Cantonese ground beef and eggs is a classic Chinese dish that combines the hearty flavor of ground beef with creamy eggs. This combination of two ingredients is easy to make and packed with nutrition. The recipe itself translates to "窝蛋牛肉" (wō dàn niú ròu), which is the Chinese meaning of "beef with nested eggs" or "beef with egg nests". It is a very flavorful dish that cooks ground beef and eggs in a unique way. Beaten eggs are poured over the beef and gently stirred until the eggs are just set, creating a nest-like appearance.
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I am a huge fan of any rice bowl; I find they are so convenient and delicious! In this post, I will introduce you to everything about this delicious dish. Read on for more!
Ingredients
Ground beef: It is the main protein base of this dish. I recommend using lean ground beef due to its low fat content and quick cooking time.
Cooking oil: You can use vegetable oil or olive oil.
Beef broth: You can use water instead.
Oyster sauce: Gives this dish a touch of umami.
Light soy sauce
Dark soy sauce
Sugar
Sweet onions
Minced garlic: Adds rich garlic flavor to the dish. Feel free to substitute with garlic powder.
Cornstarch: Mixing cornstarch with water to create a slurry can help thicken the sauce and create a glossy finish. Add the slurry towards the end of cooking to achieve the desired consistency.
Frozen peas: They add color, texture, and a hint of sweetness to the dish. "Must-have" ingredient!
Large eggs
Chopped green onions and roasted sesame seeds: For garnish.
Dash of sesame oil: It is for extra flavor. It is optional.
Step-by-step cooking instructions
Prepare the ingredients: Chop the sweet onion into smaller pieces, and mince the garlic. Set aside. Mix the beef broth, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and cornstarch and set aside.
Cook the ground Beef: Add cooking oil to the wok or cast-iron skillet, and sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef to the wok, breaking it apart with a spatula or spoon. Cook the ground beef until it's browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally to break up any large chunks, about 5-6 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Add the frozen peas: Mix the frozen peas into the beef mixture and continue stirring for 1-2 minutes or until they reach your desired level of tenderness. (Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy if cooked too long.)
Pour in the sauce: Pour in the sauce and stir everything together until well combined and the sauce starts to thicken, about 1-2 minutes.
Create the egg nests: Crack the eggs into the center of the skillet, allowing them to spread out and form a nest-like shape in the middle of the beef. Ensure the eggs turn to a semi-raw texture or until the egg whites (edges) start to set. Turn off the heat immediately.
Serve and garnish: Transfer the Cantonese ground beef and egg mixture to a serving bowl and serve hot with steamed white or brown rice. If you want, garnish with chopped green onions and red chili flakes. Enjoy!
Tips and tricks
This recipe is the best way to have a quick and hearty breakfast, lunch, or dinner throughout the week. Here are some additional tips and tricks:
- Meal prep friendly: This dish is perfect for meal prep. Let the ground beef cool to room temperature, and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Flexibility: This recipe is very versatile. For unique flavors, experiment with ground turkey, ground chicken, or a mix of ground meat. You can also add more vegetables, such as green bell pepper or carrot slices.
- During the egg cooking: Avoid stirring the eggs once they're added to the skillet. Gently fold the edges of the eggs towards the center as they start to set, creating a nest-like shape.
- Poached egg topping: If you don't like the half-raw poached egg, cook the egg to your preference.
Final thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this post. Next time you are looking for a delicious ground beef recipe, give this one a try. I am sure this Cantonese-inspired dish will become your new favorite! Let me know what you think in the comments below. Happy cooking!
Cantonese Ground beef And Eggs (Under 30 Minutes)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 chopped sweet onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup peas
- 4 large eggs
- chopped green onions and roasted sesame seeds for garnish
- dash of sesame oil optional
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Chop the sweet onion into smaller pieces, and mince the garlic. Set aside. Mix the beef broth, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and cornstarch and set aside.
- Cook the ground Beef: Add cooking oil to the wok or cast-iron skillet, and sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef to the wok, breaking it apart with a spatula or spoon. Cook the ground beef until it's browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally to break up any large chunks, about 5-6 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the frozen peas: Mix the frozen peas into the beef mixture and continue stirring for 1-2 minutes or until they reach your desired level of tenderness. (Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy if cooked too long.)
- Pour in the sauce: Pour in the sauce and stir everything together until well combined and the sauce starts to thicken, about 1-2 minutes.
- Create the egg nests: Crack the eggs into the center of the skillet, allowing them to spread out and form a nest-like shape in the middle of the beef. Ensure the eggs turn to a semi-raw texture or until the egg whites (edges) start to set. Turn off the heat immediately.
- Serve and garnish: Transfer the Cantonese ground beef and egg mixture to a serving bowl and serve hot with steamed white or brown rice. If you want, garnish with chopped green onions and red chili flakes. Enjoy!
Krystle says
The ground beef is so flavorful! We love making this for brunch.
Marta says
I made this on Monday because I was feeling really uninspired. The entire family loved the beef and eggs and I loved how easy it was to prepare.
veenaazmanov says
This flavorful dish would be perfect for any meal. The combination of Beef, peas and eggs with the drizzle of all the sauces and spices is surely delicious. Yum
Jacqueline Debono says
This ground beef and eggs makes a really easy and tasty weeknight meal. I've already made it twice since discovering this recipe! Thank you!
Dennis says
What a flavorful and easy-to-make dish. It would be perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Megane says
So flavorsome and easy. I really wasn't in the mood to cook and this was so quick and tasty. Thanks loads.
DK says
Wow - this is such a delicious and simple dinner meal! I made this in mass earlier this week and took it for lunch every day at work!
Amy Liu Dong says
With a 30 min of making it, it looks great and delicious! Even if you don't know how to cook you can make this, this recipe is efficient and of course awesome!
Erin says
This beef and eggs were so delicious! I'll be making it again soon because we all loved it. Thanks!
Ramona says
First time having this dish and it was amazing! the beef and rice alone was beautiful but adding the egg made it perfect!