Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Beef Rice Bowl

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Marinated beef strips infused with lemongrass and fish sauce, quickly stir-fried and served over steamed jasmine rice with fresh herbs. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes pairs finely minced lemongrass stalks, fish sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak, 2 finely minced lemongrass stalks, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Divide 2 cups cooked jasmine rice among four bowls. Top each with the stir-fried beef, then sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 2 sliced scallions.
  4. Step 4: Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side to squeeze over the bowl for bright acidity.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Beef Rice Bowl take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Beef Rice Bowl?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fish sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Beef Rice Bowl?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Beef Rice Bowl for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Beef Rice Bowl?

Vietnamese beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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