These hot honey ground beef bowls are the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory. Juicy ground beef is coated in sticky hot honey sauce and paired with rice and veggies for an easy, bold-flavored bowl that’s ready in about 30 minutes—perfect for weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
- Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 85/15 or 90/10
- 3 cups cooked rice quinoa, or grain of choice
- 2 bell peppers thinly sliced
- Seasonings & Flavor Base
- ⅓ cup hot honey store-bought or homemade
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos
- ¼ –½ tsp red chili flakes optional
- Pantry Staples
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lime juice
Instructions
- Prep Ahead
- Cook rice or grain according to package instructions and keep warm. Slice peppers and measure sauces.
- Brown the Beef
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook 5–7 minutes, breaking it up, until fully browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add Garlic
- Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Build the Sauce
- Add soy sauce, hot honey, chili flakes (if using), and vinegar or lime juice.
- Reduce heat to medium and simmer 2–3 minutes until glossy and well coated.
- Add Vegetables
- Stir in sliced bell peppers and cook 2 minutes, just until tender-crisp.
- Rest & Adjust
- Remove from heat and let sit 2 minutes. Taste and adjust sweetness or heat as needed.
- Assemble Bowls
- Serve hot honey ground beef over rice or grain. Add toppings if desired.
Notes
- Add hot honey after browning to prevent burning.
- Slightly fatty beef keeps the dish juicy and flavorful.
- Sauce thickens as it cools.