Description
A sweet, savory, garlicky, slightly spicy ground beef bowl that comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect over rice, in lettuce wraps, or even in tortillas for a fun fusion twist.
Ingredients
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1 lb (450 g) ground beef (85/15 lean-to-fat ratio; turkey, chicken, or pork also work)
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
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¼ cup soy sauce (tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free)
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2 tbsp brown sugar
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1 tbsp sesame oil (added at the end for flavor)
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1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional, adjust to taste)
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1 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking)
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2 green onions, sliced (white/light green for cooking, dark green for garnish)
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Cooked rice or lettuce leaves for serving
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Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Optional variations:
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Gochujang Glow-Up: Add 1–2 tbsp gochujang for fermented heat
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Veggie Loaded: Sauté carrots, bell peppers, or mushrooms with the beef
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Bibimbap-Style: Add sautéed spinach, bean sprouts, fried egg, and sriracha
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Low-Carb: Serve in sturdy lettuce leaves
Instructions
Step 1: Heat the Skillet
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Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
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Test heat by flicking a tiny drop of water—it should sizzle.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
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Add ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles.
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Cook 5–7 min until evenly browned. Let it sit briefly to develop a crust.
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Drain excess fat if needed.
Step 3: Aromatics
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Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and ginger.
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Cook 1–2 min, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
Step 4: Add the Sauce
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Stir in soy sauce, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper.
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Simmer 3–4 min until sauce reduces slightly and thickens.
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Optional: For extra thickness, whisk 1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp cold water and stir in.
Step 5: Finish
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Remove skillet from heat. Stir in sesame oil and most of the sliced green onions (reserve dark green tops for garnish).
Notes
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Sauce too thin? Simmer longer or use a cornstarch slurry.
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Make ahead: Store cooked beef (without sesame oil) in the fridge up to 3 days, or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat gently, adding a splash of water if needed.
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Too salty? Balance with lime juice or extra brown sugar. Use low-sodium soy sauce next time.
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Vegetarian: Meatless crumbles, crumbled tofu, or cooked lentils work perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
Nutrition
- Calories: 430 kcal Per Serving
- Fat: 30 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Protein: 23 g