This quick dinner using beef mince channels Thai chilli basil stir fry vibes (except, no basil!) with poke bowl versatility (except, no pricey raw fish!). The sweet chilli drizzle sauce ties it all together, and gives you the flex to use any raw or cooked veg side. Jumble it all up and dig in!
About these Thai Sweet Chilli Beef Bowls
I wish I could tell you today’s recipe is an authentic Thai homecooked meal, lovingly prepared every day by thousands of families across Thailand…..
But it’s not (at least, not to my knowledge). It’s just something I made up, quick to make, versatile and a great all-rounder that will please picky young eaters as well as those who consider themselves connoisseurs of South East Asian food. Because although it is not authentic, it’s made with staple Thai stir fry ingredients (oyster sauce, fish sauce, garlic, sugar) so the flavour is pretty* legit.
It’s really tasty. I hope you love it!
* I say “pretty” legit because I’ve dialled up the speed factor by using sweet chilli sauce instead of fresh chilli + garlic + sugar + thickener. It totally works!
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this. NOTE: There’s a fair few repeat ingredients!
The sauces
We’re making two sauces today – one for cooking and one for drizzling. Common ingredients, but they taste different because cooking the sauce changes the flavour – it intensifies and caramelises. On the other hand, the drizzle sauce is fresher.
Sweet chilli sauce – Just your regular everyday sweet chilli sauce from regular grocery stores. I use Trident which is a common brand here in Australia. There is no need to hunt down a legit Asian brand (unless you want to!). Despite the word “chilli” in the name, it’s not spicy, it’s just sweet, though there is subtle chilli flavour in it.
Fish sauce – Stinky in the bottle but wonderful when cooked, can’t taste fishiness at all! You just end up with tasty savoury saltiness – more interesting than salt, soy etc. We also use it in the drizzle sauce but not very much. If raw fish sauce scares you, a) I assume you don’t like Vietnamese food (because it’s abundantly used in raw form in Vietnamese sauces!) b) just use soy instead.
Dark soy sauce – This stains the beef a lovely rich colour and adds tasty soy flavour in a way you don’t get with regular or light soy sauce. But, if you don’t have dark soy sauce, you can use either of these (though the beef won’t be as dark). There will be a touch less flavour too but don’t be concerned, the drizzle sauce will make up for it.
Rice vinegar – To balance out the sweet and savoury in the stir fry sauce. Substitute with cider vinegar.
Lime juice – I chose to use this for the drizzle sauce rather than vinegar because it’s fresher. But if you don’t have lime or it’s extortionate (which it can be at times here in Australia) and you want to save it for your G&T (I get it), substitute with rice vinegar. It’s not a big deal, I promise. 🙂
Garlic – For the drizzle sauce. (We sauté garlic for the beef).
PS With a fair few common ingredients, I thought I could make one double-duty sauce. I did try, and it was ok, but it was better making two separate ones with different ratios of each ingredient. So sorry, you need two separate bowls!
For the beef stir fry
All you need for the stir fry part is beef, garlic and onion. The cashews and coriander/cilantro are for sprinkling – and there’s plenty of alternatives.
Beef mince – Use any fat % you want. The fattier it is, the stronger the beef flavour and the juicier the stir fry.
Other proteins – I haven’t tried but I’m confident this would be very tasty with chicken, turkey and pork. Not convinced lamb works – but I could easily be swayed.
Garlic and onion – I challenge you to find a stir fry on my website that doesn’t include these!
Cashews – A good sprinkle of chopped toasted cashews is such a tasty finishing touch! Elevates this from “yum” to “I need seconds!”. Peanuts would work as well, or almonds. For a no nut option, I’d probably opt for crispy fried shallots (buy them).
Coriander/cilantro – Lovely fresh touch. I use a fair amount because I love the flavour of coriander, it is a Thai food essential! Substitute with green onion.
