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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.
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.
Shouldn’t you cook the ground beef 1st and drain the fat?
Hi Karee,
Sorry, I am not sure what you mean? I like to start the rice since that takes 20 minutes to cook, then make the salad so that is done, and then do the beef so you can serve that warm. I don’t drain the fat but feel free to do so:) I hope you love the recipe! xx
Hmmmm…..I haven’t even made the thai basil beef yet…
But in terms of the rice; I cooked according to your directions and even added simmer time. The rice is super soupy. I think it calls for way too much liquid….other recipes for coconut rice call for about 1/2 of the liquid compared to what your recipe calls for.
Hi Karee,
Thanks for trying the recipe and sharing your feedback, I do specifically note that the rice and cook differently for everyone, and this method is what works for me. What kind of rice did you use? xTieghan
Making this tonight! Is there an alternative you can recommend for fish sauce? Thanks in advance!
Hi Courtney,
You can use soy sauce in place of the fish sauce. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Sooo delicious! It was a hit for me and my husband. I started without my vegetables pre-chopped, so this recipe took me a bit longer than the recipe called for (obviously)! I cooked the rice for extra time, too. I accidentally added in some toasted sesame oil to the salad, but it was still fantastic. I also added more fresh chopped green onions – along with the fresh basil and peanuts – to the top of the bowl for one last crisp touch. 10/10 recommend this recipe!
Hey Anna,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xT
Love this recipe! It is a family favorite and we make it often.
Hey Gwen,
That’s great!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for making it! xxT
There is a little confusion with the way step 2 is worded. You say “make the beef” but then give the steps for the salad. Great recipe! But I almost added all the ingredients listed in step 2 to the beef.
Hi Rhea,
Wonderful!! Thank you so much for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback! I am so glad it was enjoyed. Sorry for the confusion, I will fix this! Have a great week! ?xxT
I came here just to gush about how much I LOVE this dish! We’ve been making it probably once a month for 2+ years. My only complaint is that the name is a complete lie—I’ve never made this in under an hour, and that’s even with having most of the recipe memorized. Lol. Instead of ground beef, we usually use sliced up chicken or steak and it’s delicious.
Hey Kate,
Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it! ☘️xx
This was delicious and so easy! I actually messed up making it and cooked all the toppings with the beef on accident but it turned out amazing and I think my picky family wouldn’t have eaten the raw veggies anyways. This will be another regular dinner at our house ?
Hi Megan,
Happy Sunday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for trying it out!! xTieghan
I didn’t think I’d like this as much as I did! Yum! Hit it out of the park as always.
Hey Jane,
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Have the best weekend:) xT
Delicious! We will definitely have this again!
Hey Wendy,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a go and sharing your feedback!! I love to hear that it was a winner:) xTieghan
I have not made this yet, but plan to. Step 3 is a little confusing. You’re not making the beef but the salad/topping… I think. Step 4 is the beef. You may want to change the wording.
Hi Lynn,
So sorry, I am not sure where the confusion is coming from, step 3 you are making the beef. Please let me know how I can help! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! I think she is talking about step 2. It’s says make the beef, then instructs how to make the veggies, then step 3 makes the beef. You may need to remove the “make the beef” from step 2. Anyways!! This is my FAVE recipe. I always make it when I want to impress. ? Was wondering what side you’d pair this with? I’m at a loss.
This was absolutely delicious! My one complaint is that it takes WAY longer than 20 minutes to make, so the name is misleading. Definitely will make again though!
Hey Erica,
Fantastic!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it:) Sorry this took you longer than expected. Have the best day! xxT
I made this last night and it was sooooo delicious!! My family raved about it and the only complaint was that I didn’t double it! I did leave the sesame oil out of the rice since there was already some with the beef stir fry but other than that followed it exactly. The beef was delicious. The coconut lemongrass rice to die for. And the fresh almost pickled veggies was fantastic on top! So so good!
Hi Vanessa,
Wonderful!! I am so so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed. Thanks a bunch for making it! xT
I made this tonight and enjoyed it. I just got back from a week out of town, and was unfortunately missing viable fresh basil, carrots, and lemongrass, which I’m sure would have made it even better. I tried dried lemongrass in the rice, but wouldn’t recommend it. Next time I will also leave the sesame oil out of the rice, as well, as it is overpowering. The beef was really yummy. I did cut back a little on the soy and just added it “to taste”, which was perfect.
Hey there,
Happy Sunday! Thanks for giving the recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Another amazing recipe!! Such a great and quick weeknight meal that packs so much flavor!!
Hey Marisa,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
This was amazing. After I took a bite I said “this is the best thing I’ve ever made.” I can’t wait to make it again!! The beef was SO flavorful and the rice was soo good. I’d been wanting to make this recipe for a while and the store was always out of lemongrass, but it was definitely worth the wait. Although it took me a lot longer than 20 minutes (I’m a slow vegetable chopper), I didn’t care – 5/5 stars!
Hey Claire,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am delighted to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan
Question….I am going to make this and wanted to know if the hot red pepper is fresh or dried. Sorry if it’s a dump question I just don’t know where to find this. It looks so yummy!!
Hi Meghan,
No worries, I used a fresh hot pepper. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xxTieghan
I will! I’m making it next week when I take my daughters and their friends to the beach. I can’t even believe how you respond to all of your comments. You are amazing!!!!
I can’t see where the recipe above calls for a fresh hot pepper. The Salad ingredients list a red bell pepper. Am I missing something?
Hi there,
For the salad you are just going to use a bell pepper, for the meat I did add a hot pepper because my family likes the spice, but it’s totally optional! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
This is my FAVORITE recipe. I always make it when I’m hosting new guests to impress. ? Question- what sides would go well with this? I am always at a loss.
Hey Steph,
Happy Wednesday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! For bowls, I really consider them the whole meal, I never really find that they need sides. xx