This Cantonese Ground Beef Rice and Eggs is a hearty and flavorful dish that’s easy to prepare in just 30 minutes. Ground beef is braised in a savory oyster-sauce-based sauce, then topped with runny eggs, making it perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Served over steamed rice or noodles, this meal is both satisfying and nutritious.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the sauce:

  • 2 cups chicken stock (or beef/vegetable stock)

  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce

  • 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)

  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce

  • 1 tsp dark soy sauce

  • 1/8 tsp white pepper powder

• For cooking:

  • 1 tbsp peanut or vegetable oil

  • 1 yellow onion, minced

  • 2 tsp ginger, minced

  • 2 tbsp cornstarch

  • 1 cup frozen green peas

  • 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 5 large eggs (Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs recommended)

• For serving:

  • 2 cups steamed rice

Directions

1. Prepare the sauce: Mix all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

2. Cook the beef: Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into smaller pieces. Add the onion and ginger and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.

3. Add the sauce: Pour in the prepared sauce and stir to mix well. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, ensuring some sauce is left to coat the beef.

4. Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 1/4 cup water to create a slurry. Add half of it to the pan, stirring until the sauce thickens. If needed, add more slurry to reach desired thickness.

5. Add peas and eggs: Stir in the frozen peas. Crack the eggs directly into the pan, cover, and cook for 2-3 minutes until the whites are set, and yolks are runny (or longer if preferred).

6. Finish and serve: Drizzle sesame oil over the dish, if using. Serve the beef and eggs over steamed rice, and enjoy!

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 359 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 14.8g

• Protein: 38.6g

• Fat: 15.8g

• Saturated Fat: 4.8g

• Cholesterol: 314mg

• Sodium: 1103mg

• Potassium: 616mg

• Fiber: 2.6g

• Sugar: 6.2g

• Calcium: 60mg

• Iron: 19mg

This Cantonese dish offers a balanced, delicious meal in no time, with savory beef, a flavorful sauce, and perfectly cooked eggs!

The Savory Sauce: A Key Element in the Flavor

At the heart of this dish is its deeply savory sauce, which transforms the ground beef into something truly special. The sauce combines chicken stock, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, and soy sauce to create a rich umami flavor that perfectly complements the beef. Oyster sauce, a staple in Cantonese cuisine, is a key ingredient in the sauce and adds a slightly sweet, earthy flavor with a touch of saltiness that enhances the overall dish. The addition of Shaoxing wine or dry sherry introduces an aromatic and slightly tangy note, balancing the richness of the oyster sauce. The use of both light and dark soy sauce contributes a balanced depth of flavor, with the dark soy sauce adding a touch of sweetness and color to the dish.

In this recipe, white pepper adds a gentle heat, rounding out the sauce’s complexity. Together, these ingredients form a flavorful base that envelops the ground beef, infusing it with richness while keeping the dish light enough for a satisfying meal. The sauce also serves as the medium to cook the beef, helping to tenderize it and coat every bite with deep flavors.

Ground Beef: The Protein-Packed Base

The main protein of this dish is ground beef, which takes center stage in the recipe. Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that absorbs the flavors of the sauce well, making it a fantastic base for this dish. The beef is browned in the pan first, which caramelizes the meat, giving it a savory depth. As the beef cooks, it breaks into smaller pieces, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor. When the sauce is added, it becomes tender and succulent, making each mouthful juicy and satisfying.

While the beef adds richness and flavor, it also serves as a great source of protein, making this dish both hearty and nutritious. For those who prefer leaner options, ground turkey or chicken can be substituted, though they may slightly alter the overall flavor and texture of the dish. However, the ground beef in this recipe offers a satisfying bite and brings the dish’s full flavor to life.

The Perfectly Cooked Eggs: A Velvety Touch

One of the most distinctive features of this dish is the inclusion of runny eggs. The eggs are cracked directly into the pan on top of the simmering beef and sauce, where they cook just enough to set the whites while leaving the yolks deliciously runny. The runny yolks add an extra layer of richness to the dish, blending with the savory sauce and beef for a velvety, comforting mouthfeel.

Eggs are also a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to the dish. The contrast between the tender beef and the creamy, runny eggs creates a satisfying combination that is both comforting and indulgent. While runny eggs are preferred in this recipe, those who prefer a firmer yolk can cook the eggs longer to suit their taste.

The Vegetables: A Touch of Freshness

While the dish is primarily focused on the beef and eggs, the addition of frozen green peas provides both color and texture. The peas are quick to cook, adding a subtle sweetness and freshness that balances the richness of the beef and eggs. They also offer a boost of nutrients, including fiber and vitamins. If you want to add a little extra freshness to the dish, you could also stir in some chopped green onions as a garnish, though this is optional.

Adding vegetables like peas helps to round out the dish and makes it feel more complete. It also adds a lighter element to an otherwise rich meal. For those looking for more vegetables, other options like carrots or bell peppers could be incorporated, but peas are the most traditional choice in this dish.

Steamed Rice: The Perfect Base

To serve the Cantonese Ground Beef Rice and Eggs, steamed rice is the ideal accompaniment. The rice acts as the perfect canvas, soaking up the flavorful sauce and providing a mild backdrop to the rich beef and eggs. The mildness of the rice also helps to balance out the bold flavors of the beef and sauce, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

Steamed jasmine rice or short-grain rice is commonly used in Cantonese cuisine, as these varieties are slightly sticky and perfect for holding the sauce. If you prefer a low-carb or gluten-free option, you could substitute rice with steamed cauliflower rice or noodles, though rice remains the traditional and most popular choice.

The Finishing Touches: Sesame Oil and Garnishes

To finish off the dish, sesame oil is drizzled over the top just before serving. The sesame oil adds a rich, nutty aroma and a final layer of flavor that brings everything together. This is an optional step but highly recommended for the depth it adds to the dish. A few extra garnishes, such as scallions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, can elevate the dish further, giving it a bit of texture and a pop of color.

Nutritional Value and Health Benefits

Cantonese Ground Beef Rice and Eggs provides a balanced meal with a good amount of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. At 359 calories per serving, this dish is filling and satisfying without being overly heavy. The ground beef provides a substantial protein content of about 38.6g per serving, making it a great choice for those looking to support muscle health or maintain fullness throughout the day.

The eggs contribute both protein and healthy fats, while peas provide a source of fiber and micronutrients like vitamin C and potassium. The dish is also relatively low in carbohydrates, with 14.8g per serving, making it suitable for a variety of dietary preferences. However, due to the use of soy sauce and oyster sauce, it does contain a higher sodium content, so those watching their sodium intake may want to use low-sodium alternatives.

Conclusion: A Quick and Flavorful Meal

In conclusion, Cantonese Ground Beef Rice and Eggs is a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal that can be prepared in just 30 minutes. This dish combines savory ground beef, a rich and aromatic sauce, and perfectly cooked runny eggs to create a comforting and hearty meal that’s perfect for any time of the day. With its balance of protein, flavor, and texture, it’s sure to become a favorite in your meal rotation. Whether served over rice or noodles, this dish is not only delicious but also nutritious, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a filling meal that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor.