Easy Korean Beef Bibimbap Bowl: A Healthy Weeknight Dinner Idea

Bibimbap, which literally means "mixed rice with meat and vegetables," is a vibrant and incredibly satisfying Korean dish.1 It's a one-bowl wonder that is as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat. This easy version brings the classic flavors of bibimbap to your weeknight dinner table, making it a healthy, complete, and fun meal for the whole family.

The beauty of bibimbap is the harmony of its components: warm rice, savory marinated beef, a medley of crisp-tender vegetables, and a spicy-sweet sauce that ties it all together. The best part? You can customize it with whatever vegetables you have on hand. It's a quick and nourishing meal that you'll want to add to your regular rotation.

Easy Korean Beef Bibimbap Bowl

Yields: 4 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • For the Bowl:

    • 4 cups cooked white or brown rice

    • 1 lb sirloin steak, thinly sliced (or ground beef)

    • 2 carrots, julienned

    • 1 large cucumber, julienned

    • 1 bunch fresh spinach

    • 4 large eggs

    • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for cooking)

  • For the Beef Marinade & Sauce:

    • ¼ cup soy sauce

    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic

    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    • For the Bibimbap Sauce:

    • 4 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)2

    • 2 tablespoons sesame oil

    • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

    • 1 tablespoon honey or sugar

    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic

Instructions

1. Marinate the Beef

  1. Combine Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and pepper.

  2. Marinate: Add the thinly sliced beef to the marinade. Stir to coat and let it sit for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the vegetables.

2. Prepare the Vegetables & Sauce

  1. Sauté Veggies: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Sauté the carrots for 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender. Remove from the skillet. Repeat with the cucumber and spinach, cooking the spinach just until it has wilted (about 1 minute).

  2. Cook Beef: Add the marinated beef to the same skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the beef is browned and cooked through.

  3. Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the gochujang, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, and garlic.

3. Assemble the Bowls

  1. Cook Eggs: In a separate skillet, cook the eggs to your preference (fried or sunny-side up are traditional).

  2. Build Bowl: Divide the cooked rice among four bowls. Artistically arrange the cooked beef, sautéed carrots, cucumber, and spinach in separate sections on top of the rice.

  3. Top: Place a fried egg in the center of each bowl. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

  4. Serve: Serve the bowls with a generous dollop of the bibimbap sauce on the side for each person to mix in.

Pro-Tips for a Perfect Bowl

  • The Right Rice: Use a short-grain white rice for the most authentic experience, as it has a perfect, sticky texture.

  • Marinate for Flavor: Marinating the beef, even for just a short time, adds a significant amount of flavor.

  • Garnish is Key: The beauty of bibimbap is in its colorful arrangement. Take a moment to arrange the vegetables in a visually appealing way.

  • Customization: Don't have these veggies? Use what you have! Sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, bean sprouts, or kimchi are all fantastic additions.

  • Mix It Up! The traditional way to eat bibimbap is to mix everything together in the bowl before you eat it.