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Seared lemongrass beef bowl

Seared Lemongrass Beef Bowl

A fresh, herb‑forward bowl with thinly sliced beef quickly marinated in lemongrass, garlic, and lime, then seared hot for caramelized edges. Layered over rice or noodles with crisp vegetables and a light nước chấm‑style drizzle.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Vietnamese

Ingredients
  

Prep & Marinate Beef

  • 1 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin, flank, or hot pot–style slices
  • 2 stalks lemongrass white parts finely minced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger grated
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil
  • 1 teaspoons 2 teaspoons brown sugar or honey
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon chili paste or crushed red pepper

For the Bowl

  • Cooked jasmine rice or rice noodles
  • Thinly sliced cucumber
  • Shredded lettuce or cabbage
  • Pickled carrot + daikon đồ chua
  • Fresh herbs: cilantro mint, Thai basil
  • Lime wedges

Light Nước Chấm

  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 –2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 small garlic clove minced
  • 1 thinly sliced chili optional

Instructions
 

Marinate the Beef (10–20 minutes)

  • In a bowl, combine lemongrass, garlic, ginger, fish sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, oil, sugar, and pepper.
  • Add the thinly sliced beef and toss to coat.
  • Let it sit while you prep the bowl components.

Make the Drizzle

  • Whisk fish sauce, lime juice, water, sugar, garlic, and chili until the sugar dissolves.
  • Set aside.

Sear the Beef

  • Heat a skillet over medium‑high until very hot.
  • Add the beef in a single layer (work in batches).
  • Sear 1–2 minutes per side until caramelized and just cooked through.
  • Avoid overcrowding — you want color, not steaming.

Build the Bowls

  • Start with rice or noodles.
  • Add cucumber, lettuce or cabbage, pickles, and herbs.
  • Top with the hot lemongrass beef.
  • Spoon the light nước chấm over everything.
  • Finish with lime.

Notes

  • Thinly sliced beef cooks fast - don't take your eyes off it!
  • Add a splash of coconut milk to the marinade for a creamier, richer version.
  • Add variety to your weeknights by simply swapping rice for vermicelli noodles.
  • Meal prep friendly! Marinate beef up to 24 hours; assemble bowls fresh
Keyword beef, bun, bun bo, lemongrass, lunch bowl, marinated beef, noodle bowl, one-bowl meals, rice bowl, vietnamese bowl