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Hot Honey Ground Beef Bowls

These Hot Honey Ground Beef Bowls are sweet, spicy, and ready in just 20 minutes. Juicy ground beef is coated in a sticky hot honey sauce and served over fluffy rice with fresh, crunchy toppings. It’s an easy, budget-friendly dinner that tastes like takeout but is simple enough for any weeknight.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 bowls
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 540
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Beef & Sauce
  • 1 lb ground beef lean or regular
  • 1 tbsp olive oil optional, for lean beef
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup hot honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sriracha or chili sauce optional, for extra heat
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
For Serving & Toppings
  • 3 cups cooked white or brown rice warm
  • 1 small cucumber thinly sliced
  • 1 avocado sliced or diced
  • 2 green onions thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds optional
  • pickled onions or jalapeños for serving, optional

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Measuring Spoons

Method
 

  1. Cook the rice according to the package directions if it is not already prepared. Once cooked, fluff with a fork and keep warm while you prepare the beef and sauce.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil if using, then add the ground beef. Cook for 5–6 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula, until the beef is browned and no longer pink.
  3. Add the finely diced onion to the skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant.
  4. In a small bowl or measuring jug, whisk together the hot honey, soy sauce, sriracha (if using), rice vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
  5. Pour the hot honey sauce mixture into the skillet with the cooked beef and onion. Reduce the heat to medium and stir well so all the beef is coated in the sauce.
  6. Let the beef and sauce simmer together for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the beef. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more honey for sweetness, more sriracha for heat, or a pinch of salt if needed.
  7. To assemble the bowls, divide the warm cooked rice between 4 serving bowls. Spoon the hot honey ground beef mixture over the rice.
  8. Top each bowl with sliced cucumber, avocado, green onions, sesame seeds, and pickled onions or jalapeños if using. Serve immediately and enjoy your Hot Honey Ground Beef Bowls while warm.

Notes

To keep things family-friendly, you can reduce or omit the sriracha and let everyone add extra heat at the table. This recipe also works well with ground turkey or chicken if you prefer a lighter option. For easy meal prep, portion the rice, beef, and toppings into containers and store them in the fridge for grab-and-go lunches.