Hey y'all! If you love a little sweet with your heat, this Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl is about to be your new weeknight hero. Juicy, caramelized ground beef gets tossed in a glossy hot honey glaze and piled over fluffy rice with crisp-tender veggies for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal. It’s quick enough for busy nights, tasty enough for casual hosting, and perfect for meal prep. Let’s get cooking!
At a Glance: Time & Yield
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 bowls
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
Why You'll Love This Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl
- Sweet-heat flavor bomb: sticky hot honey glaze balances mellow heat with rich, savory beef.
- Fast and weeknight-friendly: on the table in just 35 minutes with minimal cleanup.
- Flexible and family-friendly: customize spice level, veggies, and toppings.
- Great for meal prep: reheats like a dream and stays saucy, not dry.
- Budget-conscious: uses pantry staples and accessible ingredients.
Ingredients for the Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl
Exact measurements for 4 servings:
Beef & Hot Honey Glaze
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, 85–90% lean
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (canola or avocado)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup (85 g) honey
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon (15 ml) water (slurry)
Bowl Base & Veggies
- 1 cup (185 g) jasmine rice, rinsed
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) water
- 12 oz (340 g) broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Quick Pickles
- 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Toppings
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Lime wedges, for serving
Step-by-Step: Make Your Hot Honey Beef Bowl
1) Cook the Rice
- Bring 1 ½ cups water to a boil in a medium pot. Stir in 1 cup rinsed jasmine rice and a pinch of salt.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 12–15 minutes until water is absorbed. Rest off heat, covered, 5 minutes, then fluff.
2) Roast the Veggies
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss broccoli with 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Spread on a sheet pan and roast 12–15 minutes until edges are lightly charred and stems are tender-crisp.
3) Mix the Hot Honey Glaze
- In a bowl, whisk honey, hot sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes.
- In a separate small cup, mix cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to make a slurry; set aside.
4) Brown the Beef for the Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl
- Heat 1 tablespoon neutral oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 1 minute).
- Add ground beef, season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, and cook 6–8 minutes, breaking it up and letting it brown deeply. Drain excess fat if needed.
5) Sauce, Glaze, and Simmer
- Pour the hot honey mixture into the skillet with the beef. Bring to a simmer over medium heat (about 1 minute).
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook 1–2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce turns glossy and clings to the beef.
6) Assemble the Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl
- Divide rice among 4 bowls. Top with roasted broccoli and saucy hot honey beef.
- Add quick pickled cucumbers if using, then garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lime. Serve hot.
Notes & Tips
- Food safety: cook ground beef thoroughly; the safe minimum internal temperature is 160°F (71°C). Source: Foodsafety.gov.
- If the glaze thickens too much, splash in 1–2 tablespoon water to loosen without dulling the flavor.
- Rice sticking? Rinse the rice well until water runs mostly clear to keep the grains fluffy.
Variations: Hot Honey Beef Bowls
- Turkey Hot Honey Bowl: swap ground turkey (93% lean) and add 1 teaspoon oil in step 4 for extra browning.
- Low-Carb Cauli Bowl: serve over cauliflower rice; sauté 4 cups cauli rice with 1 tablespoon oil, 5–6 minutes.
- Noodle Bowl: toss 8 oz cooked rice noodles or soba with 2 teaspoon sesame oil and top with the hot honey beef.
What You'll Need (Equipment)
- 12-inch skillet
- Medium saucepan with lid (for rice) or rice cooker
- Sheet pan
- Mixing bowls and whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
Storage for Your Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl
- Fridge: store components separately in airtight containers up to 4 days. Reheat beef to steaming hot (165°F/74°C).
- Freezer: the cooked beef freezes well up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Rice: refrigerate promptly after cooling; reheat with a sprinkle of water to restore moisture.
Serving & Pairings for Hot Honey Beef Bowls
- Add crunch with shredded red cabbage, carrots, or a handful of roasted peanuts.
- Drizzle extras: a swipe of mayo-sriracha or a splash of rice vinegar brightens each bite.
- Pair with a simple cucumber salad or miso soup; drink-wise, try iced green tea or a crisp pilsner.
Pro Tips for the Best Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl
- Get deep browning: spread the beef in an even layer and don’t stir for 1–2 minutes at a time for maximum caramelization (Serious Eats guide).
- Control the heat: for milder bowls, use 1 tablespoon hot sauce and skip red pepper flakes; for spicier, add 1 teaspoon sriracha.
- Fluffy rice every time: follow a reliable method and rest the rice before fluffing (The Kitchn’s jasmine rice tutorial).
FAQ: Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl
Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
Yes! Portion rice, roasted broccoli, and hot honey beef into containers. Keep pickles and fresh toppings separate. Reheat 2–3 minutes in the microwave until hot.
How spicy is it, and how do I adjust?
It’s a gentle medium heat. Reduce hot sauce to 1 tablespoon for mild, or add 1 teaspoon sriracha and extra flakes for more kick.
What rice works best?
Jasmine rice is classic for its fragrant, tender grains, but short-grain white or brown rice (cook time increases) also work well.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 cup diced bell pepper
- ½ cup sliced green onions
- ¼ cup hot honey (see instructions or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
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1Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 6-7 minutes.
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2Add diced bell pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened. Stir in soy sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute.
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3Prepare the hot honey by combining ¼ cup honey with 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce (or to taste) in a small bowl. Stir to combine.
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4To assemble, divide the cooked rice among four bowls. Top with the ground beef mixture.
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5Drizzle the hot honey over each bowl and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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