Description
These delicious Korean BBQ Steak Rice Bowls with Spicy Cream Sauce bring restaurant-quality Korean flavors to your home kitchen in just 30 minutes! Featuring tender marinated steak, fluffy rice, fresh vegetables, and a creamy gochujang sauce, these customizable bowls are perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Korean BBQ Marinade:
- 1 pound flank steak or ribeye, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free option)
- 2 tablespoons Korean gochujang paste
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 pear, grated (traditional Korean BBQ tenderizer)
- 2 green onions, chopped
For the Spicy Cream Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Korean gochujang paste
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Rice Bowls:
- 2 cups cooked white rice (short-grain or jasmine work well)
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 2 cups spinach, lightly sautéed
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 4 radishes, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons kimchi
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Green onions, chopped for garnish
- Cilantro leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Korean BBQ Marinade
- In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, gochujang paste, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and grated pear.
- Whisk all ingredients together until sugar is dissolved and the marinade is well combined.
- Place your thinly sliced steak in a ziplock bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over it.
- Massage the marinade into the meat, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours for maximum flavor penetration.
Make the Spicy Cream Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, gochujang paste, honey, lime juice, sesame oil, and garlic powder.
- Adjust spice level by adding more or less gochujang according to your preference.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. This sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead of time.
Cook the Korean BBQ Steak
- Remove the steak from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over high heat until smoking hot.
- Add the marinated steak pieces in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan (work in batches if needed).
- Cook for 1-2 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer if you prefer your steak more well-done.
- Transfer cooked steak to a clean plate and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.
Assemble the Rice Bowls
- Divide the cooked rice evenly among 4 bowls.
- Arrange the sliced Korean BBQ steak on top of the rice.
- Add the cucumber, carrot, spinach, avocado, radishes, and kimchi around the steak.
- Drizzle the spicy cream sauce generously over the bowls.
- Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and cilantro if using.
Notes
- Freeze the steak for 15-20 minutes before slicing to make it easier to get thin, even slices.
- The secret to authentic Korean BBQ flavor is the grated pear in the marinade – it not only adds sweetness but also helps tenderize the meat.
- For a smoky flavor, grill the marinated steak outdoors instead of using a pan.
- Make the marinade and sauce in advance to save time on busy weeknights.
- Gochujang paste can vary in spiciness between brands – always start with less and add more to taste.
- For a low-carb option, replace the rice with cauliflower rice or serve over mixed greens.
- Store components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- The spicy cream sauce will keep for up to 5 days refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Korean BBQ, steak rice bowls, gochujang sauce, spicy cream sauce, Korean beef bowl, easy Asian dinner, meal prep bowls, quick Korean recipe