(Build-Your-Own Rice Bowls with a Kick!)
Looking for a crowd-pleasing meal that’s fresh, flavorful, and fun to customize? These Korean Haystacks are a family favorite around here—and for good reason. They combine sweet, spicy, tangy beef (or sausage) with coconut-infused rice and a rainbow of toppings. Everyone builds their own bowl just how they like it—so even the picky eaters are happy!
Bonus: It’s naturally gluten-free and can be easily adjusted for dairy-free, Whole30, or paleo lifestyles. Not eating rice? Try using cauliflower rice or mashed (or riced) Yucca Root instead!
🍚 Coconut Rice (Base Layer)
Start with this fragrant coconut-lime rice for the perfect foundation.
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2 C. Dry Rice (steamed)
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2 T. Coconut Oil
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2 T. Coconut Milk
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2 t. Lime Juice
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Pinch of Sea Salt
Instructions:
Steam rice according to package directions. Once cooked, fluff and gently stir in coconut oil, coconut milk, lime juice, and sea salt. Set aside and keep warm.
🥩 Savory Korean-Inspired Beef
This sweet-and-savory blend is bursting with flavor.
Ingredients:
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1 lb. Ground Beef or Pork Sausage
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1 Onion, chopped
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1 head Garlic, finely chopped
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1 T. Fresh Grated Ginger
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1-2 t. Sesame Seeds
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Sea Salt, to taste
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½ C. Green Onion
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¼ C. Cilantro
Instructions:
Brown meat in a little coconut oil. Once cooked through, stir in onion, chopped garlic, and sesame seeds. Sauté for 2-3 minutes more, until fragrant. Mix in green onion, ginger, and cilantro, then stir in the sauce (see below).
🥢 Sweet Heat Sauce
Ingredients:
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2 T. Water
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4 T. Honey
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6 T. Coconut Aminos
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1½ T. Rice Vinegar (or raw applice cider vinegar)
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1 T. Sambal Oelek (or preferred chili paste)
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2 t. Sesame Oil
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½ t. Ground Ginger
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1 t. Garlic Powder
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¼ t. Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions:
Whisk ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 3–4 minutes. Set aside, then stir into the cooked meat.
🥑 Toppings Bar (Get Creative!)
Set any of these out buffet-style and let everyone build their own masterpiece:
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Fresh Cilantro
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Fresh Basil
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Sliced Radish
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Chopped Cucumber
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Diced Pineapple
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Chopped Tomatoes
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Sliced Avocado
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Sesame, Flax, or Hemp Seeds
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Green Onion (or Pickled Red Onion)
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Sriracha
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Sriracha Mayo (just mix a little Sriracha with my cilantro mayo)
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Extra Coconut Aminos
- Pickled Ginger
✨ Assembly Time
Scoop a generous spoonful of coconut rice into your bowl, add the warm beef mixture, then load up with your favorite toppings. Drizzle with Sriracha Mayo, plain Sriracha, or a squeeze of lime, and dig in!
Pro Tip: This meal is perfect for family nights, potlucks, or even meal-prepping lunches for the week. You can even double-duty the ingredients after having Poke’ bowls the next night! The components store well separately and reheat beautifully.
Let me know in the comments—what toppings would you add to your Korean Haystack?
