Say goodbye to boring beef mince recipes….. these Asian Beef Bowls are super tasty, super easy and SUPER fast! Made with just a handful of staple Asian condiments, the ground beef can be switched with chicken, pork or even turkey.
Also, don’t miss the popular noodle version of this recipe – Asian Beef Ramen Noodles!
Super quick beef mince recipe!
This one is for all those nights when you peer into your fridge, find a packet of beef mince and are completely uninspired to make Spag Bol – yet again.
This is also one for all those nights when you’ve been baking, filming and photographing recipes all day, and you swear you don’t have the energy to make anything for dinner but your mother brain washed you so well, you feel guilty for even thinking about picking up the phone to order home delivery.
Oh wait. Is that just me? 😂
This is not a traditional Chinese or other Asian recipe, hence the obscure name “Asian Beef Bowls”.
However, if you have ever made a Chinese stir fry – or in fact, any Chinese recipe – you will likely instantly recognise all the ingredients in the sauce. No Western ingredients. This is made with 100% authentic Asian ingredients. And when you take the first bite, it will be so familiar to you.
Because the sauce is so similar to many stir fries, yet an exact replica of none!
Here’s what you need
And here’s how easy it is to make:
What to serve on the side
Serve this over rice or, for a healthy low carb option, Cauliflower Rice (77% fewer calories and 87% less carbs than rice).
For a side salad, here are a few suggestions.
Side Salads to accompany this dish
I love this recipe because it’s made with beef mince (ground beef) i.e. no meat slicing. Asian recipes made with beef mince aren’t that common, but there are a handful of terrific ones and they are worth knowing for the convenience of being able to make a quick meal when you’ve got a packet of mince on hand. Here’s a handful of my favourites:
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Japanese Pork and Green Bean Stir Fry <<– On my mother’s website, RecipeTin Japan
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Larb Gai (Thai Lettuce Wraps) and San Choy Bau (Chinese Lettuce Wraps)
Unlike most stir fries, this one doesn’t come with a ton of sauce. But it’s juicy and the beef has a ton of flavour in it so when it’s all mixed up with the rice, you certainly won’t feel like you’re missing sauce. Promise! ~ Nagi x ❤️
Watch how to make it
“Wow! Can’t believe something that was so quick to do was also so tasty.”
– Jacqui, January 2019
“This would have to be the tastiest easiest mince dish I have ever cooked in 15 minutes.”
– Wendy, 10 May 2017
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Asian Beef Bowls
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 1 tbsp Hoisin Sauce (or sub with Oyster)
- 2 tbsp Oyster Sauce (or sub with 1 1/2 tbsp Hoisin)
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (or Mirin, dry sherry, sake or any rice wine) (Note 1)
- 2 1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce (Note 2)
- 2 tsp white sugar
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp white pepper (or sub with black)
Stir Fry:
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 500 g /1 lb beef mince (ground beef) (lean is good)
- 1/2 cup shallots / scallions , sliced, plus more for garnish
Garnishes:
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Mix Sauce together in a bowl
- Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 1 minute or until onion starts browning.
- Add beef and cook, breaking it up as you go.
- Once the beef has all changed from red to brown, add Sauce. Cook for a further 2 minutes, or until Sauce has evaporated and beef is cooked. If you want the beef cooked more, add a splash of water and keep cooking (I don't do this).
- Stir through shallots, then serve over rice, garnished with more shallots and sesame seeds, if desired. Or for a low carb, low cal option, try Cauliflower Rice!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Originally published May 2017, updated with new video, new photos, step photos, refreshed writing, and latest and greatest in Life of Dozer!
More quick 15 minute Asian meals
-
Quick Asian Beef RAMEN Noodles and Chicken Vegetable Ramen Noodles – 15 minutes, made in one pot
-
Chinese Chicken and Corn Soup with Egg Ribbons – so simple, this will blow your mind…
-
Pork Stir Fry with Green Beans – flavour packed!
