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Drizzle sauce – Mix the ingredients in a bowl, set aside Recipe

Drizzle sauce - Mix the ingredients in a bowl, set aside Recipe
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4.6 from 72 reviews

Thai Sweet Chilli Beef Bowls are a vibrant, quick dinner solution channeling the irresistible flavors of a Thai chili basil stir fry—without the heat or the need for specialized ingredients like fresh chilies or basil. Using ground beef and bottled sweet chili sauce for simplicity, this bowl meal comes together in just 20 minutes and is endlessly customizable with your choice of rice and vegetables. The star is the sweet chili drizzle sauce, which soaks into the beef, rice, and veggies for maximum flavorful impact. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or family dinners where everyone can assemble their own bowl!

Ingredients

Main 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 substitute green onion)

Sweet Chilli Stir Fry Sauce

  • 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar (or substitute cider vinegar)
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce

Sweet Chilli Drizzle Sauce

  • 1 garlic clove, minced using garlic crusher
  • 3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
  • 2 tbsp lime juice (or rice vinegar)
  • 2 tsp fish sauce

For Serving

  • 2 batches jasmine rice (or plain rice of choice)
  • Steamed or fresh veg (such as chopped cucumber, cilantro, finely sliced red onion, or any veggies you like)

Instructions

  1. Make the Drizzle Sauce – In a bowl, combine 1 minced garlic clove, 3 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce, 2 tablespoons lime juice (or rice vinegar), and 2 teaspoons fish sauce. Mix well and set aside; this will be used to spoon over your assembled bowl for extra flavor.
  2. Prepare the Stir Fry Sauce – In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons each of sweet chilli sauce, fish sauce, and rice vinegar, plus 1 tablespoon oyster sauce and 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce. Set this aside to flavor the beef.
  3. 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. Transfer to a cutting board and roughly chop once cool.
  4. Cook the Beef Mixture – In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 1 minute until soft and aromatic. Add the ground beef, cooking and breaking it up with a spoon until it is browned and no longer pink.
  5. Add the Stir Fry Sauce – Pour the previously mixed stir fry sauce into the pan with the beef. Cook, stirring, for 3–4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and caramelize, coating the beef in deep flavor. Don’t shortcut this step—caramelization is key!
  6. Assemble and Serve – Serve the sweet chili beef over cooked rice, with your choice of steamed or raw veggies on the side. Generously spoon over the sweet chili drizzle sauce, top with toasted cashews and fresh coriander/cilantro. Mix everything together in the bowl for the best eating experience!

Notes

  • Toasting the cashews (or peanuts) brings out their flavor—worth the extra step.
  • If using salted nuts, reduce the fish sauce by 1/2 tablespoon in the stir fry sauce to balance saltiness.
  • Fish sauce can smell strong but is key for umami. If you must substitute, use all-purpose or light soy sauce.
  • Dark soy sauce gives the beef a deep color and flavor, but light or all-purpose soy can be used in a pinch (the beef will be lighter in color).
  • The sweet chili drizzle sauce turns any vegetables into a delicious side—use whatever you have on hand, raw or steamed.
  • Leftover beef keeps for 3–4 days in the fridge, or 3 months in the freezer. Store the drizzle sauce separately for best results.
  • Nutrition info includes rice; swap for lower-carb bases like cauliflower rice to reduce calories.
  • Great for meal prep—just keep rice, beef, drizzle sauce, and veggies separate until serving.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/thai-sweet-chilli-beef-bowls/