Ground Beef Bulgogi: 20 Min Joyful Meal

Okay, so let’s talk about weeknight dinners, because I know exactly how it feels when you’re totally wiped after a long day. For years, the kitchen was the last place I wanted to be. My life was a blur of long hours at a demanding corporate job, and dinner was usually whatever I could grab on the way home. I really thought I just wasn’t a “kitchen person.” But then I started playing around with quick, flavorful meals like this ground beef bulgogi skillet, and wow, did that change everything! It’s so fast, incredibly satisfying, and fits perfectly with our whole Pure Cooking Joy philosophy: soul-satisfying food doesn’t need to be complicated. This Korean-inspired dish is proof that you can whip up something amazing in no time, making busy nights feel a little bit special. It’s one of those recipes that really taught me how simple it can be to find pure joy in cooking again – you can read a bit more about my journey here.

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Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Bulgogi Skillet

Seriously, this ground beef bulgogi skillet is a total game-changer for busy nights. Here’s why it’ll become your new favorite:

• Speedy: Ready in about 20 minutes, total!
• Easy Peasy: Minimal prep, one skillet. So simple!
• Budget-Friendly: Uses everyday ingredients you probably already have.
• Super Versatile: Perfect served over rice or piled into crisp lettuce wraps.
• Tastes Amazing: That sweet and savory sauce? Unbeatable.

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Gather Your Ingredients for Ground Beef Bulgogi

Okay, let’s get our mise en place ready for this amazing ground beef bulgogi! Having everything prepped makes the cooking process so smooth, just like how I like all my recipes to be. You’ll see that most of this is pantry staples, which is why I love it so much!

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil: Just a little bit to get things going in the pan. Any neutral oil like canola or even avocado oil works great here.
• 1 pound ground beef: I usually grab regular 80/20, but you can use leaner if you prefer. It just adds fantastic flavor!
• 1/2 cup soy sauce: The backbone of that perfect savory, umami-rich sauce.
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar: This is what gives us that lovely sweet and sticky caramelized coating. Make sure it’s packed down!
• 2 tablespoons mirin (or rice vinegar): Mirin adds a subtle sweetness and glossiness, but if you don’t have it, a little rice vinegar will give you the needed acidity.
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil: This is for that unmistakable nutty aroma and flavor that just screams Korean comfort food.
• 4 cloves garlic, minced: Don’t be shy with the garlic! It’s essential for depth.
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger: Fresh ginger makes a huge difference, trust me. It gives it that bright, zesty kick.
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Just a little bit to round out the flavors.

And for making it even more special, think about these:

• Optional garnishes: sliced scallions (the green parts are SO pretty!), toasted sesame seeds for crunch.
• Optional additions: Thinly sliced onion or shredded carrots tossed in during the last few minutes of cooking, or even a handful of spinach stirred in until just wilted. Delicious ways to get more veggies in!

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Crafting the Perfect Ground Beef Bulgogi Sauce

Now, let’s talk about the magic of this ground beef bulgogi – it’s all in the sauce! Honestly, whipping up this sweet and savory sauce is ridiculously simple, and it’s the heart and soul of this dish. You just whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin (or rice vinegar if that’s what you have!), sesame oil, minced garlic, ginger, and that pinch of black pepper. It’s that easy! This simple combination creates that incredible sweet, salty, and slightly sticky glaze that coats the beef. It’s so good, you might even find yourself wanting to make a double batch just to have on hand – maybe try it as a base for other stir-fries or even as a dip! It’s a great flavor bomb, kind of like our homemade BBQ sauce, but with a distinctly Korean flair.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Ground Beef Bulgogi

Alright, let’s get this fantastic ground beef bulgogi into a skillet and make some magic happen! Honestly, the hardest part is just getting your ingredients out, and once they’re ready, it’s go time. This dish is seriously a lifesaver when you need a delicious meal without a ton of fuss, kind of like how I feel about my Chicken Florentine Skillet when I’m craving something quick and comforting.

Browning the Ground Beef

First things first, let’s get that skillet hot! Grab your biggest skillet and pour in that tablespoon of vegetable oil. Let it heat up for a minute over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, carefully add your pound of ground beef. Now, use your spoon to break it all up into bite-sized crumbles. We want to cook it until it’s nicely browned all over and there’s no pink left. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Once it’s cooked, go ahead and drain off any extra grease. This just makes the final dish taste cleaner and so much better.

Simmering the Ground Beef Bulgogi

Now for the super fun part where all the flavors meld. Pour that delicious sauce you made earlier right over the browned beef in the skillet. Give it a good stir to make sure every piece of beef is coated in that glorious sweet and savory mixture. Let it come up to a simmer, then lower the heat just a touch if it’s bubbling too wildly. Let it cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. You’ll see the sauce start to thicken up and get a little sticky, clinging to the beef beautifully – that’s the caramelization doing its thing! If you’re adding any veggies like sliced onions or shredded carrots, now’s the time to toss them in and let them soften up a bit. If you’re adding delicate spinach, just stir it in at the very end until it wilts; it only takes a second!

