This Steak and Crack Sauce Rice Bowl is a delicious and versatile meal prep option, combining perfectly grilled steak with a tangy, spicy “Crack Sauce” served over a bed of fluffy rice and fresh vegetables. The sauce adds a bold, addictive flavor that pairs beautifully with the savory steak and complements the other ingredients.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Steak

• 2 lb steak

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp oil

For the Crack Sauce

• 1/3 cup fish sauce

• 3 tbsp filtered water

• 2 tbsp sugar

• Juice of 1 lime

• 3 Thai chilies (sliced)

For the Rice and Salad

• 6 cups cooked white jasmine rice

• 1 large shallot (sliced)

• 2 English cucumbers (sliced)

• Fresh cilantro (roughly chopped)

Directions

1. Prepare the Steak:
   Dry brine the steak by rubbing salt on both sides. Place the steaks on a baking tray and refrigerate uncovered for at least 1 hour.
   When ready to cook, remove the steak from the fridge and season generously with black pepper and oil. Let it come to room temperature. Grill the steak over high heat for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until your desired doneness is achieved. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.

2. Prepare the Salad:
   Slice the shallot into strips and soak them in cold water for 5 minutes to remove the raw bite (optional). Slice the cucumbers on a slight bias. Roughly chop the cilantro. Place the veggies and herbs into a Ziploc bag, dividing them evenly for each serving.

3. Make the Crack Sauce:
   In a mixing bowl, combine fish sauce, water, sugar, lime juice, and chopped Thai chilies. Stir well until the sugar dissolves. Divide the sauce into six portions.

4. Assemble the Bowl:
   In each bowl, add 1 cup of cooked jasmine rice. Top with the Ziploc bag of veggies and the sauce container. Add the sliced steak on top of the rice.

5. Reheat and Serve:
   To reheat, remove the veggies and sauce, and microwave the rice and steak for 1-2 minutes. Then, pour the sauce over the rice and steak, add the veggies, and enjoy!

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 650

• Protein: 44g

• Carbohydrates: 54g

• Fat: 15g

• Fiber: 2g

• Sodium: 900mg

Why Steak and Crack Sauce Rice Bowls Work

Steak and rice bowls are incredibly popular for good reason—they combine tender, juicy steak with comforting rice and flavorful toppings, creating a complete meal in one bowl. This version takes the concept to the next level by adding the bold, tangy, and spicy “Crack Sauce,” which gives the dish a complex, umami-rich flavor profile. The sauce adds a zesty kick that balances the richness of the steak, while the fresh vegetables provide crunch and freshness. This dish is not only satisfying, but it also has a beautiful balance of textures and flavors, with savory steak, fluffy rice, crunchy vegetables, and a punchy sauce.

The combination of protein from the steak, carbohydrates from the jasmine rice, and a variety of fresh veggies makes this bowl a well-rounded meal that works perfectly for lunch or dinner. Plus, it’s easy to prepare in bulk, making it a great option for meal prep.

The Secret of the “Crack Sauce”

The “Crack Sauce” is the star of this recipe. Named for its addictive, bold flavor, this sauce is a unique blend of fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, water, and Thai chilies. The fish sauce gives it a savory depth and umami richness, while the sugar provides a slight sweetness that balances out the tanginess of the lime juice and the heat of the Thai chilies.

This sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used not only in this rice bowl but also as a marinade for chicken or seafood, or even as a dipping sauce for spring rolls. The Thai chilies give it a spicy kick, but you can adjust the heat level based on your preference by using more or fewer chilies. The sauce can also be stored in the fridge for a few days, making it a great staple to have on hand for future meals.

How to Prepare the Steak

For the steak, the key to achieving the perfect texture is dry brining. By rubbing salt on both sides of the steak and letting it rest uncovered in the refrigerator for at least an hour, you allow the salt to draw out moisture from the steak, which then reabsorbs, enhancing its flavor and tenderness. This dry brining process helps ensure that the steak is seasoned perfectly from the inside out.

Once the steak is ready to cook, it’s important to let it come to room temperature before grilling. Season the steak generously with black pepper and oil to help it develop a beautiful crust when it hits the grill. Grill the steak over high heat for 3-5 minutes on each side, depending on your desired doneness. For a perfect medium-rare steak, 3-4 minutes per side is ideal. After grilling, allow the steak to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing it against the grain. Resting the meat allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the steak juicy and tender when sliced.

Building the Rice Bowl

The rice bowl itself is incredibly easy to assemble. The base of the bowl is 1 cup of cooked jasmine rice, which is soft, fluffy, and slightly fragrant. Jasmine rice works wonderfully with the savory steak and crack sauce because of its slight sweetness and ability to absorb the sauce’s flavors.

The vegetables are simple yet essential for adding a refreshing crunch and vibrant flavor to the bowl. Thinly sliced shallots, cucumbers, and fresh cilantro are the perfect combination for adding a touch of crispness and brightness to balance the rich steak and savory sauce. The shallots can be soaked in cold water for 5 minutes to take away some of their raw bite, making them milder and more palatable in the dish.

Once the rice is in the bowl, top it with the fresh vegetables and the crack sauce. Then, add the sliced steak on top. This allows you to enjoy all the flavors together in each bite, with the heat and tang of the sauce perfectly complementing the juicy steak and the freshness of the vegetables.

Meal Prep Convenience

One of the best things about the Steak and Crack Sauce Rice Bowl is how easy it is to prepare and store. This dish is perfect for meal prepping because it can be made in bulk, and the components can be stored separately for easy assembly throughout the week. Prepare the rice, grill the steak, and make the sauce and vegetables ahead of time. Then, when you’re ready to eat, simply assemble the bowls with the rice, steak, veggies, and sauce, and heat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

The crack sauce can be stored in small containers, and the vegetables can be pre-sliced and stored in Ziploc bags. This makes it super convenient for busy days when you want a delicious, homemade meal in no time. The bowl is perfectly portioned and can be customized by adding more or less sauce or adjusting the vegetable components to suit your preferences.

Nutritional Benefits of the Steak and Crack Sauce Rice Bowl

The Steak and Crack Sauce Rice Bowl provides a balanced meal with a good amount of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Each serving contains approximately 650 calories, with 44 grams of protein from the steak. The dish also provides 54 grams of carbohydrates from the jasmine rice, making it a great energy-boosting meal. The 15 grams of fat come from the steak and the oil used to grill it, providing the necessary healthy fats to keep you feeling full and satisfied.

The dish is relatively low in fiber, with 2 grams per serving, but you can boost the fiber content by adding more vegetables or even incorporating some leafy greens into the salad. The sodium content is moderate, so it’s important to be mindful of how much sauce you add, especially if you’re watching your sodium intake.

Conclusion: A Flavorful, Versatile Meal

The Steak and Crack Sauce Rice Bowl is a perfect example of how bold flavors and simple ingredients can come together to create a truly satisfying and versatile meal. The perfectly grilled steak, paired with the addictive crack sauce, fresh vegetables, and fluffy jasmine rice, offers a delightful combination of savory, spicy, and tangy elements. It’s the kind of dish that’s ideal for meal prep, and the leftovers are just as delicious when reheated.

Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or preparing meals in advance for the week, this rice bowl is a flavorful and balanced option that will keep you coming back for more. The crack sauce is the secret ingredient that elevates the dish, making it an unforgettable and addictive meal that’s perfect for any occasion.