Rice and vegetable/salad sides
There’s no raw fish in sight, but aside from this it’s a similar concept to a poke bowl. It’s served over rice, it’s got a sauce, and it works with raw or cooked vegetables. The sweet chilli drizzle sauce essentially acts as a salad dressing which means you can literally use any vegetable you want.
It’s pictured throughout this post with cucumbers and red onion tossed with coriander (keeping with the Thai vibes!), but think – blanched broccoli florets, shredded carrot or cabbage, sliced radish, blanched asparagus, finely sliced kale, cherry tomatoes, edamame or peas.
As for the rice – I’ve used jasmine (on-theme for the Thai flavours) though any plain rice or noodles will work. Faux rice, likecauliflower rice, quinoa (cook directions here) or those new fangled low-cal-faux rice options sold at grocery stores these days, can also be used.
How to make it
Don’t skip toasting the cashews. It really goes a long way to enhance the nut flavour!
Drizzle sauce – Mix the ingredients in a small bowl.
Stir fry sauce – And mix these ingredients in a separate bowl.
Toast cashews – Toss the cashews in a dry pan for a few minutes until you can smell them and there’s little golden spots on the cashews.
Chop – Let them cool then roughly chop them so you have some larger pieces and some “dust”.
Sauté the onion and garlic for a minute until the onion is almost translucent. (We’re on high heat now, speed is our friend). The onion will cook through more with the beef.
Beef – Add the beef and cook it, breaking it up as you go, until you can no longer see red. Then add the sauce and keep cooking until the sauce mostly reduces, the beef is sizzling and it gets nice colour on it. Don’t skimp on this step as the caramelisation of the sauce on the beef is where the flavour is! It will take about 2 – 3 minutes on a strong stove, or 3 – 4 minutes on a weaker stove.
Juicy and tasty! Here’s what it looks like. The beef is a lovely rich brown colour but it’s still “juicy” thanks to the sweet chilli sauce.
Assemble bowls – Spoon the beef over steaming rice. Pile vegetables of choice on the side (raw or cooked, more on this above), douse with the Drizzle sauce, sprinkle with coriander and cashews. Then it’s dinner time!
Eating etiquette
And finally, a very important matter – the eating etiquette. When it’s first placed in front of you, take a moment to admire it. So pretty and colourful!
Then dive in and mix it all up. Mix with vigour! If you are not flicking cashew bits and rice on the table, are you really living? Embrace the chaos, because the better it’s jumbled, the more enjoyable every single bite will be.
Bring on the delicious mess!! – Nagi x
Thai sweet chilli beef bowls FAQ
Not too much actually! Made it once, found it a bit bland and not enough flavour once jumbled through the rice. So I added the drizzle sauce and that worked a treat. It’s a pretty straightforward recipe compared to some!
This was one of the fastest recipes I’ve created in 2024! As noted above, I made it once, thought it was tasty and I was happy with it. I really liked the versatility ie how you can add any vegetables, raw or fresh, to complete the meal.
So then I made it again to photograph it, and again to film it. So a grand total of 3 times. That’s the minimum for any recipe I share on my website. It’s also a very low risk recipe so I didn’t feel the need to keep making it to improve or solve “problem areas”.
Yes you can! There is enough sauce add a carrot and zucchini, grated and cooked up with the beef.
I haven’t tried but confident it’s great with chicken, turkey and pork. Not sure about lamb, it’s not a very common protein used in Thai cuisine. I could be wrong – drop a note if you try this with lamb!
The recipe will definitely work but I’m not exactly sure about the quantity. The thing is, sliced meats have a lot less surface area than a gazillion little bits of crumbled mince meat so usually, you need less sauce. But sometimes, you need more, to get a nice glaze on the surface!
I fully intend to do a sliced chicken version of this recipe early in 2025, so be patient! 🙂
You sure can! But I’m not exactly sure how much tofu is the right amount for the sauce. You could wing it – just add the sauce bit by bit, and be prepared to mix up more if needed. Remember the drizzle sauce adds extra flavour too.
PS Use firm tofu as it will crumble up like mince. When done right, it’s very tasty! Proof here.
