Easy Korean BBQ Steak Rice Bowls with Spicy Cream Sauce

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Introduction

Oh, friends, get ready for your new favorite weeknight obsession! This Easy Korean BBQ Steak Rice Bowl is a 30-minute miracle that tastes like a gourmet, “around the world food” experience. Imagine this: perfectly tender, savory-sweet slices of Korean BBQ steak, piled on a bed of fluffy, warm rice, and absolutely drenched in a velvety, spicy, and creamy Gochujang sauce. It’s one of those meals that strikes the most beautiful, perfect balance between exciting, vibrant, cozy flavor and a super-fast, high-protein, all-in-one dinner.

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Serving Versatility

This is the ultimate one-bowl wonder! It’s a complete and satisfying meal all on its own. But the components are fantastic in other ways, too! You can easily wrap the steak, rice, and sauce in a large tortilla for an epic Korean-style burrito, serve the steak and sauce over ramen noodles, or pile everything on a bed of fresh greens for a low-carb, high-protein salad bowl.

Full Recipe Section

Easy Korean BBQ Steak Rice Bowls with Spicy Cream Sauce

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 4 Calories: Approximately 720 kcal per bowl

Ingredients:

  • For the Korean BBQ Steak:
    • 1.5 lbs flank steak, sirloin, or flat iron steak
    • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
  • For the Spicy Cream Sauce:
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1-3 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chili paste), depending on your spice preference
    • 3/4 cup heavy cream
    • 1/4 cup chicken broth (or water)
    • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • For the Bowls:
    • 4 cups cooked jasmine or short-grain rice
    • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
    • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
    • Optional: Quick-pickled cucumbers, shredded carrots, or kimchi

Instructions:

  1. Prep Steak: Thinly slice the steak against the grain. (Pro-tip: Pop it in the freezer for 15 minutes to make it much easier to slice!). In a medium bowl, whisk together the 3 tbsp soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, 2 cloves of minced garlic, and grated ginger. Add the sliced steak and toss to coat. Let it marinate while you prep the sauce (or for at least 10 minutes).
  2. Cook Rice: Prepare your rice according to package directions.
  3. Start Cream Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the 3 cloves of minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Whisk in the Gochujang and cook for 30 seconds more.
  4. Finish Sauce: Slowly whisk in the heavy cream, chicken broth, and 1 tsp soy sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer (do not boil!) and cook for 3-4 minutes, whisking, until the sauce thickens slightly. Keep warm on low heat.
  5. Cook Steak: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Once screaming hot, add the steak in a single layer (work in batches!). Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until caramelized and cooked through.
  6. Assemble: Spoon the hot rice into four bowls. Top with a generous portion of the cooked Korean BBQ steak. Drizzle the spicy cream sauce all over the top. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • 30-Minute Meal: This is a restaurant-worthy, “fancy dinner recipes for family” meal that is on the table in 30 minutes flat.
  • Budget-Friendly: It stretches a single steak into a hearty, satisfying meal for the whole family.
  • Incredible Flavor: This is the ultimate “cozy flavor” combo! It’s sweet, savory, spicy, and creamy all in one bite.
  • High-Protein & Satisfying: This is a truly satisfying, high-protein meal that will keep you full and happy.
  • So Customizable: You can add steamed broccoli, or sautéed mushrooms, or top it with a jammy egg!

Cultural or Cooking Technique Note (Optional)

This recipe is a fun, modern “fusion” dish! It takes the classic savory-sweet flavors of Korean Bulgogi (literally “fire meat”) and pairs it with a rich, creamy sauce that’s become popular in modern Korean-American cooking. The most important technique here is cooking the steak in a very hot pan. This high-heat searing is what creates the Maillard reaction, giving you those delicious, caramelized, brown, and savory bits on the meat.

Serving Suggestions

  1. With a Jammy Egg: A 6-minute soft-boiled egg on top is a must for me. The creamy yolk just adds another level of richness.
  2. Add Veggies: Serve with a side of steamed broccoli, or stir-fry some bell peppers and onions after you cook the steak.
  3. With Kimchi: A small side of funky, spicy kimchi is a traditional and delicious pairing that cuts through the richness of the cream sauce.
  4. With Pickles: A few quick-pickled cucumbers or shredded carrots add a fantastic, bright, and tangy crunch.

Pro Tips for Success

  • Slice Steak Thin! This is the #1 secret to tender, non-chewy steak. Slicing against the grain is also essential.
  • Hot Pan, Don’t Crowd! Your pan must be screaming hot to get a good sear on the steak. Cook in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan, which causes the meat to steam instead of sear.
  • Control the Heat: Gochujang can be spicy! Start with 1 tablespoon in your cream sauce, taste it, and then add more if you want that fiery kick.
  • Don’t Boil the Cream Sauce: Once the cream is in, keep the sauce at a gentle, bare simmer. A rolling boil can cause the cream to separate.

Storage & Reheating

  • Storage: For best results, store the rice, steak, and sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating: Reheat the rice and steak in the microwave. Reheat the cream sauce gently in a small saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk or water to loosen it up.

Closing Paragraph

I am so incredibly excited for you to try this Easy Korean BBQ Steak Rice Bowl! It’s one of my all-time favorite “meals to cook with friends” or for a special date night in. It’s so fast, so cozy, and just bursting with flavor. If you try it, please leave a comment and a rating below. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

🎀 Final Thoughts

This is my ultimate “I want takeout but I want to stay in my sweatpants” meal. It feels so indulgent and impressive, but it’s my little secret that it’s faster to make than waiting for delivery. That first bite of the savory steak with the spicy, creamy sauce and rice… it’s just pure, delicious magic.

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