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This spicy beef with peanuts is the perfect cold weather dish. Perfectly spiced beef mixed with crunchy peanuts, cilantro and served over basmati rice. The best part is that it’s ready in just 30 minutes!

As I type this I’m watching the Oscars. I’m not really sure why I even bother watching since I have seen zero of the movies nominated.
But really it was this or watching old episodes of Man Men and 30 Rock.
Well, now that I typed that out I’m thinking I should have gone with Don Draper and Liz Lemon.
But, now that I have been watching for over 2 hours I feel like I’m invested in seeing how it all turns out.
Luckily I made a better decision earlier in the day to test out this dish. I wanted to make sure the spices and flavor were just right.
Luckily for you, the dish did not disappoint! I’m going on record to say this dish is a new favorite. Plus because it’s Asian-inspired it gets me out of my “I never make Asian-inspired food because it weirdly intimidates me” box.
I know. It’s totally weird intimidation but we all have our weaknesses.
Right?

The thing I probably love best about this dish is that it’s ready in just 30 minutes.
I would say you could make this in 25 minutes but you need just a few minutes for measuring and stirring.
If only our kitchens came fully prepped like on some fancy cooking show.
The other thing I love about this dish is that it’s packed full of flavor. I even used my cooking nemesis – fish sauce. I don’t use a lot of fish sauce because if I’m being honest I cannot stand the smell.
How can something that smells so gross make food taste so good?

If you have never made yourself a rice bowl you need to change that asap. Think of your rice like a blank canvas and top it with whatever floats your boat. I went spicy because it’s what I love and I went Asian because I wanted to give those flavors a whirl.
Plus it’s fun to get into the kitchen and get creative.
Am I right?
More Asian inspired dishes
- Craving soup? Try my Instant Pot Asian Chicken and Rice Soup.
- Love crispy tofu? Try my Air Fryer Sweet Chili Tofu.
- Need a quick and easy dinner recipe? Try my Thai Ground Chicken Lettuce Cups.
- Want a semi-homemade dinner? Try my Asian Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich.
Spicy Beef with Peanuts

Ingredients
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 4 cups water
- 1 pound beef sirloin tips, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts
- 1/4 cup minced cilantro
Instructions
- In a saucepot add rice and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cover. Cook for about 20 minutes or until all the water has been soaked up and the rice is fully cooked.
- While the rice is cooking start working on your meat.
- In a large bowl add sliced beef, low sodium soy sauce, dark brown sugar, chili garlic sauce, fish sauce, grated ginger, and lime juice. Stir to combine and set aside.
- In a large skillet set over medium heat add olive oil.
- Once the oil is hot add in the onions and saute until soft and translucent.
- Turn the heat to medium-high and add in the meat and any marinade from the bowl.
- Saute quickly until the meat is browned and the sauce is cooked down and thick.
- Stir in peanuts and cilantro and remove from heat.
- To serve, top cooked rice with meat and sprinkle with additional chopped peanuts and cilantro if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.













The flavors in this are outstanding…the fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger – YUM! I watched some of the Oscars, but I had to take a break for the Walking Dead. And then I fell asleep trying to watch the Oscars again before seeing “the big ones” anway. Sigh…
This is going straight to the top of my must-make list. Love the combination of flavors!
I love everything about this! I want a bowl!
While I have never made a rice bowl we did buy a rice cooker that allows us to cook rice easily and more often! Definitely need to go make a rice bowl now!
I made this last night. It was freakin’ awesome. Thanks!
Wow does this look amazing. I want a big bowl of it right now! I honestly only watched part of the oscars to see those dresses. I have no idea about the movies they nominate, and when I’ve tried to watch them in past years, I was bored to tears.
hahaha I love your comment about fish sauce. it so true…that stuff smells flat out WEIRD. But it’s soooo delicious. I love this rice bowl!
I’m sorry to leave almost a repeat comment but A+ job on the placement of the peanuts and cilantro. 😀
And the dish itself looks amazing!
I totally agree about fish sauce but I feel like it’s what makes Asian food Asian food. You know what I mean? Sure you’ve got the other awesome flavors but it’s the one that makes you go hmmm. . . Also pass the chopsticks please.
This looks absolutely amazing and is definitely going on the dinner menu. Just pinned so I can try it! I have a feeling my family will love this! From a fellow Della Sir Maker 🙂