I would not hesitate to serve this over noodles, wrapped in rice paper (rice paper rolls), stuffed into lettuce wraps, roti (think – Asian burritos!) and even in soft white rolls or steamed Asian buns (bao buns!).
I’d even make banh-mi type rolls – stuff the beef into crusty white rolls with shredded or finely sliced vegetables, Asian pickles, and use the drizzle sauce as the Banh Mi sauce. YES! (Suggest using the Chicken Banh Mi for inspiration).
Watch how to make it
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Thai Sweet Chilli Beef Bowls
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup roasted cashews , unsalted (or peanuts, Note 1)
- 1 tbsp canola oil , or other plain cooking oil
- 500 g / 1 lb beef mince (ground beef)
- 1 small onion , finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves , finely minced
- 3 tbsp roughly chopped coriander/cilantro leaves (sub green onion)
Sweet chilli stir fry sauce:
- 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce (I use Trident)
- 2 tbsp fish sauce (Note 2)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar (sub cider vinegar)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (Note 3)
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce (Note 3)
Sweet chilli drizzle sauce:
- 1 garlic clove , minced using garlic crusher
- 3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice (sub rice vinegar when limes are crazy expensive)
- 2 tsp fish sauce (Note 2)
Serving:
- 2 batches jasmine rice or other plain rice of choice
- Steamed or fresh veg (Note 5) (pictured: chopped cucumber, coriander/cilantro, red onion finely sliced)
Instructions
Abbreviated recipe
- Mix each sauce. Toast cashews, sauté onion + garlic 1 min, then cook beef. Add sauce, cook until reduced/caramelised, serve over rice with veg on side. Spoon over drizzle sauce, top with cashews and coriander.
Full recipe:
- Drizzle sauce – Mix the ingredients in a bowl, set aside.
- Stir fry sauce – Mix the ingredients in a separate bowl, set aside.
- Toast cashews – Heat a large non-stick pan over medium high heat. Add the cashews and toast for 2 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board then roughly chop once cool.
- Cook beef – Heat the oil in the same pan over high heat. Add the garlic and onion, cook for 1 minute. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until you no longer see raw meat.
- Sauce it! Add the cooking sauce and cook well, stirring, until it mostly reduces down so the sauce caramelises on the beef, about 3 – 4 minutes. (Don't shortcut this step, it's where the flavour is!)
- Serve the beef over rice with a side of veg. Douse everything with the sauce, top with cashews and coriander (fresh chilli wouldn't go astray either). To eat, jumble everything up then dig in!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
More Asian food made using beef mince
It doesn’t have to be Spag Bol every single night!
Life of Dozer
I should retitle this section “greed of Dozer” because I had to take him into the emergency vet hospital last night after I caught him chowing down fertiliser (which can be toxic to dogs). 🙄 Thankfully, it wasn’t chemical fertiliser (which can be really toxic), “just” chicken poop.
As punishment for his greed, he is reverting to a bland boiled-veg-chicken diet for the next little while, as a precaution. And I’ve publicly shamed him in this home video:
And further shaming in the family WhatsApp thread:
Will report back in a few days but no alarming signs at this stage. Thank you again SASH (Dr Erin!), for treating him!
It’s good, but has more salt, sugar and fat than I’m supposed to eat… It’s a nice change from the usual asian sauce. Hah, Dozer doesn’t discrimate between beef wellington and doo! He should bury doo, not eat it 🐈 (meooow).
What a flavour bomb!
Delish – immediate family favourite!
In a word, scrumptious. I am not a lover of cooked vegetables so to be able to include them in a meal is a huge bonus. The drizzle sauce is a game changer with raw vegetables. Definitely will be a regular in my favourite menus. All the best to you and Dozer. Hugs to both.
