Easy Beef Bowls

Published: Mar 24, 2023 / Updated: May 24, 2023 / 180 Comments

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These easy beef bowls are a quick and delicious Asian-inspired recipe that makes the perfect weeknight dinner. Ready in about 30 minutes!

Try my Spicy Ground Chicken Stir Fry or Easy Beef Stir Fry next for more takeout-style favorites at home.

a bowl of asian inspired ground beef over rice

Why you'll love it

Making Asian-style food is one of my favorite things to do, especially when it's this tasty and fast. What's not to love about tender beef and a sauce that includes fresh ginger and garlic, soy sauce, and a hint of brown sugar? One lovely reader said her only regret was not seeing this recipe sooner!

These beef and rice bowls are Korean inspired, but I do use hoisin sauce, which is Chinese. While not an authentic Asian dish, this ground beef recipe is a totally simple and very satisfying way to enjoy an affordable protein that you'll put on repeat.

What you'll need

Rice - I like jasmine rice best, but use your favorite
Ground beef - I prefer using lean (at least 90% lean) ground beef for this recipe because then you don't have to worry about draining the fat
Brown sugar - for a hint of sweetness to balance the sauce
Hoisin sauce - it's a dark sauce made with soybeans that has an irresistible flavor uniquely its own. It's sweeter and thicker than soy sauce, savory and tangy, and some have described it as Asian BBQ sauce! Find it in the Asian aisle at most major grocery stores.
Soy sauce - I use the regular kind, but use low sodium if that's a concern
Siracha - we're only using enough for a gentle warmth
Ginger - this gives a zesty, fragrant zing
Garlic - we're pretty generous, but feel free to add even more
Red pepper and scallions - for a pop of color and crunch

ingredients for beef bowls in prep bowls

Pro tip

To easily grate fresh ginger, store it in the freezer! It sounds unusual, but I've been doing it for years. Use a Microplane to zest it. You'll also never run out of fresh ginger or have it go bad in your fridge.

How to make beef bowls

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

cooking ground beef in a skillet and adding in sauce ingredients

Cook the rice. Meanwhile, brown the ground beef until cooked through. Take the pan off the burner, and stir in the sauce ingredients.

adding red bell pepper to a skillet with seasoned ground beef

Reduce the heat, then add the chopped red pepper and cook for a few more minutes until it's tender-crisp. Serve over the rice, garnish with scallions, and enjoy!

Tools for this recipe

Check out Natasha's favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!

Mince the garlic effortlessly with one squeeze of a garlic press, and then store the remainder of the cloves in a garlic keeper that looks adorable on your counter.
I use this versatile Le Creuset skillet for everything from stir fries to stovetop chicken recipes.
A cooking spoon is what I use to break up the beef while it's cooking.

Substitutions and variations

This is the type of recipe where you can definitely adjust the sauce ingredients to taste, so don't be shy! I love to add extra hoisin sauce to mine.
Some readers enjoy doubling the sauce completely if you're into lots of sauce! As written, it doesn't make tons.
I added a red pepper bell for color and a bit of freshness. If you don't like them, you could leave it out. It won't make or break the recipe.
You don't need to go out and buy sriracha sauce just for this recipe if you never use it, but I do like the flavor it adds. I didn't use a lot so as not to make it too spicy for most people, but you can always add more if you want to give this recipe more heat.

a skillet with korean inspired ground beef

What to serve with these ground beef bowls

You don't need to top them with sesame seeds like I did, but it adds a little additional contrast and texture. Fresh bean sprouts would be another great topping for some crunch.
If you're not into the rice, swap it out to make a beef noodle bowl. Try Udon, ramen noodles, or rice noodles.
Other options are serving it over cauliflower rice, quinoa, or with other veggies.

Leftovers and storage

Store any leftovers for 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container. I'd make fresh rice when you eat it.
Reheat in a saucepan over a low heat, and you may want to add some extra hoisin sauce and/or sriracha because it tends to dry out a bit the longer you leave it.
You can freeze it for up to 3 months.

More easy ground beef recipes

If you gave these easy Asian beef bowls a try, please leave a star rating and review below! Let me know if you have questions not answered in the post. You can also tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram if you made it.

This recipe was originally published on August 3, 2019. It's been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!

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