Description
A hands-off slow cooker recipe featuring tender, flavorful Korean-style ground beef served over rice with fresh veggies, perfect for easy summer dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- ½ cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste), optional
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 3 stalks green onions, sliced thinly
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 4 cups cooked white or brown rice
- Cucumber slices or shredded carrots (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce by combining soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and gochujang (if using) in a mixing bowl. Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it apart until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
- Transfer the browned beef to the crockpot and pour the sauce mixture over it. Stir gently to coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until beef is tender and flavors meld.
- Cook rice according to package directions while beef cooks.
- About 15 minutes before serving, stir in toasted sesame oil into the crockpot.
- Serve the Korean beef over rice, garnished with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and optional fresh cucumber slices or shredded carrots.
Notes
Brown the beef before slow cooking to lock in flavor and improve texture. Add cornstarch slurry in last 30 minutes if sauce is too thin. Adjust heat by varying gochujang amount or adding red pepper flakes. Use tamari for gluten-free option. Fresh garnishes add crunch and brightness.
- Prep Time: 18 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours (low) or 2 to 3 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the rec
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Protein: 28
Keywords: crockpot Korean beef bowls, slow cooker Korean beef, easy summer dinner, Korean beef recipe, ground beef Korean style, crockpot dinner, Korean comfort food