Coconut Curry Beef Bowls
These coconut curry beef bowls are the kind of cozy, flavorful dinner that come together with minimal effort. Tender ground beef is cooked with sauteed peppers, onions and simple seasonings then served over rice with a creamy That-inspired curry sauce.
It’s a combination that packs in so much flavor with a touch of heat. I love adding plenty of fresh toppings for a little crunch and brightness—think sliced cucumbers, scallions, cilantro, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
My Coconut Curry Salmon has been a reader and family favorite for years, and this recipe is definitely making its way into our weekly rotation. I love that the sauce is served at the end so I can serve the beef and rice to my toddler without the heat.
Why You’ll Love These Coconut Curry Beef Bowls
Quick and easy: Ground beef cooks quickly, making this a great weeknight meal.
Big flavor: Thai red curry, garlic, ginger, and coconut milk create a rich and aromatic sauce.
Perfect for meal prep: The beef and rice can be made ahead and portioned into bowls for easy lunches throughout the week.
Easy to customize: Add your favorite vegetables, adjust the spice level, or swap the rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice.
Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Yellow onion
- Red pepper
- Garlic powder
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Salt & pepper
For the sauce
- Coconut milk
- Soy sauce
- Lime juice
- Thai red curry
- Soy sauce
- Sugar
- Garlic
- Ginger
How to Make Coconut Curry Beef Bowls
- Start by cooking the peppers and onion in olive oil until soft. Add the ground beef with the soy sauce, honey, garlic, salt. & pepper and cook until the beef has browned, for about 10-12 minutes.
- To a separate small pot, add a small drizzle of sesame oil and saute the grated garlic and ginger for 1-2 minutes. Add the curry paste and pour in the coconut milk, soy sauce, sugar and lime juice. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes until thick.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding a little more soy sauce for saltiness or red pepper flakes for heat.
- Serve the beef over fluffy rice with a side of cucumbers, cilantro, scallions, and sesame seeds. Pour some of the curry sauce directly over the beef.
Make It Your Own
These bowls are incredibly easy to customize. Add sautéed broccoli, shredded carrots or cabbage to the beef mixture for extra vegetables.
For more heat, add chili crisp or a drizzle of sriracha over the bowl. You can also swap the ground beef for ground chicken turkey, or even tofu.
However you serve them, don’t skip the fresh lime and herbs—they add the perfect contrast to the rich, creamy curry sauce.
Serving Suggestion
Serve the beef over fluffy jasmine rice with lots of fresh toppings and a lime wedge on the side. These are ideal for meal prep if you have all of the ingredients ready in the fridge to assemble throughout the week.
These coconut curry beef bowls are flavorful, comforting, and easy enough for a weeknight dinner—exactly the kind of meal you’ll want to make on repeat. I can’t wait for you guys to try it!
Other flavor-packed dinner ideas:
Apricot Breaded Chicken Thighs
Cilantro Lime Salmon
Ground Chicken Lettuce Cups
Coconut Curry Beef Bowls
Ingredients
- 1.2-1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Coconut Curry Sauce
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk 13 oz
- 2 tbsp Thai red curry paste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp grated ginger
- 2 tsp grated garlic
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Serve with
- Rice
- Thinly sliced cucumbers
- Chili crunch
Directions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat with 3 tbsp of olive oil.
- Dice the pepper and onion and add them to the oil. Saute until soft, for 5-7 minutes.
- Add in the ground beef with the soy sauce, honey, garlic powder and pinch of salt & pepper.
- Cook on medium/high heat for about 10 minutes, until the beef has browned. Mix in the sesame oil towards the end and adjust salt as needed.
- While the beef cooks, prepare the sauce. Add a tsp of sesame oil to a small pan or pot on medium heat and mix in the grated garlic and ginger. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add in the curry paste, soy sauce, sugar, coconut milk and lime juice. Bring to a boil and whisk well, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until thick.
- Serve the ground beef over rice bowls with thinly sliced cucumbers, scallions, cilantro and the curry sauce poured over.
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