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Some nights call for comfort food that doesn’t take hours in the kitchen and some busy weeknights call for quick meals. This easy ground beef recipe takes very little effort, uses pantry staples and is budget friendly.

The best part? It’s versatile. You can serve it in so many different ways which can suit the whole family. Whether you pile it on a bun like a sloppy joe, spoon it over fluffy white rice and make quick Korean beef bowls, brown rice with a side of steamed broccoli , make Korean lettuce wraps, toss it with asian noodles or pasta, this dish adapts to whatever you’re craving.

This simple dish is win-win in general at our household for it being a one pan dinner (which I love) and I get to use up my ground beef that my freezer is always stocked with. Aside from our favorite ground beef bolognese pasta, this is one of my favorite ways to use up ground beef! It comes together so quickly, yet it’s full of flavor. This also makes a perfect meal prep you can store in these large airtight containers.

If you like a little heat, add red pepper flakes for a more spicy flavor.

The sauce is savory with a hint of sweetness. The caramelized onions give the dish crunch and great flavors. This Korean ground beef recipe sort of reminds me of the Korean beef bulgogi. Definitely add this ground beef recipe to your weeknight dinner rotation!

Ingredients:

3 lbs ground beef
1 extra-large onion, sliced into 1inch pieces (about 3 cups)
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced or pressed
½ tsp fresh ginger (grated)
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp black pepper
1–2 tbsp olive oil

Sauce

½ cup Kikkoman regular soy sauce
½ cup filtered water
½ cup honey (may substitute with brown sugar)

To finish:

1tbsp of Cornstarch + 1-2tbsp water slurry (to thicken)

Instructions:

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, and honey and set aside.

2. Heat a large skillet or wok on high heat until it is steaming. Add just a drizzle of olive oil and add the cut onions with a pinch of salt.

Cook for 1-2 minutes without mixing then toss the pan and cook additional 1-2 minutes allowing just the edges to brown and caramelize then take off the heat immediately. (You want to just caramelize the onions, not cook them to soften. They need to stay crunchy)

3. To the same pan, (still on high heat) drizzle 1 tbsp of olive oil and add in the ground beef breaking it apart to chunks as it cooks. No need to mince it up here. (Use this meat chopper for help) Season with 1/2tsp of salt, 1/2tsp of black pepper, and cook until the beef browns then lower the heat to medium-high.

4. Drain or scoop out all the excess fat from the skillet.

5. Add pressed garlic and grated ginger. Cook for about a minute to release the fragrance.

6. Add back the caramelized onions and sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer.

scooping out excess grease from ground beef

When the sauce is simmering, add the cornstarch slurry. Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the beef, then immediately take off the heat. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Serve hot—over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, in buns, or however you like best.

This meat mixture can also be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.

This Ground Beef with Onions is quick, comforting and family-friendly. The kind of meal that proves weeknight dinners don’t have to be complicated to taste amazing. With just a handful of ingredients and under 30 minutes, you’ve got a meal that feels special yet practical enough for busy nights, and disappears fast at the dinner table. Serve it your favorite way, and watch how quickly the pan gets scraped clean—it’s one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again.

Don’t forget to tag me on social media @alenashomecooking if you do make this, it’s inspiring seeing my recipes on your tables.

Other Ground Beef Recipes:

One Pot Pasta Beef Bolognese Recipe (Easy Dinner)(With VIDEO)

5 from 2 votes

Easy Ground beef with Onions (Korean-Inspired style)

Author Alena’s Home Cooking

Ingredients

3 lbs ground beef
1 extra-large onion sliced into 1inch pieces (about 3 cups)
4 cloves garlic minced
½ tsp fresh grated ginger
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 –2 tbsp olive oil

Sauce:

½ cup Kikkoman soy sauce
½ cup filtered water
½ cup honey

To Finish:

1 tbsp of Cornstarch + 1-2tbsp water slurry to thicken

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, and honey and set aside.
Heat a large skillet or wok on high heat until it is steaming. Add just a drizzle of olive oil and add the cut onions with a pinch of salt.
Cook for 1-2 minutes without mixing then toss the pan and cook additional 1-2 minutes allowing just the edges to brown and caramelize then take off the heat immediately. (You want to just caramelize the onions not cook them to soften. They need to stay crunchy)
To the same pan, (still on high heat) drizzle 1 tbsp of olive oil and add in the ground beef breaking it apart to chunks as it cooks. (Use this meat chopper for help) Season with 1/2tsp of salt, 1/2tsp of black pepper, and cook until the beef browns.
Drain or scoop out all the access fat from the skillet.
Add pressed garlic and grated ginger. Cook for about a minute to release the fragrance.
Add back the caramelized onions and sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
When the sauce is simmering, add the cornstarch slurry. Cook on medium heat until the sauce thickens and coats the beef, then immidietly take off the heat. Garnish with green onions if desired.