The bold and savory flavors of this Cantonese Beef Rice Bowl bring together everything you love about classic stir-fry meals—tender beef, crisp bell peppers, aromatic garlic and ginger, all served over fluffy jasmine rice. It’s a dish that’s as easy to make as it is satisfying to eat.
Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend meal prepping, this recipe delivers comfort and flavor with minimal effort. The saucy ground beef coats each grain of rice, while the hint of sesame oil and the pop of scallions elevate every bite. Whether you’re new to Asian cooking or a seasoned home chef, this one-bowl wonder belongs in your rotation.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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1 pound ground beef
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1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or peanut oil)
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1/2 onion, finely chopped
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1 green bell pepper, diced
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1 red bell pepper, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon grated ginger
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2 tablespoons soy sauce
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1 tablespoon oyster sauce
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1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
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1 teaspoon sesame oil
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1/2 teaspoon sugar
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1/2 teaspoon white pepper
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1 teaspoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water)
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2 green onions, chopped
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Steamed jasmine rice, for serving
Directions:
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Heat oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking up any clumps.
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Add chopped onion, green and red bell peppers. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until slightly softened.
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Add garlic and ginger, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Pour in soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper. Stir to coat evenly.
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Add cornstarch slurry to the wok. Stir well and cook until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables.
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Stir in chopped green onions, reserving a few for garnish.
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Serve the beef mixture over steamed jasmine rice and garnish with remaining green onions.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Introduction to Cantonese Beef Rice Bowls
Cantonese Beef Rice Bowls are a beloved comfort food found in countless homes, diners, and local eateries across southern China and beyond. This dish reflects the core principles of Cantonese cooking—simplicity, balance, and respect for ingredients. The beauty of this rice bowl lies in its quick preparation, rich yet clean flavors, and the ability to satisfy even the hungriest of eaters. Often served as a quick lunch or an easy dinner, it’s also ideal for meal prep and reheats beautifully, making it a staple in many busy households.
A Snapshot of Cantonese Cuisine
To understand the appeal of this dish, it’s helpful to briefly look at what makes Cantonese cuisine unique. Originating from Guangdong province, Cantonese cooking is known for its light seasoning, emphasis on freshness, and methods that preserve the natural taste of food. Dishes are rarely overly spicy or greasy; instead, they favor subtle sauces like soy, oyster, and sesame oil. In this rice bowl, those principles shine—ground beef is cooked quickly over high heat with aromatics like garlic and ginger, then coated in a balanced sauce that’s savory, a little sweet, and deeply satisfying.
Why Ground Beef?
Ground beef is not the most traditional cut used in Chinese cooking—sliced flank or sirloin is more commonly found in stir-fry dishes. However, ground beef works exceptionally well in a modern kitchen. It cooks faster, absorbs sauces better, and brings a hearty texture to the dish. For home cooks, especially in the West, ground beef is easy to source and more budget-friendly. In this Cantonese Beef Rice Bowl, it provides a tender and flavorful base that marries well with crisp bell peppers and fragrant sauces.
Sauce Simplicity with Depth
The soul of any rice bowl is its sauce. This particular dish uses a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, sugar, and a touch of sesame oil. This blend creates a rich umami depth without overpowering the freshness of the vegetables or the beef. Soy sauce brings saltiness and color, oyster sauce offers a mellow sweetness and gloss, and Shaoxing wine adds complexity and depth that elevate the dish from ordinary to restaurant-quality. The addition of cornstarch thickens the sauce slightly, so it clings perfectly to every bite.
The Role of Aromatics
No Cantonese stir-fry is complete without garlic and ginger. These aromatic staples form the flavor base of many Asian dishes. When heated in oil, garlic becomes fragrant and sweet, while ginger brings a peppery warmth and brightness that balances the richness of the meat. Scallions, or green onions, are added at the end both for flavor and garnish. Their slight sharpness cuts through the sauce, keeping the dish fresh and light.
