This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.

These colorful Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls are full of Thai flavors and made so simply. The beef (or use chicken) is cooked in a sweet Thai basil chili sauce until caramelized around the edges, then added to bowls of lemongrass rice. A fresh, bright, carrot and pepper salad is spooned overtop. The bowl is then finished with flavorful Thai basil, sesame seeds, and peanuts for a balance of spicy, sweet, and savory flavor. Altogether, these bowls are so delicious, plus quick to make.

Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls | halfbakedharvest.com

I’m back at it with another summer bowl recipe, and this one is extra special. This is a recipe I made back in 2014, but I’ve continued to make it on repeat. At this point, it’s such a Gerard family staple, we all love it!

Anytime my brothers are home visiting I end up making this at least once. They love that it’s kind of like take-out, but healthier. And I always make it just spicy enough for their tastes, but with a kick of sweetness too.

Honestly, I mostly love this recipe because it’s so darn easy! If I have all the vegetables prepped, it takes 20 minutes from start to finish.

I make this year-round, but it’s on weekly rotation throughout the summer since we grow so much sweet Thai basil and peppers!

Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls | halfbakedharvest.com

Make the rice

The first thing I make is the rice since it actually takes the longest to cook. For this dish, I love to use lemongrass. Lemongrass is such a star ingredient that’s so underused. When cooked, it has a subtle citrusy, lemony flavor with a little mintiness in there too.

It’s a very light refreshing flavor and I love cooking it into the rice. The lemongrass really complements the basil.

I cook the rice in coconut milk for a creamy, coconut flavor along with lemongrass paste and Thai jasmine rice. Simply let the rice steam while you prepare the beef.

Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls | halfbakedharvest.com

Make the salad and beef

To add color and extra flavor, I made a quick salad with carrots, peppers, and lots of fresh green onions. I kept the dressing simple with a bit of fish sauce, lime, and honey. Then I tossed it all together and let the dressing soak into the veggies, almost like pickling them.

For the beef, I used ground beef, garlic, and ginger cooked together with lots of sweet Thai chili sauce and Thai basil. You can easily use whatever you enjoy here, chicken, pork or even tofu would be great.

If you’re having trouble finding Thai basil, traditional Italian basil works in a pinch!

Since most store-bought sweet Thai chili sauce is full of sugar, I like to make my own chili sauce. I use a mix of honey, chili paste, a touch of ketchup, and then some garlic, ginger, and lime!! It’s really easy to mix up if you’re looking for a healthier sauce option.

Then just put everything together. Load the bowls with rice, beef, lots of salad, roasted peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, and plenty of garden-fresh Thai basil.

These bowls come together so quickly and have so much flavor, which you know we love! And I really appreciate all the color – best kind of recipe!

Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for other quick weeknight dinners? Here are some favorites:

Chili Crisp Chicken Mango Cucumber Rice Bowl

30 Minute Caramelized Shallot Beef Ramen Noodles

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper

Coconut Popcorn Chicken with Sweet Thai Chili Lime Sauce

30 Minute Sticky Thai Meatballs with Sesame Noodles

Better Than Takeout Sweet Thai Basil Chicken

Spicy Chipotle Honey Salmon Bowls

Lastly, if you make these Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

@halfbakedharvest

20 minute Thai basil beef #thaibasil #lemongrass #rice #bowl #ricebowl #fresh #beef #carrots #sweetandspicy #summerrecipe

♬ Forever – Labrinth

20 Minute Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls.

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 494 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

SavePrintEmail

Watch the How-To Reel

Ingredients

Salad

Beef

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • 1. To make the salad. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Toss well and set aside.
    2. To make the beef. In a large skillet, cook the beef with black pepper over medium heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook another minute. Add the tamari, sweet Thai chili sauce, and 1 cup of fresh basil. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce coats the beef, 3-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining basil.
    3. Divide the rice and beef between bowls. Add the salad to the bowl. Top with peanuts, sesame seeds, and fresh basil. Enjoy!

Lemongrass Rice

  • 1. Add 1 can coconut milk and 1/3 water to a medium-sized pot. Bring to a low boil. Add in 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice and 1 tablespoon lemongrass paste. Stir to combine. Place the lid on the pot and turn the heat down to the lowest setting possible. Allow the rice to cook ten minutes on low and then turn the heat off completely. Let the rice sit on the stove, covered, for another 15-20 minutes (don't take any peeks inside!).
    2. After 15-20 minutes remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Note that rice can cook differently for everyone, this is just what works for me.

Notes

Homemade Sweet Thai Chili Sauce: Mix 1/3 cup honey, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1-2 tablespoons chili sauce, 2 teaspoons lime zest, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons tamari or soy sauce, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, and 1 clove grated garlic in a glass jar. Shake or stir well. Use as directed. 
View Recipe Comments
Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls | halfbakedharvest.com

(had to leave one of these original photos, for memories!!)

20 Minute Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

See, even my picky littlest brother, Red, was all over this one. Now that is rare.

This post was originally published on July 21, 2022
4.59 from 421 votes (257 ratings without comment)

Add a Comment

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  2. What kind of sweet thai chili sauce do you use? There are hundreds out there but I find substituting never makes it quite the same as original recipe.

    Reply

    1. I actually make my own (recipe soon!), but I have bought Thai Kitchen brand and Mae Ploy Brand before and liked them. Here is the link to both on Amazon.

      Let me know if you have any more questions. Hope you love this!!

      Reply

  10. Cant wait to make this!! I’m always looking for Asian inspired dishes that dont have a lot of crazy ingredients. I’ve never though about using ground beef in this way.

    Reply

  11. I’m with you, I like beef, but only crave it every once in a while. I definitely have to be in the mood for it. Although, honestly, I’d probably always be in the mood for this, it looks THAT good. So light, which I never, ever say about beef.

    Reply

  13. It’s still piping hot here in TN! But I would still love to have a bowl of this Thai basil beef is one of my favorites.

    Reply

    1. No carrots in the recipes list but in the instructions it says ” Add the carrots + pepper on top of the beef.”

      Reply

  15. Great recipe – exactly the kind of dish my kids (and husband and me) adore! I have to admit I love ground beef. It’s not as glamorous as sliced steak but soaks up spices and sauces so much better!

    Reply