Craving something quick, healthy, and packed with flavor? This High-Protein Korean Beef with Cottage Cheese is your new go-to! Juicy, savory ground beef cooked in mouthwatering Korean-style pairs perfectly with creamy cottage cheese for a surprising twist. Ready in under 30 minutes, this nutrient-packed dish is perfect for fitness lovers and flavor seekers alike—comfort food meets clean eating!
I HATED cottage cheese as a kid, 100% because of texture. I mean, it is kinda weird, right? Now I love it though I will say all cottage cheese is not created equally. I love the fat free Good Culture brand in case you were wondering.
So, when all of this viral high protein bowl stuff started I was pretty skeptical of eating meat and cottage cheese together unless it was an Americanized lasagna or our Ravioli Lasagna, but just like my kid self, I was totally wrong! I love making all sorts of high protein with cottage cheese recipes, but none have hit the spot quite like this Quick Asian recipe!
We have taken our favorite Korean ground beef and made it into a cottage cheese bowl! If you are suffering from dinner decision fatigue and you’re looking for something quick and easy but still full of flavor, then try this healthy ground beef recipe!
Ingredient Breakdown
It sounds weird, I know. Meat and cottage cheese? But trust me—this combo hits every craving: creamy, savory, sweet, spicy, and fresh. It’s kind of like Korean bibimbap meets a protein bowl. You’ll need a few ingredients to make the sauce and then a few more components to make the bowl. Here is everything you’ll need:
For the Ground Beef
- Canola or Vegetable Oil: Helps cook and crisp the ground beef.
- Ground Beef: I like to use 80/20 or 85/15 for maximum flavor but if you want to go more lean, 90/10 will work great too.
- Garlic: Use fresh, minced garlic cloves.
- Soy Sauce: Adds rich, umami flavor to the sauce.
- Orange Juice: Adds bright, citrus flavor and freshly squeezed orange juice is preferred.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and rich flavor.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds a little heat and bold flavor.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: Adds that signature Asian flavor.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce.
For the Bowl
- Cottage Cheese: I prefer the fat free small curd cottage cheese, but you can use any type of cottage cheese you want. I mentioned above that Good Culture brand is my favorite, especially for savory dishes.
- PRO TIP: If you can stand the texture of cottage cheese, give it a quick pulse in the blender to make it creamy.
- Edamame: I like to buy the shelled frozen edamame beans in the freezer section. You can warm them up really quickly in the microwave and then toss them with a little salt.
- Cucumber: You can use marinated cucumber slices using the recipe in our Asian cucumber salad or just plain cucumber slices work great as well.
- Pickled Red Onions: Adds acidity and flavor.
- Green Onion: Adds a pop of freshness and flavor.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: Used for garnish and adds a light nutty flavor.
The measurements and details for each ingredient can be found in the recipe at the end of the post.
How to Make a Korean Ground Beef and Cottage Cheese Bowl
This is an easy dinner recipe that can be on the table in less than 30 minutes! Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat then add the ground beef and garlic. Cook the meat until browned completely and then drain the grease.
- Make the Sauce: Whisk all the ingredients for the sauce together in a glass measuring cup. Pour the sauce over the ground beef and let it simmer until thickened.
- Assemble the Bowl: Add some ground beef, a scoop of cottage cheese, the edamame beans, cucumber and picked onions and then sprinkle green onions and sesame seeds over the top. Serve warm!
The complete recipe can be found by scrolling down to the recipe card below. You can also print or save the recipe there.
Swap It Your Way:
- Ground beef → Ground turkey, chicken, or even crumbled tofu
- Cottage cheese → Greek yogurt or whipped ricotta for a smoother texture
- Sweet chili sauce → Gochujang for more traditional Korean flavor
- Edamame → Steamed broccoli or snap peas
FAQ
Is the Ground Beef Hot or Cold?
I eat it warm and it’s strangely satisfying to have the warm beef with the cool creamy cottage cheese together in the same bite. You could definitely wait for the beef to cool and eat it cold as well.
Can I Use Ground Turkey or Chicken?
Yes, absolutely! Both are quite a bit more lean than ground beef, so you’ll lose some flavor, but they are a great option if you are trying to reduce fat and calories.
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
This is a great make-ahead recipe! You can make the pickled onions and marinated cucumbers ahead of time. Even the ground beef can be made ahead and then reheated when ready to serve. It makes a great meal prep recipe!
How Long Will This Keep?
Storing all the components separately is the best practice. The ground beef will store in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. The red onions and cucumbers will keep for up to a week. The meat can be reheated on the stove top or in the microwave. Then assemble everything together right before serving.
Have you tried our sweet potato cottage cheese bowl yet? It is our latest high protein obsession, and now this Korean inspired bowl is overtaking the top spot!
Looking for a protein-packed and flavorful meal? Try this easy and delicious Korean beef recipe made with cottage cheese for an extra protein boost. Perfect for meal prep and busy weeknights!
More High Protein Dinner Ideas:
Description
Craving something quick, healthy, and packed with flavor? This High-Protein Korean Beef with Cottage Cheese is your new go-to! Juicy, savory ground beef cooked in mouthwatering Korean-style pairs perfectly with creamy cottage cheese for a surprising twist.
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Heat the oil in a cast iron pan over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and garlic, using a meat chopper to break up, cook until browned all the way through, about 3-5 minutes, then drain grease.
1 Pound Ground Beef, 2 Cloves Garlic, 2 teaspoons Canola or Vegetable Oil
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Whisk together the remaining ingredients for the sauce in a glass measuring cup.
¼ Cup Soy Sauce, ¼ Cup Orange Juice, 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar, 2 Tablespoons Sweet Chili Sauce, 1 teaspoon Toasted Sesame Oil, 2 teaspoons Cornstarch
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Pour the sauce all over the beef and simmer until thickened slightly.
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Add 1/4 of the ground beef to a bowl with 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, 1/2 cup or edamame and 1/4 of the cucumber and red onions. Top with chopped green onion and sesame seeds for garnish.
2 Cups Cottage Cheese, 2 Cups Edamame, 1 Cucumber, Pickled Red Onions, 1 Green Onion, 1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds
Calories: 591kcal
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