-
Egg Fried Rice – it all comes down to the sauce…
Life of Dozer
Project Manager Dozer, reporting for duty!!!
raj says
Great + Easy Meal. Flavoursome! Your recipes are a winner in our household!
Cheryl says
This is the second time I have made this, and it’s just beautiful. So full of flavour! A perfect balance of salty, sweet & aromatic. Also very economical, as I had most of the ingredients in the fridge & pantry. Thanks once again Nagi – you are the best 🙂
Marcella says
The recipe was amazing! It’s quick and delicious
Kaitlyn says
This sauce was amaaaazziiiinnnnggggg. I actually used it on some bland meat and vegetables I had already made and combined it with some already cooked white rice and topped it with an egg = SO GOOD (would have taken a picture, but I ate it too fast😂). It was just what the meal was missing and definitely helped me have a good lunch. Would say it was a little salty for me, but that’s my only critique if you will. This recipe has already been bookmarked for later. Thanks for sharing!!!
Paula says
Tasty and quick but a bit too salty and a but too sweet for my tastes. Probably just a personal preference.
Alex says
Delicious, Nagi!
Simple, accessible ingredients – at least in my house! – and quick preparation = a delightful recipe!
The flavours meld together beautifully and the next day, it was even more flavourful.
I have both Mirin and Dry Sherry on hand and I chose to use the Dry Sherry this time around.
Thank you for another home run, Nagi!
“Cheers” to you and your sweetheart, Dozer, from the Canadian Prairies.
Jeanette says
Made this for tonight’s meal, double thumbs up from Hubby and son. Quick and easy delicious meal, store cupboard ingredients plus fresh mince. Standing ovation for Nagi, plus a big thank you thank you for sharing these recipes 👏 👏 👏
PS your book is absolutely fabulous. I’ve started from the beginning using a recipe each day 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Montserrat says
Absolutely scrumptious and very quick to make.
Thank you Nagi 😍
Diane says
This was super quick and easy to make. I used chicken stock and the flavor was similar to Korean bulgogi.
Emma says
Quick, easy and a huge winner with the kids. We serve with broccoli and it’s a hit every time.
Iain says
Made tonight & loved it
Quick & sooo easy to make & store cupboard ingredients
Had some fresh chopped chilli & coriander to “dress” it up at the end
Had with rice & gonna try with noddles next time
A definite keeper
Nice one👍😎
Emma says
Very nice and fast, our taste buds called for more of a kick so stirred in some siracha sauce towards the end.
Jessica says
Works well with impossible meat. I couldn’t even believe I made it! My partner asked me if we got takeout haha 10/10
Amy says
I just made this as I have 10lbs ground beef to use. I cooked up 3lbs for this recipe using double the amount of sauce below. I don’t think I have the same soy sauce so that’s why I altered the amounts. Amazing!! I plan on freezing most of it
Heather says
Again another yummy recipe. I snuck in some veggies with shredded carrots and frozen edamame in the last few minutes when I added the sauce. Served over rice. Super fast dinner. I can’t wait to make it again.
June says
Nagi, your recipes never disappoint and this is no exception. A dish with so few (and simple) ingredients and the result is an amazing flavour bomb in a bowl. Thank you!
kimchi says
It was delish! I will make it again.
Ann L says
Another fantastic recipe! I’ve fallen madly in love with just about every single recipe I’ve made from this site. Can’t wait to get your cookbook too! I used regular soy sauce cause my local grocery store didn’t have the dark version and when served I topped my bowl with a couple drops of hot chili oil and wow
Liz says
Great, easy recipe as always! I trust Nagi to deliver when I’m low on inspiration and motivation!! This was delicious and soo quick! I added some chilli oil and served with a salad/slaw thing with the RTE Asian Sesame Dressing. Dinner in 15 minutes!
Lydia says
Made it tonight! Added loads of ginger and a little chilli oil and it was absolutely splendid. Kids really liked it too!