Lately, I’ve been trying to make my weekdays feel a little less chaotic, and meal prep has honestly been saving me.

This recipe is part of my Meal Prep Series, where I’m sharing easy, realistic meals that fit into a busy work week without feeling boring. These beef bulgogi bowls are one of those recipes that taste so good you almost forget they were made for meal prep.

It’s savory, slightly sweet, high in protein, and comes together with just a few simple ingredients. Warm rice, flavorful ground beef, crisp cucumbers, and shredded carrots make it feel fresh and comforting at the same time.

Best part? It comes out to about $2 per serving, which makes it perfect for busy weeks when you want something affordable and satisfying.

Why I love this meal prep

This one checks all of my favorite boxes:

• high protein
• budget friendly
• simple ingredients
• easy to prep in under 20 minutes
• delicious enough to eat multiple days in a row

Nutrition facts (per serving)

• Calories: ~430
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 4g
• Carbohydrates: ~36g
• Fat: ~18g
• Estimated cost: about $2 per serving

I especially love that the cold cucumbers and carrots add freshness and crunch, so it doesn’t feel like a heavy meal prep bowl.

Servings:  4 servings

Calories:  430 calories

Ingredients:

0.5x

1x

2x

4x

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings.

•   1 lb Ground beef
•   2 cups rice (uncooked, can sub for brown rice for higher fiber)
•   1 cucumber (sliced )
•   2 medium carrots (shredded)
•   3 cloves garlic (minced)
•   3 tbsp soy sauce
•   1 tbsp honey
•   1 tsp sesame oil
•   1 tsp sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)

Ingredients are subject to availability at local stores. Unavailable items will be automatically substituted at best-effort.

Instructions

1. Cook the rice

Cook the rice according to package instructions.

This should yield about 4 cups cooked rice.

2. Prep the vegetables

Thinly slice the cucumber and shred the carrots.

Set aside for later.

3. Cook the beef

In a large pan over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart as it browns.

Once fully cooked, add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

4. Add the sauce

Stir in:

• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Cook for another 1–2 minutes until the beef looks glossy and lightly caramelized.

5. Assemble the bowls

Divide the rice evenly into 4 meal prep containers.

Top with the beef mixture, sliced cucumbers, and shredded carrots.

Finish with sesame seeds if using.