Good evening, my wonderful friends! It’s Thursday evening here in Marrakesh, just about 8:45 PM, and I am so excited to share one of my absolute favorite easy dinner ideas high protein style: this incredible Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl! Imagine savory, perfectly seasoned ground beef glazed with an addictive sweet-and-spicy hot honey sauce, piled high on fluffy rice with crisp-tender broccoli. It’s like that viral hot honey ground beef bowl everyone’s talking about, but made easy and healthy right in your own kitchen! This recipe is the perfect balance of comforting flavors, fantastic nutrition (hello, meal prep high protein high fiber!), and weeknight-friendly speed.
Serving Versatility
These bowls are fantastic as a complete meal, but the components are super versatile! Serve the hot honey ground beef over quinoa or cauliflower rice for different grain or dinner recipes low carb high protein options. Stuff it into lettuce wraps, pile it onto baked sweet potatoes, or even use it as a flavorful topping for nachos.
Full Recipe: My Go-To Hot Honey Beef Bowl
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 15-20 minutes
- Total time: 25-30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories: Approximately 500-600 calories per bowl
Ingredients
For the Hot Honey Ground Beef:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 or leaner)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons hot honey (adjust amount based on spice preference)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil (optional, for flavor)
For the Bowls:
- 4 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
- 2 cups steamed or roasted broccoli florets
- Optional Garnishes: Sliced green onions, sesame seeds, extra drizzle of hot honey
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. Season the beef mixture lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hot honey, rice vinegar, and optional sesame oil.
- Pour the hot honey sauce over the ground beef mixture in the skillet. Stir well to coat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and glaze the beef.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked rice among four bowls. Top the rice with a portion of the hot honey ground beef and a generous helping of steamed or roasted broccoli.
- Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and an extra drizzle of hot honey if desired. Serve immediately!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation: This entire flavor-packed meal is ready in under 30 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights.
- Budget-friendly ingredients: Ground beef and pantry staples make this an affordable option for healthy beef meal prep.
- Big, cozy flavor: The sweet, spicy, and savory combination is incredibly addictive and satisfying. A star among protein bowls with ground beef.
- Nutritional value: A great source of protein and easily adaptable to be high in fiber with brown rice and plenty of veggies.
- Customizability: Perfect for easy meal prep for dinner – cook components ahead and assemble bowls throughout the week.
Cultural or Cooking Technique Note
The “hot honey” trend has taken the culinary world by storm, adding a delightful sweet heat to everything from pizza to fried chicken. This recipe applies that addictive flavor profile to a simple ground beef stir-fry, creating a dish inspired by quick Asian-style bowls. Using ground beef and quickly glazing it in a flavorful sauce is a fantastic technique for achieving a delicious, protein-packed meal in minimal time.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Bowl: Serve as directed over rice with steamed or roasted broccoli for a perfectly balanced meal.
- Low-Carb Power Bowl: Swap the rice for cauliflower rice and add extra non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini sautéed with the beef.
- Lettuce Wraps: Spoon the hot honey beef mixture into crisp butter lettuce cups and top with shredded carrots and green onions.
- Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Pile the flavorful beef mixture onto baked sweet potatoes for a hearty and nutritious alternative.
Pro Tips for Success
- Lean Beef: Use lean ground beef (at least 90/10) to minimize excess grease you need to drain.
- Don’t Overcook: Simmer the beef in the sauce just long enough for it to thicken slightly. Overcooking can make the beef tough.
- Adjust Hot Honey: Hot honey varies in spiciness. Start with the recommended amount, taste the sauce, and add more if you like a bigger kick!
- Veggie Prep: Steam or roast your broccoli while the beef is cooking to save time. Microwaving steamable bags is also a great shortcut.
Storage & Reheating
This recipe is fantastic for whole food meal prep ideas! Store the cooked rice, hot honey ground beef, and cooked broccoli in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, microwave individual portions until heated through, or gently reheat the beef mixture in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if needed. Assemble the bowls fresh just before serving.
Closing Paragraph
I am so incredibly excited for you to try this amazing Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl! It’s quickly become one of my favorite high protein dinner bowl ideas because it’s just bursting with flavor and so easy to make. It’s guaranteed to become a regular in your dinner rotation! Please give it a try, customize it with your favorite veggies, and let me know how much you loved it by leaving a rating and comment below!
🎀 Final Thoughts (Emma’s voice)
Oh my goodness, the sweet heat of that hot honey glaze on the savory beef is just everything! This bowl is so simple, but the flavors are so bold and delicious. It feels satisfying and comforting, but also fresh and exciting. It’s the kind of meal that makes you look forward to dinner all day! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.