The Perfect Teriyaki Rice Bowls Recipe for Cozy Weeknight Dinners

Ground beef teriyaki rice bowls represent a perfect fusion of Asian-inspired flavors and comfort food essentials.

Hearty and satisfying, this popular dish redefines simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal that appeals to all ages.

Saucy and aromatic, the teriyaki sauce infuses each bite with a delightful balance of sweet and umami notes.

Nutritious vegetables add color, texture, and essential nutrients to the protein-packed base.

Weeknight dinner challenges disappear when you can whip up such a delicious and filling meal in minutes.

Home cooks appreciate how effortlessly these rice bowls come together without compromising on taste or presentation.

Ground Beef Teriyaki Rice Bowls: A Quick, Tasty Meal

• Savor Speedy Flavor Fusion: Dive into a quick, mouthwatering meal that blends Asian-inspired teriyaki sauce with hearty ground beef and fresh vegetables in just 30 minutes.
• Master Easy One-Pan Magic: Effortlessly create a complete dinner using a single skillet, reducing cleanup time and making weeknight cooking a breeze for busy home chefs.
• Customize Your Comfort Bowl: Flexibility reigns supreme with options to serve over rice or noodles, swap vegetables, and adjust seasonings to match your taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Nutrient-Packed Powerhouse Meal: Enjoy a balanced dish combining lean protein from ground beef, vibrant vegetables, and a deliciously sticky teriyaki sauce that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

What You Need for Ground Beef Teriyaki Rice Bowls

• Ground Beef: Lean protein that forms the base of the dish, best when freshly ground with moderate fat content.
• Sesame Oil: Adds rich, nutty flavor to the ground beef during cooking.

• Soy Sauce: Provides classic Asian-inspired umami and saltiness to the teriyaki sauce.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds subtle tangy brightness to balance the sauces sweetness.
• Water: Helps create the right sauce consistency and volume.
• White Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweet caramelized depth to the teriyaki sauce.
• Cornstarch: Essential thickening agent for creating glossy sauce texture.

• Broccoli: Adds nutritious green vegetable with crisp texture.
• Carrots: Introduces sweet crunch and additional nutrition.
• Ginger: Provides warm, spicy aromatic base for the sauce.
• Garlic: Delivers pungent, robust flavor to both sauce and meat.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Enhance overall seasoning of the ground beef.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish with mild onion flavor.
• Salt: Balances and enhances all other flavors in the dish.

• Rice or Noodles: Neutral base to absorb the flavorful teriyaki sauce.

How to Make Flavorful Teriyaki Beef Rice Bowls

Step 1: Prepare Teriyaki Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Water
• Sugars
• Rice vinegar
• Ginger
• Garlic

Whisk ingredients and bring to a boil.

Step 2: Thicken Sauce

In a small bowl, mix warm water and cornstarch. Pour mixture into boiling sauce, stirring until sauce thickens.

Step 3: Cook Ground Beef

• Sesame oil
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt

Crumble beef while cooking and drain excess fat.

Step 4: Add Vegetables and Sauce

• Chopped broccoli
• Carrots
• Thickened teriyaki sauce

Bring mixture to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Serve teriyaki beef over rice or noodles. Sprinkle sliced green onions on top for extra flavor.

Tips for Cooking Ground Beef to Perfection

• Maximize Flavor Depth: Toast sesame oil briefly before adding ground beef to enhance its nutty, rich undertones.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Dissolve cornstarch completely in warm water to prevent lumpy teriyaki sauce and ensure smooth thickening.
• Vegetable Timing Matters: Add broccoli and carrots during the last 5 minutes of cooking to maintain crisp texture and vibrant color.
• Fat Management Technique: Drain excess beef fat thoroughly to prevent greasy rice bowls and allow seasonings to shine.
• Green Onion Pro Tip: Slice green onions diagonally for an elegant garnish that adds fresh, sharp flavor and visual appeal.

