This easy Korean-style beef and rice is loaded with flavor, quick to make and it’s great when you’re trying to keep your grocery bill down.
My friend Aggie and I have been on a bit of a savings spree (after too many spending sprees). We’re getting a lot of joy out of texting each other with updates on our what we’re saving money on each day. “I cancelled my house cleaners and am saving $300 a month!”. “I cancelled my gym membership and am saving $90 a month!”. “I finally cancelled that ABC Mouse subscription that my kids haven’t used in 5 years.” (I wish I was kidding on that one… why do they make it so difficult to cancel ABC Mouse?). Of course, not having a house cleaner or gym membership will require us to be creative.
It’s motivating to have a partner in crime when trying to save money, isn’t it? In fact, each time she texts me something she’s saving on, I start looking to see what the next thing is I can save money on. 
Budget friendly meals are one way I’m trying to save us money. I love checking out what we have in the pantry and being creative with what’s on hand versus making yet another trip to the grocery store. My grocery budget is absolutely out of control, so I’m doing what I can to try and make meals out of pantry, fridge and freezer items. This Budget Friendly Korean Beef and Rice is just that…something that was so easy to make and didn’t require an extra trip to the grocery store.
I found this Korean Beef and Rice recipe on the Taste of Home website after googling “what can I make with ground beef and rice”? I adapted it every so slightly. I doubled the sauce because I felt like the original recipe could use a little more sauce. Other than adding some red/purple onions from Ella’s garden, the Taste of Home recipe was a great starting point for a fantastic, budget friendly meal.
If you’re looking to save some money or just want a great, quick and easy meal, give this Korean Beef and Rice recipe a try. I think you’ll love it!
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Easy Korean-Style Beef and Rice
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Quick, flavorful Korean-style beef and rice. Perfect for a budget-friendly weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lbs (454 g) lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 small purple onion
- 0.5 cups (118 ml) packed brown sugar
- 0.5 cups (118 ml) reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 4 tsp sesame oil
- 0.25 - 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 0.25 tsp pepper
- 2 cups (473 ml) hot cooked rice
- 3 green onions
Instructions
- For the Beef:
- In a large skillet, cook beef, garlic, and purple onion over medium heat for 6–8 minutes, or until the beef is no longer pink; break the beef into crumbles.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix brown sugar, soy sauce, oil, and seasonings.
- Stir the sauce into the beef and heat through.
- Serve with rice.
- Sprinkle with green onions.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of soy sauce and mirin in the sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- If you don’t have brown sugar, you can substitute with granulated sugar, but the flavor will be slightly different.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 80
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat instead of beef for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute the beef with ground turkey or chicken, but adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure it’s fully cooked.
What can I use as a substitute for the soy sauce in this Korean-style beef and rice recipe?
If you need a soy sauce alternative, you can use tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos for a lower-sodium alternative.
How can I adjust the spice level in the beef and rice dish?
To increase the spice level, you can add more gochujang or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes while cooking the beef.
