Spicy Basil Ground Beef Bowls

A flavorful and quick Thai-inspired ground beef stir-fry with fresh green beans and bell peppers, tossed in a savory sauce with fragrant basil and served over jasmine rice.
- Prep: 15 min
- Cook: 15 min
- Total: 30 min
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Thai
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: $3.81/serving
Dietary
- Dairy-Free
- Nut-Free
- Egg-Free
- Low-Sugar
- High-Protein
Tags
- quick
- savory
- spicy
- budget-friendly
Ingredients
- 1.5 pound ground beef (80/20 lean)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 pound fresh green beans (trimmed and halved)
- 4 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated)
- 0.25 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sriracha
- 0.5 cup fresh basil (roughly chopped)
- 2 cup jasmine rice (uncooked)
- 0.5 teaspoon salt (divided)
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper (divided)
Instructions
- Cook the jasmine rice: Combine 2 cups jasmine rice with 4 cups water and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat and keep covered.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon sriracha. Set aside.
- Brown the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 1/2 pounds ground beef and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add 1 diced yellow onion and 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Add 1 pound fresh green beans, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger. Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- Combine and finish: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables. Stir to combine and simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens. Stir in 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh basil leaves.
- Serve immediately over the cooked jasmine rice.
Notes
Adjust the amount of sriracha to control the spice level to your family's preference. This meal reheats well and is great for packed lunches the next day.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 639
- Protein: 40.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fat: 24.2 g
- Fiber: 3.3 g
- Sodium: 533 mg
- Saturated Fat: 7.8 g
- Sugar: 4.2 g
- Cholesterol: 106 mg