresistibly simple and fast. As in 20 minutes tops.

When a meal is as delicious [and healthy] as this and comes together in 20 minutes, it immediately goes into regular dinner rotation. It’s more than okay to jump for joy when you realize there is zero marinade time, just one skillet needed, and the ingredients are easy to find.

I’m pretty sure I mentioned how jaw-dropping delicious this whole situation is and how everyone will put away their beef bowls like it’s going out of style. Except it won’t…

korean beef bowl ground beef recipe asian beef recipe

How to make the best Korean Beef Bowl

This is seriously so easy, my fellow cooks. You only need a handful of ingredients: ground beef, soy sauce, honey, Asian sesame oil, red pepper flakes, ginger, garlic, onions, and some olive oil for cooking.

I routinely use extra virgin olive oil for all my cooking, as its flavor is light and doesn’t clash, and it’s healthier in general for your peeps. Plus, it does well on the skillet and is perfect for sautéing anything. I even use it in my baking, and nobody can ever tell.

I almost always opt for 90% extra lean ground beef, which obliterates the need to drain the fat. A tiny bit of fat from the extra lean ground beef is good, providing flavor in the finished dish.

Other notable tips: I use Tamari soy sauce (my all-time seasoning addiction) which is naturally gluten-free and lower in sodium. It tastes so much better than soy sauces that contain wheat. Be sure to grab dark, toasted Asian sesame oil in the Asian aisle of most grocery stores. It’s entirely different from regular sesame oil. Asian sesame oil is highly aromatic and basically tastes awesome in all the stir fry and beyond. {Pssst: here’s a side tip for those of you who are actually reading this text — next time you want a crazy easy and delish dip for your potstickers, just stir together some Tamari soy sauce and Asian sesame oil to taste. It’s SO easy and YUM!}

In the recipe, you’ll see that I opted for pure honey instead of refined sugar. It’s my general preference to use raw honey whenever possible, in lieu of highly processed sugar. I know my brain [probably] doesn’t know the difference because sugar is sugar, but using raw unfiltered honey makes me feel So. Much. Better. So I just go with it. Plus, I have beekeeper friends.

You’ll simply whisk together the simple sauce ingredients, cook the aromatics and beef together, and spoon it all over some fluffy Jasmine rice. By the way, in real life we mostly use brown rice. But brown rice doesn’t photograph nearly as beautifully as Jasmine rice does when paired with browned beef. Plus, no rice is as deliciously aromatic as Jasmine. Just keepin’ it real.

korean beef bowl ground beef recipe asian beef recipe

Why we think this is the best korean beef bowl 

Here’s our humble little lineup of reasons we 200% adore this Korean Beef Bowl:

  • It’s way healthier than any takeout and healthier than most versions of Korean beef bowl recipes
  • It’s gluten-free and dairy-free and even refined-sugar-free, meaning almost all our non vegetarian friends can grab a bowl
  • It comes together in 20 minutes, give or take. If you’re a fast chopper, you’ll close this dinner deal even faster. If you scroll social media in between measuring spoons, it may take a tad longer. I’ve been on both sides of the equation.
  • This Korean beef bowl tastes awesomely delicious. It’s reminiscent of having Kalbi beef for dinner, in a fraction of the time.
  • This is your budget friendly meal. Ground beef is cheaper than many other proteins.
  • Korean Beef Bowl = Affordable and Healthy and Delicious. The ultimate triple threat. The end.
korean beef bowl ground beef recipe asian beef recipe

What to serve with your Korean Beef Bowl

This Korean beef bowl recipe goes hand in hand with Jasmine rice. Or brown rice, if you’re full on healthifying the meal. The beef mixture alone, served over your favorite rice and some veggies, makes an amazing weeknight meal that you can pull off within minutes after work.

We also suggest the following simple recipes to pair with your Korean beef bowl, should you be so inclined:

If you come up with other drool worthy ideas, I’d love to hear them!

If you make this recipe or any recipes from Chew Out Loud, tag me on Instagram @chewoutloud so we can all see your awesomeness!

