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Save time by making this nutritious and satiating Korean dish in the rice cooker!
This rice cooker bibimbap is the only dish you'll have to make lunch or dinner because it's a fully balanced meal, rich in flavor and packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals.
Bibimbap is a Korean mixed rice bowl that typically includes protein and a variety of vegetables, often served in a hot stone pot called a dolsot. The dish is brought together with a spicy, tangy sauce made from chili paste, vinegar, and other seasonings. It is one of my favorite dishes to make or order at restaurants because it provides a balanced combination of macronutrients - protein, carbohydrates, and fats - while also featuring a colorful assortment of vegetables. Traditionally, each component of the dish is cooked separately, which can be time-consuming. To simplify the process and reduce the number of dishes I have to wash, I often add the ingredients directly into a rice cooker and let them cook together. The result is still a delicious bibimbap and the perfect “dump-and-go” meal for days when you don’t want to spend too much time cooking.
Bibimbap is one of the most common dishes served at Korean restaurants and was one of the first Korean dishes I ate when I was introduced to Korean cuisine as a child. Each restaurant uses its own selection of vegetables, though carrots, bean sprouts, and mushrooms are almost always included. I like how customizable the dish is because it can easily serve an entire group of people and also works well as a “fridge cleanout” recipe. Have some broccoli, squash, and bell peppers left in the fridge? No worries - just throw them in the rice cooker!
Not all rice cookers are created equally
One key thing to note about this recipe is that not all rice cookers are created equally. Some cookers are better at circulating heat evenly than others. How a rice cooker times when the rice is done cooking simply depends on its sensor technology. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that if certain ingredients appear undercooked when the rice cycle is up, you can simply use your judgment and add additional time if needed. The rice cooker I used for this is not fancy or expensive by any means.
Marinated beef and nutritious vegetables are cooked together with rice entirely in a rice cooker. The dish is then tied together with a savory, tangy chili paste sauce.
In a blender, add soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, apple, garlic, ginger, and onion. Blend until a smooth sauce forms.
After the rice cooker is done, check the ingredients (primarily the rice and beef) and check if they are cooked completely. If the rice looks underdone and the beef still looks raw, cook for another 'white rice' cycle.
To make the sauce, whisk all of the sauce ingredients together.
Once the bibimbap is cooked, serve it with the sauce and enjoy!
Servings 4
Serving Size 1
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Nutrition Facts excludes the sauce.
Cooking times can differ, depending on the brand of rice cooker you use.
For vegan, use tofu or any meat alternative.
This dish can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.