Korean Beef Bowl with Spicy Mayo (Print version)

Savory Korean beef with fresh veggies and spicy mayo over fluffy rice

# What you'll need:

→ For the Beef

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
04 - 2 teaspoons sesame oil
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
07 - 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste) or sriracha
08 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ For the Spicy Mayo

09 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
10 - 1 tablespoon sriracha
11 - 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

→ For the Bowl

13 - 4 cups cooked white rice
14 - 1 cup shredded carrots
15 - 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
16 - 1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded
17 - 2 green onions, sliced
18 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

# How to make it:

01 - Cook rice according to package instructions and keep warm until ready to assemble bowls.
02 - Combine mayonnaise, sriracha, rice vinegar, and honey in a small bowl. Whisk until completely smooth and set aside for serving.
03 - Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes.
04 - Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
05 - Add soy sauce, brown sugar, gochujang, and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until sauce is well combined and slightly caramelized.
06 - Divide warm rice among four bowls. Top with Korean beef mixture. Arrange shredded carrots, cucumber slices, and red cabbage alongside the beef.
07 - Drizzle spicy mayo generously over each bowl. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately while beef is still hot.

# Expert suggestions:

01 -
  • You get restaurant quality Korean flavors in about 30 minutes with zero fancy techniques required
  • The spicy mayo drizzle is the kind of finishing touch that makes people ask whats your secret
  • Everything comes together in one pan so cleanup is almost as easy as the cooking itself
02 -
  • The beef sauce will thicken quickly in the pan, so have your vegetables prepped before you start cooking
  • Gochujang varies by brand, so start with less if you are sensitive to spice and adjust as you go
  • Lettuce cups work surprisingly well if you are looking to skip the rice entirely
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes before sprinkling them on top
  • Double the spicy mayo recipe and keep it in the refrigerator for quick meals all week
  • Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make this completely gluten free without losing flavor

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