Korean Beef Bowl Recipe (Gluten-free, Dairy-free)

4.84 from 37 ratings
Not only is this Korean Beef Bowl Recipe easy, fast, and healthy…it’s absolutely scrumptious! Our family and friends eagerly devour their beef bowls every time. Bonus: This Korean beef bowl recipe happens to be gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined-sugar-free!
Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

For Sauce Mixture:

For Beef Stir Fry:

  • 3 TB olive oil
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 5 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 lb extra lean ground beef, I use 90% lean
  • Optional Garnishes: thinly sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, more red pepper flakes
  • Other: Cooked Jasmine rice or other favorite grain for serving

Instructions

  • In a bowl, combine all sauce ingredients and stir to combine well. Set aside.
  • In a wok or large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat until slightly smoking. Add onion and garlic, stirring 2-3 minutes or until aromatic and translucent. Add ground beef and stir while breaking the beef up into small bits, about 1-2 min. when beef is about halfway cooked, add your sauce mixture and stir to combine thoroughly with beef. Continue to cook until beef is browned and cooked through.
  • Serve immediately over bowls of warm rice, gently mixing the beef into the rice a bit. Garnish as desired.

Notes

*Korean beef bowl tastes best when beef is mixed into the rice so no plain rice is sitting by itself at the bottom 🙂

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 194kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 600mg | Potassium: 303mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 99IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Korean
Diet: Gluten Free
Method: Skillet, Stovetop

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @chewoutloud on Instagram

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Recipe Rating




52 comments

    • Kayla

    My husband really likes Korean food, I think he would enjoy this.

    • Life With Mojita

    one of our favorite dishes to cook is anything bowls. we love sushi bowls, poke bowls, and now we may have to add korean bowls to that list

    • Elizabeth O

    well it looks good but i am vegetarian so i can’t try it. hope you enjoyed your food. and thanks for sharing this recipe.

    • Emily

    This is a meal that would be perfect for meal prep! I need to try this soon!

    • Christa

    I love meals that are flavorful, easy to make, and don’t leave a kitchen full of dirty dishes. This looks like it fulfills all three!

    • Jasmine – LoveLifeLaughMotherhood
    • 5 stars

    i am all over this!! I love korean beef

    • kumamonjeng
    • 5 stars

    I am a fan of Korean beef too, especially the Bulgogi Korean Beef dishes. Glad that you share out this recipe and I am going to start making this. Great with rice our staple food.

    • Ingrid
    • 5 stars

    Home cooked food visually tastier and healthier than take out. This homemade Korean Beef Bowl seems to be no exception. What I also like about this dish is that it can be ready in twenty minutes

    • Kristen Frolich
    • 5 stars

    I have always wanted to try Korean beef! These pictures look mouth watering. I’m always so afraid to mess up such a unique recipe. Maybe I’ll have to try it under your directions!

    • Sophia Reed PhD NCC

    I have been really feeling korean bowls lately this is a good way to make your own.

    • alwaysusebutter

    LOVE the pictures and the dish looks absolutely delicious! Have to try this!

    • Chad
    • 5 stars

    I would love me a korean beef bowl now, looks delicious and very healthy. Will definitely try this next week. Thanks a lot for the recipe.

    Chad
    http://www.mosaicslab.com

    • Brianne Tursi Manz

    Korean beef is a favorite of mine! I can’t wait to make this! It looks so delicious!

    • Amy-Lynn Denham

    Yummy! I’m allergic to beef so I’d have to swap it out for something else, but this is still a great idea. I think I’d just use a high-quality veggie ground – beet-based instead of soy since this already has soy in it. Hmm… now you got me thinking

    • folabest

    Thanks for sharing this, I will give the recipe a trial with your steps and instructions

    • Emmy M.

    Wow, this sounds amazing. I’ve never attempted Korean dishes since I think I can’t make it as good as the restaurants. I’ll definitely try this!!

    • Shannon

    This looks really simple and easy to make! I bet my boys would even love it! Thanks for sharing your recipe! 🙂

    • Stacie
    • 5 stars

    Oh my gosh, that looks so good! I can’t wait to give this a try. I LOVE Korean beef. Om nom nom.

    • CJ Cusack

    For those with a sesame allergy, what can be substituted? I have nut allergies and am sensitive to sesame (and soy sauce but hey, it’s good lol).

    • Remy

    Omgggg, I love Korean food so much. I’m drooling now….. Thanks for the recipe. I’ll try it tonight.

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