Print
Close up of a glass container of a Korean beef meal prep bowl with sesame seeds and sliced green onion with bibimbap gochujang sauce on a white background.

Korean Beef Meal Prep Bowls

Author: Stephanie Kay

These bibimbap-inspired Korean beef meal prep bowls are packed full of protein and veggies and work equally well for lunch or dinner.

  • Author: Stephanie Kay
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 bowls 1x

Ingredients

Beef:

Bowls:

Sauce (Optional):

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, add the beef marinade ingredients: soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic, and whisk to combine.
  2. Add the thinly sliced beef to the bowl of marinade, toss until well combined, and set it aside for at least 10 minutes.
  3. In a small pot, combine the rice with 3 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, and allow to cook covered for 15 minutes, or as per package directions, until it can be fluffed with a fork.
  4. In a small bowl, add the sauce ingredients: gochujang, rice vinegar, water, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic, and whisk to combine. Set aside.
  5. In a large pan or cast-iron skillet on medium heat, warm a drizzle of sesame oil, add the carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, bean sprouts, and spinach, and cook for 2-3 minutes until all of the vegetables are tender. Once cooked, remove them from the pan and set them aside on a plate to cool. (If you prefer to keep the vegetables separate in your bowl, as I did, cook them in batches, one vegetable at a time.)
  6. In the same pan, on medium-high heat, add the marinated beef strips, and cook them, flipping them at least once, for 3-4 minutes until cooked through and the edges are slightly crispy.
  7. Once all of the components are ready, prepare the meal prep bowls. Divide the cooked rice, beef, and vegetables evenly across 4 airtight containers and top with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped green onion, and divide the dressing evenly across 4 small jars. Cover everything with lids and store them all in the fridge.
  8. The bowls can be served immediately, stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Notes

To Use Ground Beef: Swap the steak for 1 pound of ground beef. Prepare the marinade as per step #1, skip step #2, and cook the ground beef in step #6: cook for 5-6 minutes until mostly browned, cover with marinade, then allow to cook for a final 1-2 minutes until slightly crispy.

To Use Brown Rice: Swap the white rice for equal parts brown rice and increase the cooking time to 30-40 minutes or until the rice is tender and can be fluffed with a fork.

To Use Garlic Powder: Swap every 2 garlic cloves for 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.

Nutrition