Sweet and Spicy Chili Beef and Pepper Rice Bowls
I’ve been making these Sweet and Spicy Chili Beef and Pepper Rice Bowls for months now, it’s one of my favourite quick, easy, and pretty healthy recipes. January is all about eating comforting foods that are a bit healthier and these bowls fit the bill! These colorful Sweet and Spicy Chili Beef and Pepper Rice Bowls are full of delicious flavors and are made so simply.
The ground beef (or use chicken or pork) and sliced bell peppers and onions are cooked in a sweet and spicy Thai chili sauce until caramelized around the edges, then added to bowls of sticky rice. The bowl is then finished with lots of green onions, sesame seeds, and peanuts for a balance of spicy, sweet, and savory flavor. Altogether, these bowls are so delicious, plus quick to make.
I feel like ground beef is such a useful protein to have on hand. I know the typical use for ground meat is burgers or meatballs, but ground meat is perfect in sauces, tacos, and stir-fries and it’s generally less expensive than other cuts of beef or any meat, and it’s loaded with iron, B vitamins, and of course protein.
I love that this recipe is kind of like take-out but healthier. And I always make it just spicy enough for my taste, but with a kick of sweetness too. Topher tends to add extra hot sauce to his serving, but he adds hot sauce to pretty much everything he eats lol!
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.
More healthy, easy recipes you need to try:
What you need for Sweet and Spicy Beef and Pepper Rice Bowls:
sesame oil
ground beef (or chicken or pork)
onion
bell peppers
garlic
lime juice
black pepper
fresh ginger
rice, for serving
green onions, peanuts, sesame seeds for garnish
How to make Thai Chili Beef and Pepper Rice Bowls:
I’m obsessed with how easy this recipe is to make and how quickly it comes together. First things first, I make the rice since it actually takes the longest to cook, start cooking your rice right off the bat so it’s ready when your beef and peppers are ready!
For the beef, I start cooking it in a cast iron skillet until it’s beginning to brown. I use ground beef, but you can easily use whatever you enjoy here, chicken, pork or even tofu would be great. Once your beef is about halfway cooked (around 7 minutes) add in your sliced peppers and onions. Cook everything together for 3-4 minutes.
While your beef and peppers are cooking, I like to make my sauce. Just whisk together garlic, store-bought Thai Sweet Chili Sauce, lime juice, tamari, black pepper, and grated ginger.
Pour your sauce into your pan with the beef and veggies and let that cook for 8-10 minutes until it’s bubbling.
Then just put everything together. Load the bowls with rice, beef, and veggies. Garnish your bowls with plenty of chopped and roasted peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, and green onions.
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. You can find that recipe below, store-bought sauce also works as a quick and easy alternative!
These bowls come together so quickly and have so much flavor, which you know we love! And I really appreciate all the colours of the peppers, especially in the middle of winter!
Lastly, when you make this Cinnamon Raisin Baked French Toast, be sure to leave a comment on Instagram! Above all, I love to hear from you 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 favourite!
Sweet and Spicy Chili Beef and Pepper Rice Bowls
Author: ElizabethServings: 4
Ingredients
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 pound ground beef (or chicken or pork)
1 onion, thinly sliced
3 bell peppers, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 cup Thai Chili Sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce
2 tablespoons grated ginger
1 teaspoon black pepper
cooked rice, for serving
peanuts, sesame seeds, and green onions, for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a cast iron skillet over medium heat add the sesame oil and ground beef. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until starting to brown, breaking up the beef as it cooks.
2. Add in the sliced peppers, sliced onion, and sliced garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the veggies begin to soften.
3. Meanwhile, in a bowl, stir together, Thai Chili Sauce, lime juice, tamari, ginger, and black pepper.
4. Pour sauce into the pan with beef and veggies. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until it's bubbling and all the veggies are softened and the beef is cooked through.
5. Serve beef and veggies over rice. Garnish with roasted, chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, and lots of green onions. Serve and enjoy!
Homemade Sweet Thai Chili Sauce:
Mix 1/3 cup honey, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1-2 tablespoons chili sauce (sambal), 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.
