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Crockpot Thai Basil Beef Sesame Rice Bowls.
You’re going to love these easy, colorful bowls! The most delicious spicy-salty-sweet Thai flavors and made almost entirely in the crockpot. The beef (or chicken, if you prefer) slow cooks all day in a sweet Thai basil chili sauce. It’s then served over bowls of fluffy coconut sesame rice. Finish each bowl with fresh basil, a sprinkle of peanuts, and plenty of veggies for that perfect balance of flavor and texture.
Yep, we’re only a few days into September and I’m already reaching for my crockpot. Honestly, I’ve been using it nonstop over the past month. I’ve been testing new recipes, both for fall and for some exciting projects to come. But I have to say, these rice bowls might just be one of my favorites.
They’re inspired by a Thai basil beef recipe I shared years ago, but this version is made even easier thanks to the crockpot. Just drop everything in, let it cook all day, and come home to dinner ready and waiting. I love topping the coconut rice with the saucy beef and adding in seasonal veggies like bell peppers, broccoli, or even your summer zucchini. It’s a simple and satisfying weeknight dinner that everyone always loves!
Here are the details
Ingredients
- ground beef
- black pepper
- garlic
- ground ginger
- Chinese 5-spice
- tamari/soy sauce
- Thai chili sauce
- red bell peppers
- broccoli
- fresh cilantro
- fresh sweet basil (or Thai basil if you have it)
- white rice – or use your favorite variety
- toasted sesame seeds
- peanuts
Special Tools
This recipe calls for a crockpot. If you don’t have a crockpot, make this recipe here! Other than that, nothing fancy here!
Steps
Step 1: Set it and go
Set your crockpot to high. Add the beef, garlic, ginger, Chinese five spice, tamari, Thai chili sauce, and a pinch of black pepper. Toss in the red pepper as well.
Give everything a quick stir to break up the meat and coat it in the sauce. Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours or on high for 2–3 hours.
Note: My crockpot can actually cook the raw beef through in about 2 hours on high, so keep in mind that cook times can vary depending on your machine. Adjust as needed.
Also, I like my red peppers to be really cooked down. If you prefer them to stay a little more crisp, wait and add them in with the broccoli in Step 2.
Step 2: Stir in the greens and herbs
Once the beef is fully cooked (or when you’re ready to serve), stir in the broccoli, cilantro, and basil. I usually add another pinch of pepper here too. Salt if you feel it needs it, though I find the sauce salty enough as is.
Cover and cook just until the broccoli is tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
Step 3: Build your bowls
Start with a base of coconut rice and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Spoon the saucy beef over the top, then finish each bowl with roasted peanuts and plenty of fresh basil (Thai basil if you can find it).
These bowls come together so quickly, they’re full of flavor, and the color is just so pretty. Truly the best kind of recipe!
Something special to note
Since most store-bought sweet Thai chili sauces are packed with sugar, I like to make my own. My version is a quick mix of honey, chili paste, a little ketchup, plus garlic, ginger, and lime. It’s super simple, and such a fun, healthier swap if you want to try it (recipe included in the Notes section of the 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 this Crockpot Thai Basil Beef, 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!
Crockpot Thai Basil Beef
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 574 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef or chicken or pork
- black pepper
- 6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon Chinese 5 Spice
- 1/2 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 1/2 cup Thai chili sauce (homemade in notes)
- 2 red bell peppers, sliced
- 2 cups chopped broccoli
- 1 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup Thai basil, chopped
- 3-4 cups steamed rice
- 1/3 cup chopped roasted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- 1. Set your crockpot to high. Drop in the raw meat and break it up with a fork. Add the garlic, ginger, Chinese 5 spice, tamari/soy sauce, Thai chili sauce, and season with pepper. Stir, breaking up the meat. Add the red peppers. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.2. During the last 20 minutes of cooking, crank the heat to high. Stir in the broccoli, cilantro, and basil. Let cook on high until the the sauce thickens slightly and the broccoli is steamed. 3. Divide the rice among bowls and top with sesame seeds. Spoon the beef and sauce over the rice. Add peanuts and additional basil.
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.
Coconut Rice: Combine 1 (14 ounce) can of coconut milk, 3/4 cup bone broth or water, and 2 tablespoons ghee or butter in a medium pot. Bring to a low boil. Add 2 cups of jasmine rice and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine, cover, then turn the heat down to the lowest setting possible. Allow the rice to cook for 10 minutes on low, then turn the heat off completely. Let the rice sit, covered, for another 15-20 minutes (don’t take any peeks inside!). Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
This post was originally published on September 3, 2025
After reading the comments and knowing how much liquid I normally cook jasmine rice in, I increased the broth to 1.5 cups and that cooked the rice first try. The men in my family loved the complex flavors in the meat sauce. Thanks for an easy and delicious dish!
Hey Gigi,
Wonderful! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, love to hear it turned out well! Happy Friday!
My coconut rice turned out a little dry and I followed the directions perfectly but still enjoyed the recipe. Great flavors and easy to assemble. I agree that it might be just as easy to cook on the stove but it was nice to have my house smell this good and I like how long the flavors had to really cook together with the beef!
Hey Kate,
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback after trying this recipe, I’m happy to hear it was a win. So sorry to hear about the rice. Have a wonderful day!
I can’t seem to get the rice to work out. It is not cooked enough when I follow the recipe time (10 minutes) so I added another 9 minutes to the cook time. It sill comes out undercooked.
Lavinia
Hi Lavinia,
So sorry to hear this! Are you allowing the rice to sit for an additional 15-20 minutes without removing the lid? Let me know!
Normally love love love every recipe. But this one was a miss for us.
Hi Sadie,
So very sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed. If there is anything that I can help with, please let me know!
Hi, can I use this thinly sliced steak instead?
Hey Carolyn,
Sure, that would probably work nicely here! Let me know if you give this dish a try, I hope you love it!
So incredibly delicious. I was so excited to try it I forgot the peanuts and sesame seeds… guess I’ll have to make it again!
Hi Aimee,
Yay!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad it was enjoyed! Have the best fall weekend!
This was delicious and so easy. I added a splash of fish sauce and a couple spoonfuls of chili crisp for an extra kick. Perfect.
Hey Karuna,
Happy Friday!! I appreciate you giving this recipe a try, I’m so glad it was a winner!
Flavor awesome, but meat was mushy. I would just cook on stove top next time to avoid over cook I think!
Sorry to hear this, Sara! Thanks for trying the recipe and sharing your feedback. Have a great Friday!
Since ground beef cooks so fast, I found this compromised the flavors without being a significantly easier than a stove top version. I also don’t love ground beef in general and didn’t think it carried the flavors well.
Hi Halle,
Thanks for giving this dish a try and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear it was not enjoyed!
This was delicious and so easy! I followed your directions to make the thai chili sauce and after putting that in the crock pot I realized most of the honey was stuck to the bottom of the mixing bowl – my mistake. So I did have to drizzle some honey on top to compensate. But, we loved the final outcome. So nummy.
Hey Kelley,
Happy Monday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, I’m so glad it was a winner!