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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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
20 Minute Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls.
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.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce or tamari
- 2 teaspoons honey
Beef
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or chicken or pork)
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- black pepper
- 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 1/3 cup sweet Thai chili sauce (homemade in notes)
- 2 cups Thai or sweet Italian basil, chopped
- sesame seeds and peanuts, for serving
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.
(had to leave one of these original photos, for memories!!)
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
Is there any way I can use something other than coconut milk? I’m allergic, with a lactose intolerance as well so standard dairy replacements don’t work for me either.
Hey Sue!! Can you use almond milk, coconut milk or goat milk? either will be fine! Hope you love this and let me know if you have other questions. Thanks!
Loved this recipe but I found it to be a little too salty – and I have a high tolerance for saltiness. I would make this again but would probably cut down on the soy sauce.
Thanks so much for this tip Annie! I will follow your advice and cut down on the soy sauce when I try this recipe out. 🙂
So sorry it was to much salt this time, hope you like it more next time!
I have literally never left a comment on any recipe I’ve ever tried before but I was linked here from buzzfeed. I made it for dinner tonight and it was absolutely delicious!! I can’t wait to explore the rest of your website!
Yay! I am so glad you loved this Kate! I hope you continue to enjoy other recipes! Thank you!!
Greetings and happy new year! Shared this recipe on my FB page. This is a great recipe and will make this week! Thanks for another appetizing feast!
Love from Seattle!
Thank you Jan!
Loved this! I’ve made it twice. I included the link on my most recent Weekly Meal Plan: http://thecheerfulkitchen.com/archives/857#.V-WPzLUWGRs I hope my readers love it as much as I do!
So happy you included one of my recipes!! Thanks so much Vanessa, this is awesome!
I did not make the rice. The beef and veggie topping were wonderful. I served them in lettuce cups. Wonderful flavors! I’ll make this again. thanks for sharing your recipe.
So happy you liked it!! Next time try the rice!! (:
I read a post that said using regular basil in place of Thai basil would completely change the taste of this recipe. The standard basil is all I can get. Do I need to change the amount used?
Looking forward to trying this!
Hey Tamara! Use equal amounts of regular basil, it will be great! Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this!
Tried this and looooved it!
Awesome!!(: Thank you!
Made this last night for dinner and everyone loved it! Including the kiddos – we put everything out buffet style so they could make their own bowls. Quick, fresh and very flavorful.
Can anyone tell me how many calories would be in one serving of this dish. I’ve just made it – it’s delicious, thanks so much for the recipe. Problem is…it tastes so good I’m wondering how it fits into my diet!
I LOVE Thai food, but having just moved to Ecuador, I struggle to find the correct ingredients. Fish sauce is no where to be found so I pureed sardines, (anchovies can not be found either) with salt and soy sauce. It will do in a pinch and I have made the recipe several times. But what do I do about the sweet thai chilli sauce? Lemon grass and basil are both in my garden.
Lol at “5 minute prep time”. There is no possible way to make this recipe in 20 minutes.
I made the mistake of believing this was a quick dish too – maybe if I had a sous chef! It was very delicious, but took me a long time to peel, chop, grate, etc. and prepare the ingredients. My common sense was not paying attention when I decided to make this on a weeknight for the family and expected it to be quick.
I’m so excited to make this recipe! I am a little confused about one step – “Add the carrots, peppers, hot red pepper, green onions fish sauce, honey, lime juice and 2 tablespoons soy sauce to a medium bowl. Toss well and set aside.” Do you add this mixture at the end or does it get mixed with the beef? Is it just to marinate the veggies?
Hi Kelly! You are just marinating the veggies and then you add these veggies to the top of the dish when you are ready to serve. They never get cooked or anything, they are just for serving. Make sense??
Hope you love this recipe!!
Thanks for responding so quickly! I made the recipe last night (with some improvising on ingredients like sliced beef instead of ground) and it was delicious! I often use recipes from blogs and the dish never turns out right. Your recipe came out perfect! I look forward to trying some of your others!
T, this was amazing!! The flavors come together so well. I had some ingredients I needed to use up and I am so glad this is the dish I used them on. DELICIOUS!
I am SO making this for dinner tonight!!!
Thanks! Hope you love it!