This Thai Sweet Chilli Beef Bowl is a quick, flavor-packed meal that combines the best of Thai-style stir-fries and modern rice bowls. Tender beef mince is cooked with a caramelized sweet chilli sauce, served over fluffy jasmine rice, and finished with a refreshing drizzle sauce and crunchy toasted cashews. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it’s fast, balanced, and easily customizable with your favorite vegetables.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love how fast and flexible this recipe is. It takes only around 15 minutes to make, using simple pantry staples to create bold Thai-inspired flavors. The sweet chilli drizzle sauce ties everything together, adding a tangy-sweet finish that complements both the savory beef and fresh veggies. It’s family-friendly, meal-prep friendly, and endlessly adaptable to whatever ingredients you have on hand.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1/3 cup roasted cashews, unsalted (or peanuts)
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 (substitute green onion)
Sweet Chilli Stir Fry Sauce:
2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar (or cider vinegar)
1 tbsp oyster sauce (use vegetarian version if preferred)
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
Sweet Chilli Drizzle Sauce:
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
2 tbsp lime juice (or rice vinegar)
2 tsp fish sauce
To Serve:
2 batches jasmine rice or other plain rice of choice
Steamed or fresh vegetables such as chopped cucumber, finely sliced red onion, or blanched broccoli
Directions
Prepare the Sauces:
Mix the sweet chilli drizzle sauce ingredients in one bowl and the stir fry sauce ingredients in another. Set both aside.
Toast the Cashews:
Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the cashews and toast for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove and roughly chop once cooled.
Cook the Beef:
In the same pan, heat oil over high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant and slightly translucent. Add the minced beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until no pink remains.
Add the Stir Fry Sauce:
Pour in the stir fry sauce and cook, stirring continuously, for about 3–4 minutes until the liquid reduces and caramelizes on the beef. This step is key to developing rich flavor.
Assemble the Bowls:
Spoon rice into serving bowls. Add the caramelized beef, arrange vegetables of choice on the side, drizzle with the sweet chilli drizzle sauce, and top with chopped cashews and coriander.
Protein Swap: Try ground chicken or turkey for a lighter option.
Vegetarian: Use crumbled tofu or tempeh with vegetarian oyster sauce.
Spicy Boost: Add a fresh chopped red chilli or a dash of sriracha to the drizzle sauce.
Low-Carb Option: Serve with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of jasmine rice.
Nut-Free Version: Replace cashews with crispy fried shallots or sesame seeds for crunch.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. For meal prep, keep the drizzle sauce and vegetables separate until serving to maintain freshness. Cooked rice should be stored no longer than 3 days in the fridge.
FAQs
1. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, it’s great for meal prep. Store the components separately and assemble before eating.
2. What type of rice works best for this recipe?
Jasmine rice complements the Thai flavors perfectly, but any plain white or brown rice will do.
3. Is sweet chilli sauce spicy?
Not really. It’s mostly sweet with a mild chilli flavor, making it family-friendly.
4. Can I substitute fish sauce?
Yes, use light soy sauce if you prefer a non-fishy alternative.
5. How can I make it vegetarian?
Use crumbled tofu and vegetarian oyster sauce for the stir fry sauce.
6. What vegetables pair best with this bowl?
Cucumber, shredded cabbage, carrot, edamame, or blanched broccoli all work beautifully.
7. Can I use other meats besides beef?
Ground chicken or turkey are excellent substitutes; both absorb the sauce well.
8. Do I have to toast the cashews?
Toasting enhances the nutty flavor, but you can skip it if short on time.
9. How do I make it more kid-friendly?
Reduce or omit the fish sauce and drizzle extra sweet chilli sauce for a milder taste.
10. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! This dish scales up easily — just use a larger pan so the beef browns evenly.
Conclusion
Thai Sweet Chilli Beef Bowls are the perfect mix of simplicity and satisfaction. With minimal prep and big, bold flavor, this recipe transforms humble ingredients into a colorful, vibrant meal. Whether for a quick dinner or a make-ahead lunch, it’s a versatile dish that brings Thai-inspired comfort to your table in just minutes.
These Thai Sweet Chilli Beef Bowls feature savory-sweet caramelized beef mince served over jasmine rice, topped with a zesty drizzle sauce, crunchy cashews, and fresh vegetables. It’s a 15-minute, flavor-packed meal ideal for weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
1/3 cup roasted cashews, unsalted (or peanuts)
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 (or green onion)
Sweet Chilli Stir Fry Sauce:
2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar (or cider vinegar)
1 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian alternative)
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
Sweet Chilli Drizzle Sauce:
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
2 tbsp lime juice (or rice vinegar)
2 tsp fish sauce
To Serve:
2 batches jasmine rice or plain rice of choice
Steamed or fresh vegetables (e.g. cucumber, red onion, broccoli)
Instructions
In separate bowls, mix the sweet chilli drizzle sauce and the stir fry sauce. Set both aside.
Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Toast the cashews for about 2 minutes, stirring often until golden. Remove and roughly chop.
In the same pan, heat oil over high heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking for about 1 minute until softened and fragrant.
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and no pink remains.
Pour in the stir fry sauce. Stir continuously for 3–4 minutes until the sauce reduces and caramelizes on the beef.
To assemble, divide cooked rice between bowls. Top with the caramelized beef, your choice of vegetables, and a drizzle of the sweet chilli drizzle sauce. Sprinkle with toasted cashews and chopped coriander or green onion.
Notes
Toast the cashews for deeper flavor, or substitute with peanuts or sesame seeds.
Use tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
Add fresh chilli or sriracha for extra heat.
Store drizzle sauce separately for best freshness in meal prep.
Substitute fish sauce with soy sauce for a less intense flavor.
