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:
Japanese Pork and Green Bean Stir Fry <<– On my mother’s website, RecipeTin Japan
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…
- See 15 Minute Recipes
Life of Dozer
Project Manager Dozer, reporting for duty!!!
The first time I made it I had no hoisin so I subbed with Oyster sauce and found it really salty (and I love salt). The next night I used Hoisin and it was AMAZING. Thank you!
I’m so glad you gave it another shot Amy! N x
Hi Nagi,
Mince in the fridge, single male after 27 years of marriage, what to do? Google what to eat with mince? Love the recipe, easy to make and tastes great. just forgot the sesame seeds I just wish that cooks would also have a recipe for one! Each time I have to guess with a little math and hope I have the right mix. Then I save the ones I love and tweek the ingredients from there. Scott xxx
Hi Scott, Use the servings slider scale at the top of the recipe to adjust for one serve and all the ingredients will adjust for you – 😉 N x
I absolutely loved this. I am super into rice, my husband….not so much.. So I cooked a portion of rice noodles for him. He loved it but kept reaching over to taste mine with the rice. haha next time I think i’ll only have to cook the rice.
You’ve totally converted him Joann!! N x
OMG I love this recipe! I subbed with chicken breast but still so yummy! My daughter and husband gobbled it up! I just stumbled on your site but I am looking forward to cooking more of your recipes!
I usually never comment on anything, but I had to when I stumbled across this gem. Absolutely delicious and super simple. Thank you for sharing Nagi, will definitely become a staple in my house.
So quick and delicious! This recipe has become a family favourite served with smashed cucumber salad… YUM!
Thank you Nagi x
A great combo Marni, I’m so glad you love it! N x
Everyone needs a recipe or 3 that calls for some protein and things you have in the pantry. This is it! Perfect for those busy days when you want to eat fast and not have to order in. Oh and it’s got plenty of flavor.
Yes definitely Scott!!
OMG Nagi Am soo lovely ur recipes Another mid week winner and thanks to you I have frozen cooked rice to boot.
PS I first always scroll down to Dozer pix before recipe!!
He always steals my thunder Dee! 🐶🤣
My Nana used to make something similar but she added peanuts, raisins and pineapple pieces to the mince. I haven’t had it in years but this comes close 🙂
Sounds great Brendan!!
I make this All the time. Our whole family loves it. Also do you have a recommended Hoisin Sauce brand? They look quite different in colour and I’m not sure what I’m looking for. Thanks 🙂
Hi Heather, I’m so glad you love it!! I’m in Australia, however I use this brand mostly https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/805105/tung-chun-hoisin-sauce
Thanks – I’m in Sydney too so I found it at Kingsgrove Woolies. Another question please…I make your recipes in bulk a lot because they taste so good and are simple enough to increase with your slider, but do you use 20ml or 15ml tablespoons? I saw in your About section that the difference for savoury recipes isn’t that much between US And Aus, but when I make a big quantity the difference seems a lot of mls. Thanks 🙂
Delicious and enjoyed by all the family! Substituted beef with kangaroo and served with a heap of veg. Super quick and easy.
That’s great to hear Ally! N x
Delish.. said I was gonna make it and yep 👍….
quick, tasty and versatile.. I added some mushroom and red capsicum to the onion.. only cause I like extra veg…
It’s so versatile Joanne, I always add extra veg 🙂
Read your opening comments and.. yep, I hear you… mince meat but no inclination to make spaghetti Bolognese again,,
Looking forward to making this..
I assume this is ok to freeze?
100% YES!
This recipe is my go to when I am tired and grumpy. Today was one of those days and dinner was delicious. Thank you.
I hope it cheered you up Kathy! N x
This too is the second time I have made this meal. I wanted something easy after a hectic Christmas. Such great flavours and so easy to prepare. I added capsicum, carrot and baby corn and served with brown rice. Yum!
Sounds great Kate! – N x
This is the second time making this in the last week and a half, the first time I added vegetables as I felt guilty not doing so but felt it took away the intensity of the flavors. This time I left them out and wow!!! The flavors are just amazing!!! Side vegetables next time, but seriously I could live on this dish and so could my kids..
I’m so glad you love it Amber!!
So fast and soooo good. I added a fried egg on top of each portion.
Great idea!!
Hi Nagi, this is our new favourite recipe I throw in some frozen steamed green veggies (nobody complains). Fantastic weeknight quick dinner.
Perfect Michelle!
My family absolutely love this meal and is often one that is so easily relied on to make a simple yet delicious dinner. We also like to use it as filling for San Choy Bow. Thanks so much Nagi xx
Great idea Ania!
Awesome quick meal. Added shirataki, chopped carrots and poblano pepper (left over in the fridge). Served on rice with stir fried veggies. So yum!
Sounds divine Michiyo!