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Beef Bulgogi Bowls

Name: Ground Beef Bulgogi Bowls
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds lean ground beef; ½ cup soy sauce; 3 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 tablespoons sesame oil; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 tablespoon water; 5 cloves minced garlic; ½ cup chopped green onions (plus more for garnish); 1 tablespoon sesame seeds; 1 cup jasmine rice; 4 cups shredded cabbage (or coleslaw mix); 8 mini sweet peppers (sliced); 1 english cucumber (sliced); 2 green onions (finely sliced); 2 tablespoons mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce; 1 tablespoon lime juice

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Author:

Kimber Matherne

Updated:

July 22, 2025

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Beef Bulgogi Bowls are an easy dinner that’s loved by all! These bowls are made with fluffy jasmine rice topped with juicy, sweet, and salty beef, crunchy veggies, and a 3-ingredient creamy chili sauce.

above image of a beef bulgogi bowl topped with sliced pepper and cucumber.

Table of contents

I love a meal that has everything I need packed into one DELICIOUS bowl.

These Beef Bulgogi Bowls are full of carbs, protein, veggies, and (of course) so much flavor.

Why I LOVE this recipe!

Easy to make – Just a quick 20 minutes before you’re digging in to a delicious dinner.
Great for meal prep – Get ahead and prep most of your beef bowl components ahead of time.
Customizable – Make this recipe your own with all your favorite toppings.

What is Beef Bulgogi?

Traditional beef bulgogi is made of sliced steak that’s grilled over an open flame. The word “bulgogi” translates to “fire meat” which refers to that particular cooking method.

While this recipe is made with pan-cooked ground beef, the other components of the recipe and the sauce are the same as the traditional version!

Recipe Notes

This Bulgogi Bowl Recipe is as simple as promised! Just 20 minutes total for a family friendly dinner.

In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make a Bulgogi Bowl to get the absolute best and most delicious results.

Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.

Ingredients + Substitutions

For the Beef:

Ground Beef – I recommend using a lean ground beef for this recipe.
Bulgogi Sauce – A mix of soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and black pepper.
Cornstarch Slurry – A mix of cornstarch and water helps thicken the sauce to create the best texture.
Garlic
Green Onions
Sesame Seeds

For the Bowls

Jasmine Rice
Shredded Cabbage – You can shred your own cabbage or buy a bag of coleslaw mix.
Sweet Peppers
Cucumber
Green Onions
Creamy Chili Sauce – A blend of mayonnaise, chili garlic sauce, and lime juice.

Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.

Recipe Variations

If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, then these little tips will do the trick!

Use another meat – Make these Bulgogi Bowl with pork, ground turkey, chicken, or even tofu for a protein swap.
Make it low-carb – Swap the jasmine rice out for cauliflower rice for a lower carb meal.
Spice it up – Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to your bulgogi sauce for some extra heat.

Recipe Step by Step

I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make a Bulgogi Rice Bowl.

Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and black pepper in a small bowl. In a separate dish, combine cornstarch and water, then add that into the sauce. Finish with green onions and garlic.

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess grease, then pour in the prepared bulgogi sauce. Simmer for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.

rice, cabbage, and sliced cucumber in a bowl.

Add cooked rice to a bowl, then top with cabbage and cucumbers. In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, chili garlic sauce, and lime juice.

above image of an assembled beef bulgogi bowl topped with creamy chili sauce.

Top your bed of rice with beef bulgogi, peppers, green onions, and a drizzle of prepared chili garlic sauce. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

Check the temp of the beef – Use a meat thermometer to make sure your beef is ready to go. It should be 165ºF.
Drain the grease before adding sauce – After you cook the beef, drain any excess grease that collects before you add your prepared sauce. That way, you don’t just pour the sauce out with the grease!
Customize! – Swap the protein, use a lower-carb base, add other veggies, you name it. These Bulgogi Bowls are so easy to make just the way you like them, so get creative!

Recipe Short Cuts

If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!

Get pre-sliced veggies – Chop your own cabbage, peppers, and cucumber OR find pre-sliced and chopped varieties at the store.
Make the beef ahead of time – Cooked ground beef will last for 2-3 days in the fridge. Cook the beef in advance, store it in the fridge for a couple of days before serving, then simply reheat it on the stove and serve with rice and toppings.

Freezer Meal Instructions

Making this Beef Bulgogi recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.

How to Freeze Beef Bulgogi After Cooking

Let the beef cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container.
Store the beef in the freezer for up to 1 month.
When you’re ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat and serve with rice and toppings!

What to Serve with Beef Bulgogi

Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of Asian food, it will pair well with many of your favorite Asian-inspired side dishes.

Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light. I’ve also included a list of some alternative toppings for further customizations!

Side Dish Ideas

Asian Cucumber Salad – Asian Cucumber Salad is a fresh and flavorful way to round out your meal. It’s made with thin slices of cucumber tossed in a sweet, salty, and savory dressing.
Asian Zing Wings – These Asian Zing Wings are simple, flavorful, and the perfect hearty addition to your meal. They’re made with juicy chicken wings slathered in seasonings and drenched in a sweet and spicy Asian Zing sauce.
Spicy Sriracha Asian Coleslaw – Add some spice to your meal with this Sriracha Coleslaw. It’s a 6-ingredient recipe that features crunchy slaw mix, green onions, and cilantro tossed in a creamy, tangy, and spicy sauce.

Topping Ideas:

Spicy Mayo
Kimchi
Fried Egg
Sautéed Mushrooms
Sautéed Peppers and Onions
Pickled or Fried Jalapeños

Beef Bulgogi Leftovers

If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! The rice and beef both save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.

To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions, then place in an airtight container and store:

in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
in the freezer up to a month

Leftover Recipes

Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!

Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps – Use your leftover beef and veggies to make these Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps filled with beef, water chestnuts, carrots, green onions, spicy mayo, and a delicious yum yum sauce.
Beef and Broccoli – Whip up a makeshift version of my Easy Beef and Broccoli by simply using your leftover beef and adding sautéed or steamed broccoli seasoned to your liking.

Recipe FAQ’s

What does Bulgogi taste like?

While rice and beef are some key components of bulgogi, the flavor really comes from the sauce! Bulgogi sauce is made with soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil which provides just the right amount of sweet, salty, and savory flavor.