Storing Ground Beef Teriyaki Rice Bowls for Later Meals

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled teriyaki beef to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep rice or noodles in a separate container to prevent sogginess.
• Freeze: Pack meal in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with date and contents to track freshness.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated or thawed ground beef teriyaki in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until heated through. For best texture, add a splash of water or extra teriyaki sauce to prevent drying. Alternatively, reheat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally to distribute warmth evenly. Always ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

Pair Ground Beef Teriyaki Rice Bowls with These Sides

• Craft Crisp Asian-Inspired Beverage Pairings: Complement the teriyaki beef's bold flavors with a chilled Japanese beer like Sapporo or Asahi, which cuts through the rich sauce and refreshes the palate.
• Balance Flavor Dynamics: Serve alongside a light, slightly sweet sake that enhances the teriyaki's umami notes and provides a smooth counterpoint to the ground beef's hearty texture.
• Elevate Vegetable Crunch Accompaniment: Pour a citrusy green tea that highlights the broccoli and carrot's fresh elements while cleansing the mouth between savory bites of the teriyaki bowl.
• Create Complementary Side Exploration: Add a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame seeds to provide a cool, crisp contrast to the warm, saucy rice bowl.

Get Creative with Ground Beef Teriyaki Rice Bowls

• Protein Power Bowl: Swap ground beef with diced chicken or tofu for a leaner protein option, keeping the teriyaki sauce and vegetable mix intact.
• Veggie Lovers' Edition: Replace meat entirely with extra firm tofu or a plant-based ground meat substitute, enhancing vegetable content with additional colorful bell peppers and zucchini.
• Spicy Kickback Version: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the teriyaki mixture for heat lovers, incorporating sliced jalapeños during the cooking process for extra punch.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Use cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice, reducing carbohydrate intake while maintaining the rich teriyaki flavor profile.

Teriyaki Rice Bowls Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory Ground Beef Teriyaki Rice Bowls bring Japanese-inspired comfort to weeknight dinners. Juicy seasoned beef nestles over fluffy rice, drizzled with homemade teriyaki sauce that will make you crave this quick and satisfying meal again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Sauce and Seasonings:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger paste
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic

Thickening and Liquid Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) water
• 2 tablespoons warm water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

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Instructions

1. Create a flavor-packed teriyaki sauce by combining soy sauce, water, brown and white sugars, rice vinegar, minced fresh ginger, and crushed garlic in a saucepan over medium-high heat (237 milliliters/8 fluid ounces water).
2. Whisk the sauce ingredients continuously until the mixture reaches a rolling boil, releasing aromatic flavors and dissolving sugars completely.
3. Prepare a cornstarch slurry by mixing warm water (59 milliliters/2 fluid ounces) with cornstarch in a separate small bowl until smooth and lump-free.
4. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the boiling sauce, stirring vigorously to create a glossy, thickened teriyaki sauce that coats the back of a spoon.
5. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add sesame oil, allowing it to shimmer before adding ground beef.
6. Crumble the ground beef while cooking, seasoning with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt to enhance the meat’s natural flavors.
7. Drain any excess fat from the beef to ensure a lean and flavorful protein base.
8. Add finely chopped broccoli florets and julienned carrots to the skillet, creating a vibrant vegetable medley.
9. Pour the thickened teriyaki sauce over the beef and vegetables, stirring to coat evenly.
10. Reduce heat and simmer the mixture for 12-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and vegetables to become tender-crisp.
11. Serve the teriyaki beef and vegetable mixture over steamed white or brown rice, garnishing with thinly sliced green onions for a fresh, zesty finish.

Notes

• Quick teriyaki sauce packs a punch of sweet and savory flavors, creating a restaurant-worthy meal at home.
• Cornstarch acts as a magical thickening agent, transforming thin liquid into a glossy, clinging sauce.
• Ground beef transforms into a protein-packed base that absorbs the rich teriyaki glaze perfectly.
• Fresh vegetables add vibrant color, crisp texture, and extra nutrition to the hearty rice bowl.
• Green onions sprinkled on top bring a fresh, sharp contrast to the deep, caramelized teriyaki flavors.
• Versatile recipe allows easy swaps like chicken or tofu for different dietary preferences.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 120 kcal
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: <1g
• Protein: <1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg