Looking for a quick and delicious meal that’s bursting with flavor? These Korean Gochujang Beef Bowls are the perfect solution! With just 20 minutes of prep time, this dish is ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep for the week ahead.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Great Flavors: The combination of Gochujang, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce creates a mouthwatering blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.
- Quick Prep Time: With just a few simple steps, you can have a flavorful meal on the table in no time.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: These beef bowls are great for meal prep as they can be easily stored and reheated for a quick and tasty lunch or dinner.
Ingredient Notes:
- Ground beef (or chicken or pork): Provides a hearty protein base for the dish.
- Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the dish.
- Bell peppers, shallots, garlic: Enhance the dish with their aromatic flavors.
- Pickled ginger (or fresh grated ginger), tamari or soy sauce, Gochujang: Add depth of flavor and a hint of spice.
- Ginger juice, maple or honey: Balance out the flavors and add a touch of sweetness.
- Toasted sesame seeds, chopped roasted peanuts: Provide a delicious crunch to the dish.
- Cucumber Salad: A refreshing side dish that complements the spicy flavors of the beef bowls.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Heat butter in a large skillet and cook ground beef until browned.
- Add bell peppers, shallots, garlic, pickled ginger, tamari, Gochujang, ginger juice, and maple or honey. Cook until vegetables are tender.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and peanuts.
- In a separate bowl, mix cucumbers with Gochujang, green onion/Thai basil, and ginger juice/rice vinegar.
- Serve the beef mixture over rice with a side of cucumber salad.
Helpful Tips:
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of Gochujang.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preferences.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Swap out the ground beef for chicken or pork for a different twist on the dish.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Make sure to cook the beef until it’s fully browned for the best flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness and spiciness levels to suit your taste preferences.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro or sliced green onions for an extra pop of flavor.
Serving Suggestions:
Pair these Korean Gochujang Beef Bowls with steamed rice, kimchi, and a side of pickled vegetables for a complete meal. For drinks, try serving with a cold glass of Korean iced tea or a refreshing cucumber mint cooler.

Storage and Reheating Tips:
To store leftovers, place the beef bowls in an airtight container and refrigerate. When ready to reheat, microwave until heated through or reheat on the stovetop. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, these beef bowls are perfect for meal prep and can be made ahead of time.
- Can I use other proteins instead of ground beef? Absolutely! Feel free to swap out the ground beef for chicken or pork.
- How spicy is this dish? The level of spice can be adjusted based on the amount of Gochujang used.
Conclusion:
Try these Korean Gochujang Beef Bowls for a quick and flavorful meal that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is a winner. Enjoy and don’t forget to share your feedback with us!
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20 Minute Korean Gochujang Beef Bowls
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These 20 Minute Korean Gochujang Beef Bowls are a quick and flavorful meal packed with bold Asian flavors. The dish features tender ground beef cooked in a spicy-sweet Gochujang sauce, served over steamed rice and topped with a refreshing cucumber salad.
Ingredients
Main Dish:
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (or chicken or pork)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 3 shallots, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/4 cup pickled ginger (or 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger)
- 1/2 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 2–3 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tablespoons ginger juice
- 2 tablespoons maple or honey
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
- 1/3 cup chopped roasted peanuts
Cucumber Salad:
- 4 Persian cucumbers, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion/ Thai basil
- 2 tablespoons ginger juice or rice vinegar
Instructions
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add butter, bell peppers, shallots, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until vegetables are tender.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, mix pickled ginger, tamari, Gochujang, ginger juice, and maple or honey. Pour over the beef and vegetables.
- Serve: Serve the beef over steamed rice and top with sesame seeds and roasted peanuts. Enjoy with the cucumber salad on the side.
Notes
- You can substitute the ground beef with chicken or pork for variation.
- Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of Gochujang paste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg