One-Pot Korean Beef and Rice with Gochujang and Scallions
A quick, savory one-pot meal combining tender ground beef cooked with spicy gochujang paste, soy sauce, and garlic, served over fluffy steamed rice with fresh scallions. This korean-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground beef, gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked jasmine rice
- 2 1/4 cups water
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 stalks scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula.
- Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, 2 tbsp gochujang, 3 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant and the beef is fully coated.
- Step 3: Add 1 1/2 cups uncooked jasmine rice and 2 1/4 cups water to the pot. Stir to combine, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice and beef mixture with a fork, then garnish with 4 thinly sliced scallions and 1 tbsp sesame seeds before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Korean Beef and Rice with Gochujang and Scallions take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Korean Beef and Rice with Gochujang and Scallions?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Korean Beef and Rice with Gochujang and Scallions?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Korean Beef and Rice with Gochujang and Scallions for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Korean Beef and Rice with Gochujang and Scallions?
Korean one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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