Beef Meal Bowl with Grains (Printable Version)
Tender beef slices over fluffy grains with fresh vegetables and tangy dressing
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef and Marinade
01 - 1.1 lbs flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
02 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tsp ground black pepper
→ Grains
07 - 1 cup brown rice, quinoa, or farro
08 - 2 cups water or broth
09 - ½ tsp salt
→ Vegetables
10 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
13 - 1 cup baby spinach or mixed greens
14 - 2 carrots, julienned
→ Dressing
15 - 3 tbsp olive oil
16 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
17 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
18 - 1 tsp honey
19 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Optional Toppings
20 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
21 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or mint)
22 - 1 avocado, sliced
# Directions:
01 - Rinse the rice, quinoa, or farro under cold water. Combine grains, water or broth, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until tender—approximately 20 minutes for rice or quinoa, 30 minutes for farro. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - Combine soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and black pepper in a bowl. Add beef slices and toss thoroughly to coat. Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes before cooking.
03 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add marinated beef and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and just cooked through. Remove from heat and let rest briefly.
04 - Slice bell pepper, halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, julienne carrots, and wash spinach or mixed greens while beef cooks.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
06 - Divide cooked grains among four bowls. Arrange spinach or greens, bell pepper, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, and sliced beef on top of each portion.
07 - Drizzle dressing evenly over each bowl. Garnish with sesame seeds, fresh herbs, and avocado slices if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything comes together in one bowl with minimal cleanup, perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying but not complicated
- The combination of warm marinated beef, nutty grains, and crisp fresh vegetables creates that perfect balance of textures and temperatures that makes every bite interesting
02 -
- Slice your beef against the grain into thin strips—this shortens the muscle fibers and makes every bite tender instead of chewy
- Let the marinated beef come to room temperature before cooking, which helps it sear evenly instead of steaming
- Do not overcrowd your pan when cooking the beef or it will steam instead of getting that gorgeous brown crust
03 -
- Use a sharp knife and slice beef when it is slightly firm from the refrigerator for cleaner, more uniform pieces
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat, shaking constantly until they smell fragrant and turn golden brown