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Serving Your Ground Beef Bulgogi Skillet Meal

Alright, the moment of truth! This ground beef bulgogi is ready to shine. Honestly, serving it up is just as easy and fun as making it. My favorite way is to spoon this sticky, delicious beef right over a fluffy bed of rice. If you’re a fan of cilantro-lime rice, like the kind they serve at chipotle, you know how amazing that combo is – you can find my easy recipe for it here! Or, for something a little lighter and super refreshing, pile it into crisp lettuce cups. They’re like little edible bowls, perfect for a healthy weeknight meal, kind of like how I like to do my veggie fajita wraps! Don’t forget those gorgeous green scallions sliced thinly and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for that extra pop of flavor and texture. It really takes it to the next level!

Ground Beef Bulgogi Meal Prep and Storage

This ground beef bulgogi is honestly a meal prep dream! Since it comes together so fast, it’s perfect for making ahead for lunches during the week. Just let the cooked bulgogi cool down completely, then portion it out into airtight containers. I love dividing it into individual servings with some cooked rice and maybe even some quick-pickled carrots or kimchi. It’ll stay good in the fridge for about 3-4 days, making those busy weekdays so much easier. Reheat it gently in the microwave or a skillet, and it’s almost as good as fresh! It’s truly one of my favorite weeknight dinner survival hacks.

Tips for the Best Ground Beef Bulgogi

Alright, let’s make sure your ground beef bulgogi is absolutely perfect! A few little tricks can make all the difference. First, when you’re browning the beef, don’t crowd the pan! Cook it in batches if you have to. Overcrowding steams the meat instead of browning it, and we want those lovely caramelized bits. Taste the sauce as it simmers; my palates sometimes want a little more sweetness, or maybe a splash more soy sauce for saltiness. Fine-tune it! And for that amazing sticky-sweet glaze, make sure you let it simmer uncovered for those last few minutes – that’s crucial for letting the liquid reduce and getting that perfect caramelized coating. For more cooking adventures and kitchen wisdom, you can always browse my blog!

Frequently Asked Questions about Ground Beef Bulgogi

Got questions about this super easy ground beef bulgogi? I’ve got you! It’s one of those recipes that’s flexible, so let’s dive into some common things people ask me.

Can I use a different type of ground meat?

Absolutely! While ground beef is classic, ground turkey or even ground chicken works really well here. If you’re going plant-based, crumbled firm tofu or finely chopped mushrooms would be delicious substitutes. Just adjust your cooking time as needed.

How can I make it spicier?

Easy peasy! For a little kick, sprinkle in about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes right along with the other sauce ingredients before you start cooking. You can also add a swirl of sriracha or gochujang (Korean chili paste) at the end! Adjust the heat to your liking.

What are good vegetable additions?

Oh, the veggies! Beyond the onions and spinach I mentioned, shredded cabbage wilts up beautifully, and chopped bell peppers add a nice crunch and color. Even some frozen peas or edamame tossed in towards the end would be great.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you totally can! The bulgogi sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. This way, when dinner time rolls around, all you have to do is brown the beef and add the pre-made sauce. So convenient!

Nutritional Information

So, let’s talk numbers for this super tasty ground beef bulgogi! While every kitchen is a little different, I usually figure a serving comes out to about 350 calories. It’s packed with protein (around 22g!) thanks to that ground beef, and you’re getting about 25g of carbs and 18g of fat. Remember, these are just estimates, and things can change a bit depending on the exact ingredients you use and how big your portions are! If you want all the nitty-gritty details and my full disclaimer, you can check it out here. It’s good to have a general idea, right?

Share Your Ground Beef Bulgogi Creations!

I absolutely love hearing from you all! Have you tried this speedy ground beef bulgogi yet? Did you tweak it with different veggies or add a little extra spice? Let me know all about it in the comments below – I’m always looking for new inspiration! If you snap any pictures, please share them on social media and tag us; I’d be thrilled to see your delicious creations! You can find us on Facebook here!

Quick Ground Beef Bulgogi Skillet

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A fast and flavorful Korean-inspired ground beef bulgogi skillet dinner, perfect for weeknights. This budget-friendly meal features tender ground beef coated in a sweet and savory sauce, ideal for serving over rice or in lettuce wraps.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 15 min
• Total Time: 25 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Korean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons mirin (or rice vinegar)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional garnishes: sliced scallions, toasted sesame seeds
• Optional additions: sliced onions, shredded carrots, spinach

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Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
2. While the beef cooks, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper in a small bowl.
3. Pour the sauce over the browned ground beef in the skillet. Stir to combine.
4. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and caramelized, coating the beef. If adding vegetables like onions or carrots, add them during the last few minutes of cooking. If adding spinach, stir it in until wilted.
5. Serve the ground beef bulgogi hot over cooked rice or in lettuce cups. Garnish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

• This recipe is easily adaptable for meal prep. Portion into containers with rice and your favorite vegetables for lunches throughout the week.
• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• Consider this a great alternative to some meal planning services, offering a quick and satisfying dish.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 70mg