Ground Beef Stir Fry Recipe

A delicious and easy-to-make meal, Ground Beef Stir Fry is a fantastic dish for busy weeknights or meal prep. It’s packed with flavor, loaded with vegetables, and uses simple ingredients that are often already in your pantry or fridge. Ground beef is a quick-cooking protein that makes this stir fry fast and satisfying, and the combination of savory sauce and tender veggies creates a satisfying, wholesome meal.

Instructions

Now that we have all the ingredients ready, let’s dive into making this delicious Ground Beef Stir Fry!

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

1. Chop the Vegetables: Start by preparing your vegetables. Thinly slice the onion and bell pepper. Slice the zucchini into half-moons and julienne the carrot into thin strips. If you’re using snap peas, trim the ends. Minced garlic and grated ginger should be prepared as well for quick and easy cooking.
2. Cook the Rice or Noodles: If you’re serving the stir fry over rice or noodles, go ahead and start cooking those first. Prepare white rice, brown rice, or noodles according to the package instructions. You can also use cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option. Once cooked, set aside and keep warm.

Step 2: Make the Stir Fry Sauce

1. Combine the Sauce Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the following ingredients for the sauce:
   • Soy sauce
   • Oyster sauce (optional)
   • Hoisin sauce
   • Rice vinegar
   • Brown sugar
   • Sesame oil
   • Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2. Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, dissolve 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water to make a slurry. Add this mixture to the sauce and whisk to combine. Set the sauce aside.

Step 3: Cook the Ground Beef

1. Heat the Pan: Heat a large non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and allow it to heat up.
2. Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break up the beef as it cooks. Stir occasionally, allowing it to cook until it’s browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. If there’s any excess fat, drain it from the skillet.
3. Season the Beef: Once the beef is cooked, season it with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Set the beef aside in the skillet and keep it warm.

Step 4: Cook the Vegetables

1. Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet, add a little more oil if necessary. Start by sautéing the onion and bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until they soften slightly but still retain some crunch.
2. Add Garlic and Ginger: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet. Stir constantly to prevent burning, cooking for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
3. Add Other Vegetables: Now add the zucchini, carrot, and snap peas (if using) to the skillet. Stir fry everything together for 3-5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften but still maintain some texture. You want them to stay slightly crisp to contrast with the beef.

Step 5: Combine the Beef and Vegetables

1. Add the Beef Back to the Skillet: Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, add the cooked ground beef back into the skillet. Stir everything together to combine.
2. Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared stir fry sauce over the beef and vegetables. Stir to coat everything evenly. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the beef and vegetables. If you added cornstarch to the sauce, this is the point where it will begin to thicken.

Step 6: Serve

1. Serve the Stir Fry: Serve the stir fry over a bed of hot cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for an extra touch of flavor and color.
2. Enjoy: Enjoy this hearty and flavorful stir fry that’s packed with tender beef, crispy vegetables, and a savory sauce. It’s a meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes but tastes like something you’d get from your favorite takeout restaurant.

Tips for the Best Ground Beef Stir Fry

1. Use Lean Beef: For a healthier stir fry, opt for lean ground beef (90% lean or higher) to avoid excess fat. If you prefer, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein choice.
2. Customize the Vegetables: One of the best parts of stir-frying is the ability to customize. You can use any vegetables you have on hand! Add broccoli, mushrooms, baby corn, or snow peas for more variety. Just keep in mind that some vegetables may take longer to cook, so add them accordingly.
3. Use Fresh Ginger and Garlic: While ground ginger and garlic powder work in a pinch, nothing beats the flavor of fresh grated ginger and minced garlic. They add a depth of flavor that really enhances the dish.
4. Make it Spicy: If you like a bit of heat, don’t hesitate to add more crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha sauce. You can also include fresh chopped chili peppers for an extra kick.
5. Be Careful Not to Overcook the Vegetables: Stir-frying is a quick process. You want your vegetables to retain some crispness and color, so be careful not to overcook them. They should be tender but still have a bite.
6. Make it Gluten-Free: If you’re gluten-sensitive, you can easily make this stir fry gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce and making sure your hoisin sauce and other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
7. Meal Prep: Ground beef stir fry is great for meal prep. You can store leftover stir fry in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop.
8. Add Some Crunch: If you like a bit of crunch in your stir fry, top the dish with chopped peanuts or cashews just before serving. It’ll add a lovely contrast to the tender beef and vegetables.

Variations and Customizations

1. Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry: Add broccoli florets in place of or alongside some of the other vegetables. The beef and broccoli combination is a classic stir fry that’s always delicious.
2. Sweet and Sour Beef Stir Fry: For a sweet and tangy twist, add a couple of tablespoons of pineapple chunks and rice vinegar. A bit of ketchup or sweet chili sauce will give it a tangy and sweet flavor profile.
3. Spicy Beef Stir Fry: Make it extra spicy by using fresh chili peppers or a tablespoon of chili garlic sauce. You can also add sriracha to the sauce mixture for extra heat.
4. Low-Carb Option: If you’re watching your carbs, consider serving your stir fry with zucchini noodles, shirataki noodles, or cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice or noodles. These alternatives have fewer carbs and are just as satisfying.
5. Add Tofu for Extra Protein: To make the dish even heartier, you can add tofu to the stir fry. Simply press and cube the tofu before stir-frying it until golden and crispy, then add it to the pan along with the beef.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve Over Rice or Noodles: The stir fry can be served over steamed white rice, brown rice, or rice noodles. For a lower-carb option, try serving it over cauliflower rice or shirataki noodles.
• Pair with Soup: If you want to make it a more substantial meal, serve the stir fry alongside a warm bowl of miso soup or hot and sour soup.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Top the stir fry with freshly chopped herbs like cilantro or mint to add a refreshing contrast.

Conclusion

This Ground Beef Stir Fry is a perfect blend of savory beef, crispy vegetables, and a rich, flavorful sauce. It’s a quick, easy, and versatile dish that can be customized to suit your tastes and dietary preferences. Whether you enjoy it over rice or noodles, with or without added spice, this recipe can be adapted in countless ways.

Yield: 4

Ground Beef Stir Fry Recipe

Print

A delicious and easy-to-make meal, Ground Beef Stir Fry is a fantastic dish for busy weeknights or meal prep. It’s packed with flavor, loaded with vegetables, and uses simple ingredients that are often already in your pantry or fridge. Ground beef is a quick-cooking protein that makes this stir fry fast and satisfying, and the combination of savory sauce and tender veggies creates a satisfying, wholesome meal.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 22 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil (or vegetable oil)
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 zucchini, sliced (optional)
• 1/2 cup carrots, julienned or thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional, for extra flavor)
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a little spice)
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• Cooked rice or noodles (for serving)

Instructions

1. Cook the ground beef: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, until it is fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
2. Stir fry the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sesame oil. Add the sliced bell pepper, onion, and carrots (and zucchini, if using). Stir fry for about 4–5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
3. Add garlic and ginger: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger (if using) to the skillet and stir-fry for 1 more minute, until fragrant.
4. Add sauces: Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce (if using), rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything together, ensuring the veggies are well coated.
5. Combine with ground beef: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet and mix it with the vegetables and sauce. Stir everything together and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
6. Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle with sliced green onions for garnish.
7. Serve: Serve the ground beef stir fry over cooked rice or noodles.

Notes

Feel free to swap or add other vegetables like snap peas, mushrooms, broccoli, or baby corn for a more vibrant stir fry.

For extra heat, you can add a splash of sriracha or chili paste to the sauce.