Korean Beef and Barley Lunch Bowl

Name: Korean Beef and Barley Lunch Bowl
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 7 servings
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 1.5 cup pearl barley (uncooked); 4.5 cup water; 1.5 pound ground beef (90% lean); 4 clove garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (minced); 0.33 cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoon brown sugar; 2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil; 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 6 cup baby spinach; 2 cup shredded red cabbage; 1 bunch green onions (sliced)

Chewy pearl barley layered with savory-sweet seasoned ground beef, tender wilted spinach, shredded red cabbage, and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 25 min
Total: 35 min
Servings: 7
Cuisine: Korean
Difficulty: Easy

Dietary

Dairy-Free
Nut-Free
Egg-Free
Kosher
High-Protein
Low-Sugar
Low-Saturated-Fat
Low-Cholesterol
Low-Calorie

Ingredients

1.5 cup pearl barley (uncooked)
4.5 cup water
1.5 pound ground beef (90% lean)
4 clove garlic (minced)
1 tablespoon fresh ginger (minced)
0.33 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
6 cup baby spinach
2 cup shredded red cabbage
1 bunch green onions (sliced)

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine pearl barley and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until tender. Drain any remaining water and fluff with a fork.
While barley simmers, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, minced garlic, and minced fresh ginger. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking meat up with a wooden spoon until browned and fully cooked through.
Stir soy sauce, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes into the cooked beef. Simmer for 2 minutes until glossy and well combined, then transfer beef to a plate.
In the same hot skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil and baby spinach. Toss for 1 to 2 minutes until spinach is just wilted, then remove from heat.
Divide cooked pearl barley into 7 lunch containers. Top each bowl with equal portions of seasoned ground beef, wilted spinach, crisp shredded red cabbage, and sliced green onions.

Notes

Reheats cleanly in a microwave in 1 to 2 minutes. The combination of chewy barley and crisp cabbage retains excellent texture throughout the week.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 435
Protein: 30.2 g
Carbohydrates: 44.5 g
Fat: 15.1 g
Fiber: 7.8 g
Sodium: 580 mg
Saturated Fat: 4.6 g
Sugar: 5.9 g
Cholesterol: 62 mg