Koren Ground Beef and Rice Bowl

Are you getting bored with chicken? Leery of making something different because you’re not confident in your cooking skills? Never fear. I have a simple, high-protein beef dinner that’s savory, meaty, and just a little sweet.

_{GLP-1-Friendly High-Protein Korean Beef Bowl}

Based on a traditional bulgogi recipe, this version uses ground beef instead of grilled sirloin, but it still has that classic combination of caramelized soy sauce, sugar, and toasted sesame oil.

With about 35 grams of protein and around 306 calories per serving, it’s a solid choice for a GLP-1 meal—especially if you’re struggling with your appetite. Add a vegetable on the side, and you’ll probably make a dietitian happy too.

I didn’t come up with this one myself—it was recommended to me by someone who knows I’m not much of a cook. I’ve had it for dinner several times now, and it’s one of those meals that’s simple, filling, and easy to keep coming back to.

The ingredient list might look a little long, but most of it is just basic seasoning. The actual cooking process comes together quickly and is much easier than it looks. Honestly, if I can make this, anyone can—and I say that as someone who hesitates to use salt, much less sesame oil.

Instructions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and garlic, breaking the meat into crumbles until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, red pepper flakes, and pepper. Pour the sauce over the cooked beef and simmer on low for 1–2 minutes. You can also remove the skillet from the heat before adding the sesame oil to help preserve its nutty flavor, since high heat can make sesame oil taste bitter.
3. Serve over hot rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Traditional toppings include cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, and scallions, or you can keep it simple and add steamed broccoli.

What Makes this High Protein

• Lean ground beef (95% lean) provides about 35g of protein per serving
• Brown rice adds another 2–3g of protein plus 1–2g of fiber per 1/2 cup serving

Together, they create a simple, high-protein meal that helps break up the monotony of the usual dinner routine while still fitting well into a GLP-1 diet.

Notes

Substitutions

• Swap the ground beef for ground chicken, turkey, pork, or lamb. It will slightly change the flavor, but the recipe still works well.
• Try a different sweetener. Agave, honey, maple syrup, or either light or dark brown sugar all work well in this recipe.
• Serve with your favorite grain. White rice, jasmine rice, brown rice, farro, or even cauliflower rice make a great base. Want to save time? Use microwaveable rice.
• Toppings can be whatever you have in the fridge. Peas, bell peppers, cabbage, kale, corn, broccoli, carrots, and cucumbers all work well and help keep the meal interesting.

Storage and Reheating Tips

• Store leftover beef and rice separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• To reheat, place the rice and beef in a microwave-safe bowl with 1 tablespoon of water. Cover and microwave for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until heated through.

How I Eat This

The protein and fiber in this Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowl make it filling and nutrient-dense without feeling overly heavy, which also makes it a great option for low-appetite days on GLP-1 medications.

If you’re looking for another easy, high-protein meal that fits well into a GLP-1 diet while also breaking up the usual dinner routine, check out my 15 Bean Soup. It’s just as simple to make, packed with 22g of protein, and another great option for days when your appetite is low.

Related Reading

• My 7-Day GLP-1 Meal Plan
• How Much Protein Do You Really Need on a GLP-1?
• Nutrition Basics for GLP-1 Users
• My GLP-1 Grocery List

Nutrition

4 servings / 306 calories