- March 18, 2020
- 30 Minute Meals
Thai Basil Beef Bowls
These Thai basil beef bowls are packed with savory ground beef, fresh vegetables, and fragrant Thai basil for an easy, flavor-packed meal. Served over rice and drizzled with a spicy, tangy sauce, they’re a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner that’s sure to impress.
Why This Recipe Works
Flavorful Without Effort: The combination of aromatic Thai basil, savory coconut aminos (or soy sauce), and nutty sesame oil creates complex layers of flavor with minimal ingredients and minimal effort! These Thai basil beef bowls are an easy to make weeknight meal that never compromises on flavor.
Healthy & Satisfying: These keto Thai basil beef bowls deliver high protein and plenty of vegetables while keeping things low carb, especially when served over cauliflower rice. It’s filling without being heavy and provides a good balance of nutrients!
Supplies Needed
- Large Frying Pan
- Mixing Bowl
- Knife & Cutting Board
- Spatula
- Tongs
- Sheet Pan
Ingredients
- Sesame Oil: For a light nutty flavor!
- Grass Fed Beef: I like to use grass-fed beef for these Thai basil beef bowls. You can use your favorite kind of high quality beef such as ribeye or beef tenderloin. Avoid using tougher cuts of meat like stewing beef, since that requires a longer cook time to become tender.
- Red Pepper: Red bell pepper sliced into thin pieces adds color and texture!
- Onion & Garlic: For a deeper savory flavor.
- Thai Basil: Thai basil lends a unique flavor common in Thai cuisine.
- Coconut Aminos: Coconut aminos are a low-sodium option to replace soy sauce!
- Salt & Pepper: To taste.
Preparation
- Prep: Pat the meat completely dry with a paper towel to ensure it browns. Season the meat with sesame oil, salt, pepper, and garlic. Slice the peppers and onions and set them aside.
- Sear the Meat: Preheat a large frying pan on medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the beef and sear it so it browns nicely on all sides. The meat is thin and will cook fast 5-6 min. Remove the meat and set it aside.
- Cook the Veggies: Using the same pan, reduce the heat to medium and add the pepper and onion. Sauté about 3-4 minutes, then add the meat and the coconut aminos in and cook so the coconut aminos reduce down and cook a few more minutes.
- Add Basil & Serve: Mix in the fresh basil and toss until it’s lightly wilted and serve over cauliflower rice and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Pat the meat dry before seasoning and cooking! Removing the excess moisture is essential to getting a good sear on the outside of the pieces of beef,
- Make sure to preheat your pan to medium-high heat. Add a nice swirl of sesame oil to the pan allow it to heat through and give it a swirl in the pan. If you have a lot of beef, cook it in batches (again to prevent steaming and to promote browning). Let it sear and brown on both sides and cook it completely through.
- Add the basil at the end! You want it to preserve its green color and bright aroma, so you only need to add it right at the end of the cooking process.
Substitutions & Variations
- Soy Sauce/ Oyster Sauce- A pantry staple sub for coconut aminos. Coconut aminos are considered paleo whole30 and keto compliant. But soy sauce or even an oyster or fish sauce works as a sub in these keto Thai basil beef bowls if that’s what you have on hand.
- Basil- Sometimes it’s hard to find Thai basil and sweet basil is the most common variety you often can find in the store. This works just as well for this recipe too!
- Ground Beef- Don’t want to use stir fry-style beef? Try ground beef as an easy sub for this recipe too
- For Some Spice- Add some freshly sliced jalapeño peppers or Thai chiles to the mix!
How to Serve
I like to serve my keto Thai basil beef bowls with a bed of cauliflower rice. Make sure to check out all my tips and tricks for making the best cauliflower rice! If you prefer, you can opt for regular white rice, brown rice, or quinoa!
Garnish with a little lime juice, green onion, or just some more fresh basil if desired. This whole meal is so easy to make and can be done in 30 minutes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Snow peas, mushrooms, broccoli, or green beans all work well in this dish.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to prevent the meat from becoming tough!
Thai Basil Beef Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. Sesame Oil
- 2 lbs Grass Fed Beef
- 1 Red Pepper
- ½ Yellow Onion
- 2 Garlic Cloves Minced
- 1 cup Thai Basil
- ¼ cup Coconut Aminos or soy sauce
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the meat completely dry with a paper towel to ensure it browns. Season the meat with sesame oil, salt, pepper, and garlic. Slice the peppers and onions and set them aside.
- Preheat a large frying pan on medium high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the beef and sear it so it browns nicely on all sides. The meat is thin and will cook fast 5-6 min. Remove the meat and set it aside.
- Using the same pan, reduce the heat to medium and add the pepper and onion. Saute about 3-4 min, then add the meat and the coconut aminos in and cook so the coconut aminos reduces down and cook a few more minutes. Mix in the fresh basil and toss until its lightly wilted and serve over rice.
Notes
browns. Season the meat with sesame oil, salt, pepper, and garlic. Slice the peppers and onions and set them aside. Preheat a large frying pan on medium high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the beef and sear it so it browns nicely on all sides. The meat is thin and will cook fast 5-6 min. Remove the meat and set it aside. Using the same pan, reduce the heat to medium and add the pepper and onion. Saute about 3-4 min, then add the meat and the coconut aminos in and cook so the coconut aminos reduces down and cook a few more minutes. Mix in the
fresh basil and toss until its lightly wilted and serve over cauliflower rice.