Textural Balance with Vegetables
Cantonese cooking often highlights the importance of texture, and that principle is alive and well in this recipe. Crunchy green and red bell peppers not only bring visual appeal with their vibrant colors but also offer a contrast to the softness of the ground beef and rice. These vegetables are stir-fried just enough to become tender-crisp—cooked through but still holding their shape and bite. This contrast is essential in creating a dynamic and satisfying bowl.
Jasmine Rice – The Ideal Base
No rice bowl is complete without, of course, the rice. Jasmine rice is a traditional choice in southern Chinese cuisine, known for its slightly sticky texture and fragrant aroma. Its mild flavor provides the perfect canvas for the savory beef and vegetables. In this dish, the warm jasmine rice absorbs the sauce and complements the textures beautifully. For a healthier twist, you can substitute with brown jasmine rice or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.
Versatility for Every Palate
One of the great things about the Cantonese Beef Rice Bowl is its adaptability. Want to make it vegetarian? Substitute ground beef for finely chopped mushrooms or tofu. Prefer chicken or pork? Ground versions of those proteins work just as well. You can add bok choy, snap peas, or broccoli for more greens. Spice lovers can drizzle on chili oil or add fresh chilies to the stir-fry. The dish serves as a flexible base that can be personalized to suit nearly any taste or dietary preference.
Perfect for Meal Prep
This rice bowl isn’t just great straight from the wok—it’s also ideal for batch cooking. The ground beef and vegetables reheat beautifully without losing flavor or texture. Store them in individual containers with rice for grab-and-go lunches or ready-to-eat dinners. It’s a great option for students, working professionals, or busy families who want to eat well without spending hours in the kitchen every day.
Cultural Significance and Everyday Appeal
In many Chinese families, simple rice bowls like this are a staple of everyday eating. Unlike banquet dishes, which may be elaborate and time-consuming, a bowl of rice with stir-fried meat and vegetables represents home, nourishment, and daily comfort. There is an unspoken beauty in its simplicity—it’s not meant to impress, but to sustain. This recipe channels that cultural significance while also making it accessible to cooks around the world who may be new to Chinese cuisine.
Cooking Techniques to Master
Although the recipe is straightforward, there are a few key techniques that make a big difference. Stir-frying requires high heat and speed. Ingredients should be prepped and ready before the cooking starts—this is often called “mise en place.” Searing the beef until it browns adds flavor, known as the Maillard reaction, and not overcrowding the pan prevents steaming. A hot wok or skillet ensures vegetables cook quickly and maintain their crispness, preserving both texture and nutrition.
A Balanced One-Bowl Meal
From a nutritional standpoint, this Cantonese Beef Rice Bowl checks many boxes. You’ve got protein from the beef, fiber and vitamins from the vegetables, and complex carbohydrates from the rice. You can further balance the meal by adding a soft-boiled egg on top, a side of pickled vegetables for acidity, or a bowl of miso soup or broth for added hydration and nutrients. It’s a satisfying dish that fuels your body while exciting your taste buds.
Ideal for Beginner Cooks
Because it uses accessible ingredients and quick-cooking techniques, this dish is excellent for those just learning how to cook Chinese food at home. There’s minimal risk of error, and the results are consistently delicious. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or your family, this dish delivers restaurant-quality results with very little stress. It’s also a great entry point into broader Chinese culinary traditions, inviting exploration of more complex dishes later on.
Conclusion
The Cantonese Beef Rice Bowl is more than just a fast and tasty meal—it’s a gateway into the heart of Chinese home cooking. With just a few simple ingredients and a hot pan, you can create a dish that delivers incredible depth of flavor, nutritional balance, and cultural richness. It’s flexible enough to suit all kinds of diets and preferences, and easy enough for even a beginner to master. Whether you’re looking for a comforting dinner after a long day or a reliable lunch to prep ahead, this rice bowl is a must-try. Embrace the simplicity, savor the taste, and enjoy a truly timeless meal that brings comfort to any table.