Description
Thai Sweet Chilli Beef Bowls offer a vibrant and flavorful meal combining tender ground beef cooked in a sweet and savory sauce, toasted cashews, and fresh herbs, all served over jasmine rice with crisp vegetables. This quick and easy stir-fry recipe balances sweet chilli sauce, fish sauce, and tangy lime to create a caramelized, aromatic dish perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1/3 cup roasted cashews, unsalted (or peanuts)
- 2 batches jasmine rice (or other plain rice of choice)
Meat and Aromatics
- 500 g / 1 lb beef mince (ground beef)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced (divided: 2 cloves for cooking, 1 clove minced using garlic crusher for drizzle sauce)
- 3 tbsp roughly chopped coriander/cilantro leaves (substitute with green onion if preferred)
Sauces and Condiments
- 1 tbsp canola oil (or other plain cooking oil)
- 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce (for stir-fry sauce)
- 3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce (for drizzle sauce)
- 2 tbsp fish sauce (for stir-fry sauce)
- 2 tsp fish sauce (for drizzle sauce)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar (substitute cider vinegar)
- 2 tbsp lime juice (substitute rice vinegar when limes are expensive)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
Vegetables and Garnishes
- Steamed or fresh vegetables such as chopped cucumber, finely sliced red onion, and extra coriander/cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Drizzle Sauce: In a small bowl, combine 1 minced garlic clove, 3 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 2 teaspoons fish sauce. Mix well and set aside to let flavors meld.
- Prepare Stir Fry Sauce: In another bowl, mix 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce, 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, and 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce. Set aside for later use.
- Toast Cashews: Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the roasted unsalted cashews and toast for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Transfer to a cutting board and once cool, roughly chop the cashews. Set aside.
- Cook Aromatics: In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon canola oil over high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant and translucent.
- Cook the Beef: Add the ground beef mince to the pan. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, break it up and cook until all pink is gone and the meat is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Stir Fry Sauce: Pour the prepared stir fry sauce over the beef mixture. Stir continuously and cook over high heat until the sauce reduces and caramelizes on the beef, roughly 3 to 4 minutes. This step deepens the flavor—do not rush.
- Assemble the Bowls: Spoon cooked jasmine rice into bowls. Add a portion of the caramelized beef mixture on top. Arrange steamed or fresh veggies like chopped cucumber, finely sliced red onion, and extra coriander/cilantro on the side.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle the reserved sweet chilli lime sauce over the beef and vegetables. Sprinkle the toasted chopped cashews and additional fresh coriander on top. Mix everything slightly before eating for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Notes
- Note 1: You can substitute cashews with peanuts or other roasted nuts depending on preference or availability.
- Note 2: Adjust fish sauce quantity according to your salt preference as it is quite salty.
- Note 3: Oyster sauce and dark soy sauce add depth and umami; substitute with vegetarian alternatives if needed for dietary restrictions.
- Note 4: Lime juice can be substituted by rice vinegar and vice versa depending on availability and taste preference.
- Note 5: Fresh vegetables like cucumber and red onion add refreshing crunch; feel free to add steamed greens or other fresh herbs for variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Keywords: Thai beef recipe, sweet chilli sauce, ground beef stir fry, easy Thai dinner, caramelized beef, cashew beef bowl, quick weeknight meal
