Korean-Inspired Bulgogi Bowls
Savor the sweet umami of bulgogi with a crunch of pickled cucumbers and carrots, drizzled in a tantalizing sauce, topped with sesame seeds and green onion. This is a quick and healthy weeknight dinner or lunch option, is gluten-free and refined-sugar free and can be made with any meat including vegan crumbles!
- Preparation 20 min
- Cook 10 min
- Serves 2-3 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb meat of choice or raw meat-free crumbles
- 1 small cucumber
- 1 large carrot
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 cup water
- 2 green onions chopped (separate greens from whites)
- 2-3 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- sesame oil as needed
- 0.25 cup soy sauce or tamari
- 0.25 cup pear juice
- 2 tbsp Just Date Syrup
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 large clove garlic minced
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Cook the rice in an instant pot or according to stove-top directions.
- Slice the cucumber in ribbons and quick pickle them.
- Slice the carrots in thin ovals and cook for 2 minutes in oil. Set aside.
- Combine sauce ingredients (soy sauce, pear juice, date syrup, ginger, garlic, sesame oil) in a pot on medium heat until just starting to bubble. Remove from heat.
- In a skillet, heat sesame oil and add the whites of onion. Saute for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add meat or meatless crumbles and break it up, cooking until browned, about 4-6 minutes.
- Add the vinegar and stir for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the bulgogi sauce and bring to a simmer. Immediately turn off heat.
- Season if needed with salt and pepper.
- Fluff rice and put in a bowl. Add the crumbles, carrots and cucumbers. Sprinkle sesame seeds and scallion greens on top. Enjoy.