Easy Steak & Rice Bowl with Carrot Cucumber Salad
A nutrient-packed, quick-prep meal with an Asian-inspired twist and a side of hormone-supportive goodness. This bowl is one of my weeknight staples—super easy, endlessly adaptable, and the perfect balance of fresh, hearty, and flavorful. Bonus: the carrot cucumber salad not only tastes amazing, but it may help your body naturally detox excess estrogen. Science below!
By Giana Giarrusso
What You’ll Need:
For the Carrot Cucumber Salad:
3–4 carrots (shredded with a cheese grater or food processor)
1 cucumber (cut into not-too-thin, not-too-thick rounds)
⅓–½ cup seasoned rice wine vinegar or vinegar of choice. It's also nice with red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar too
Juice of ½ lemon or lime + toss in the rind
Salt + pepper
Chopped cilantro (if you don't like cilantro you can play with the herbs here, any kind of basil would be nice or parsley too)
Red or green onion (depends what I have on hand)
For the Protein:
1 lb ground beef (4 ish servings) or 1 ribeye steak (1 per person or can be split depending how much you eat and how big your steak is). Grass fed and finished is always best when it comes to beef
Salt + pepper
Green onion
For the Rice:
1⅓ cups white rice
Splash of rice wine vinegar (after it's cooked)
Cilantro + green onion (for topping)
Optional Sauce:
Bachan’s Japanese BBQ sauce, but use whatever you like, make your own, get creative!
Let’s Cook:
1. Start with the Salad:
Toss the shredded carrots and cucumber slices with vinegar, lemon or lime juice, and the rind. Add salt, pepper, chopped cilantro, and onion to taste. Mix and let it marinate while everything else cooks. It only gets better over time. I usually make a big batch for the week. I like having it on hand for easy meal preps and my boyfriend loves to take it to work with his lunches.
2. Make the Rice:
Rinse well, soak if time allows, then cook using equal parts rice and water. Don’t stir—just let it do its thing, add some water if needed as it steams out but not too much! When it's finished season with a splash of rice wine vinegar and fluff with a fork.
3. Cook the Protein:
Ground Beef: Sauté with the white part of a green onion, save the green part to top with after it's cooked. Season with salt and pepper or any spices you like. Drain the fat (or save it for tallow if you’re feeling extra sustainable).
Ribeye: Grill to medium rare (or more rare—your call). Slice into bite-sized pieces or slices.
4. Build Your Bowl:
Add a scoop of rice, top with steak or beef, drizzle your sauce, and sprinkle with cilantro + green onion. Serve with a big helping of that zesty carrot cucumber salad on the side. And enjoy!
Let’s Talk Carrots + Estrogen Detox:
Raw carrots contain unique fibers and antibacterial properties that may help bind and escort excess estrogen and toxins out of the body via the gut. This can be especially beneficial for anyone dealing with estrogen dominance, PMS symptoms, or general hormonal imbalances.
Quick science hits:
A 2004 study in The Journal of Nutrition showed that raw carrot fiber has the ability to increase fecal steroid excretion.
Research on dietary fiber and hormones (like this study) points to how fiber may reduce circulating estrogen by increasing its elimination.
Ray Peat (a biologist with a cult following) also discusses how raw carrots’ antibacterial fiber may help support gut health and hormone balance. While some of his work is controversial, many people swear by the "raw carrot salad" for managing symptoms like bloating and mood swings. And let me tell you, for me personally it's been a game changer.
TL;DR? Eat your raw carrots—they’re delicious, crunchy, and your hormones just might thank you.
Why I Love This Meal:
Quick & Easy: 30–40 minutes, start to finish
Great for Meal Prep: Everything stores well and holds flavor
Clean(ish) Ingredients: I aim for minimally processed where I can—grace over perfection!
High-Flavor, Low-Fuss: Big flavor, minimal effort
Portion Notes:
1 lb of ground beef = ~4 servings ish really depends. I don't measure out food, I eat until I'm full but do what works for you. Always consult with a professional if you feel you have questions.
1 1lb ribeye = ~2 meals for me but my boyfriend will eat a whole one
1⅓ cups rice = enough for multiple bowls. I like having it on hand for easy meals throughout the week.
That’s it, babe—easy, nourishing, hormone-loving goodness in under an hour. This one’s a go-to in my house, and I hope it brings the same ease and flavor into yours. Make it your own, play with the flavors, and don’t forget to double that carrot salad (your hormones will thank you).
If you give it a go, I need to see it—tag me so I can hype you up and maybe even steal your version. Let’s keep making meals that taste bomb and feel good.
With love (and a little spice),
Giana
@nearlyenlightened
@iamgianarosa