This is fantastic- exactly the thing I wish I’d cooked during covid lockdowns – had most of the ingredients, fast, cheerful, delicious. Currently at home looking after kids who are missing out on family gatherings, Christmas parties carols, etc, all due to Covid Mk.III. I had cooked rice in the freezer, picked carrots in the fridge, half a cucumber, and in the complete absence of cashews: a random packet of hazelnuts (which actually worked). Kids rose from their picked and loved it! Thank you, Nagi, this meal was a tasty ray of sunshine in our day.
Pickled and sickbed, not picked!
(A.I. hasn’t totally replaced us yet…)
Fabulous will be a regular in my cooking repertoire,,
Great to hear Lorraine! Thanks for taking the time to come back and let me know – N x
Nagi:
I just bought both of your cookbooks and they are the most beautiful books in my kitchen. I’ve paged through them and can’t wait to start cooking. My favorite photos are of Dozer ignoring you offering him some kale–which are laugh out loud funny. Oh, what is he really thinking with that look on his face?
I love your website and always scroll down to see what Dozer has been up to before I read the recipe. (Sorry, priorities come first.). I now love your cookbooks and I really love that you take care of those in need in your community. What a generous person you are. I wish you an abundance of continued success. Thank you for all that you do for all of us.
Eleanor King
I love that Dozer trumps the recipe! 😂 Thank you for the lovely feedback Eleanor, it’s so nice to hear. N x
Any changes I would need to make if I used chicken or pork?
Works a treat with kangaroo!
Hi Sandra! Nope, just cook per the recipe 🙂 – N x
Delish! Kept my toddler and husband very happy. I was able to prep the sauces and veg throughout the day while kids were napping and it all came together so quickly. Thanks for always including substitutes too so I don’t have to go to the shops. God bless you and dozer
I love hearing that Kelly! So glad you found it a breeze to make! N x
So glad to hear that Dozer is doing ok after his experiment with fertiliser, please stay well Dozer and look after your mum she is so good to you and she loves you so much
He must’ve thought all his Christmases had come at once – “open buffet! Unlimited food! Help yourself Dozer!” 🤯
I have a beef allergy but gosh this sounds good. Has anyone tried it with chicken or pork?
Not that I’ve read yet but I’m confident it will be delicious, and in fact, I am planning to do a chicken version of this in the new year 🙂 N x
Absolutely loved this recipe and so easy to prep in the morning, ready to cook up for dinner time. Thanks Nagi & we all hope Dozer is doing well
Love hearing that Lisa! Thanks for taking the time to let me know – N x
Got the email yesterday and had to have it. Was only missing 3 ingredients so got them. Made it exactly as is and served with Jasmine Rice, cucumber,/coriander/red onion, toasted cashews & peanuts and fried shallots. Doubled it so I wouldn’t have to cook tonight as today’s temp is 39C. Unfortunately 3 of us scoffed nearly the whole lot as it was so delicious. There is going to be a fight for the leftovers tonight! Thanks Nagi for a great recipe and love and hugs to the naughty but so adorable Dozer.
I love how you now include abbreviated instructions for those of us who don’t need the full instructions. This is great.
Love your work.
Dozer went into the garden
And ate some “poop”,
Got a trip to the Vet –
And Veggies Chicken to boot..
So says Doser,
“Hum let me see,
Eating poop from the garden got me veggies, too.
But for a little more taste a sprinkle of Brie would do.
LOL!
Wow, I would be happy to line up for dinner alongside Dozer! Honey glazed veg and poached chicken sounds like my idea of heaven (especially if I don’t have to cook it myself)
Oh dozer I do hope you get feeling better! Best to stick with your mama’s good cooking!
Quite the palate Dozer has it seems. Sorry your comments above made me laugh but that is what they do. We love them no matter what they ingest. I hope he & you are doing well.
Dar from Canada
Take care of that sweet Dozer boy. We all love him.
I would love to see some recipes using Chili-Crisp. I’m going to make this Beef Bowl and use it as a condiment.
United States: good morning from sunny Aurora CO. Can hardly wait to try these sweet chili beef bowls. On another note: chicken poo is just another form of roast chicken!! …Not!! Bad Boy Dozer 🙁