Vietnamese Caramelized Beef Bowls with Lemongrass Dressing
A bowl that tastes as good as it looks—and is healthy, to boot! Ground beef undergoes a quick marinade in Vietnamese flavors, including lemongrass, ginger, fish sauce and lime juice. The dressing doubles up on the lemongrass profile and is complemented with a heap of cucumber, mint and cilantro for a bright and fresh meal.
prep time
20 mincook time
30 minIngredients
Salad
1 (8 oz.) package rice vermicelli noodles
8 oz. butter lettuce leaves
8 oz. carrots, peeled and sliced into matchsticks
1 English cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly crosswise into half-moons
1 bunch each fresh mint and cilantro
chopped roasted and unsalted peanuts
1 lime, cut into wedges
Beef
2 cloves garlic, grated
1 thumb ginger, peeled and grated
2 Tbsp. fish sauce
4 tsp. light brown sugar
1 Tbsp. lemongrass paste
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 lb. Niman Ranch ground beef
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
Dressing
4 Tbsp. soy sauce
4 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp. lemongrass paste
2 Tbsp. light brown sugar
2 tsp. sriracha or hot sauce (optional)
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
Cooking Instructions
- Cook vermicelli noodles according to package directions. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk garlic, ginger, fish sauce, brown sugar, lemongrass paste and lime juice until blended. Add beef and mix until well blended. Allow to marinate for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make dressing. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, lime juice, lemongrass paste, brown sugar and sriracha. Whisk until sugar dissolves. Slow stream in vegetable oil, whisking, until dressing is thickened.
- When beef is done marinating, heat 1 Tbsp. in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon and stirring occasionally, until beef is dark and caramelized, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Divide noodles between four shallow bowls. Arrange caramelized beef, lettuce, carrots, cucumber, mint and cilantro in the bowls, then drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with peanuts. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing on top.
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