This easy ground beef stir fry is an excellent go-to meal when you need something healthy and fulfilling in under 20 minutes.
Combine ground beef with a mix of colorful vegetables like bell peppers and broccoli, and toss them in a rich, savory sauce.
Serve this delicious stir-fry over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal that will satisfy your hunger and leave you ready to tackle the evening.
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
This ground beef stir fry recipe works because it's quick, easy, and versatile, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The simple one-pot cooking method allows you to have a delicious meal ready in only 18 minutes.
Also, its simplistic list of ingredients allows you to use what you likely already have in your kitchen, making this a low-effort meal. It's also a healthy option, especially when using lean ground beef and plenty of vegetables. This healthy ground beef stir fry offers a balanced mix of protein and nutrients. Additionally, this dish is highly customizable.
You can easily swap in your favorite veggies, adjust the spice level, or use different proteins. This flexibility lets you tailor the recipe to suit your dietary and taste preferences, making it a go-to recipe for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cornstarch:
The cornstarch is used as a thickening agent in the stir-fry sauce. However, you can also use flour for this if you don't have cornstarch.
Stir-Fry Sauce:
The sauce in this quick ground beef stir-fry recipe is comprised of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. However, you can experiment with other flavors, such as hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, chili paste, rice vinegar, citrus zest, honey, and brown sugar.
Ground Beef:
For the best ground beef stir fry, use lean ground beef (90% lean or higher) to reduce excess fat and keep the dish light. Other proteins that work well in this recipe include ground chicken, turkey, pork, or plant-based options like tofu, tempeh, or vegan ground meat substitutes.
Vegetables:
A dish like this ground beef stir fry is an appropriate place to use just about any vegetable. Zucchini, squash, green beans, kale, spinach, carrots, bell peppers, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower are all popular options.
How to Make Ground Beef Stir-Fry
Step One:
Add the water and cornstarch to a bowl and stir to combine.
Step Two:
Stir in the soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger until incorporated. Set aside.
Step Three:
Heat the sesame oil in a pan over high heat.
Step Four:
Add the ground beef to the hot pan and cook until it is browned with a nice crust on all sides, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
Step Five:
Mix in the mushrooms, broccoli, and mixed vegetables.
Step Six:
Stir in the stir-fry sauce you made earlier and bring to a simmer, stirring continuously. Cook until the sauce reaches your desired consistency, and you can pierce the vegetables easily with a fork.
Step Seven:
Serve this easy ground beef stir-fry in a bowl of fluffy rice, and enjoy!
Tips
- Stir fry cooking happens quickly, so ensure you chop all vegetables and have everything ready before you start cooking.
- For a quick ground beef stir fry recipe, cook in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the pan can steam the ingredients instead of stir-frying them.
- Top your stir-fry with fresh herbs like green onions or cilantro, and add a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra crunch and flavor.
What to Serve With Ground Beef Stir-Fry
Serve it over steamed jasmine rice for a classic combination, or try it with noodles for a different twist. For a low-carb option, cauliflower rice and zucchini noodles are great choices.
You can also wrap the stir fry in lettuce leaves for a light, crunchy alternative. Add a side of pickled vegetables or a fresh cucumber salad to balance the meal with extra flavor and texture.
FAQs
How can I make this a vegan stir-fry recipe?
To make a vegan ground beef stir fry, substitute ground beef with plant-based alternatives like vegan ground beef, crumbled tofu, or tempeh. Use a vegan stir-fry sauce with tamari, garlic, ginger, and maple or agave syrup. Add plenty of vegetables for texture and flavor, like bell peppers, broccoli, and mushrooms.
Is this a gluten-free ground beef stir fry?
Yes, this is a gluten-free ground beef stir-fry, but you will want to ensure any ingredients like soy sauce or sesame oil are certified gluten-free to avoid any cross-contamination.
What's the best way to store leftover ground beef stir-fry?
Store leftover ground beef stir fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer-term storage, freeze it in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating,
How should I reheat my leftover ground beef stir fry?
Reheat leftover ground beef stir fry in a skillet over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, use a microwave, heating in 1-minute intervals and stirring between until heated through. For best results, add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out.
More Stir-Fry Recipes
Stir fries, like this ground beef stir fry, are a quick and easy meal that everyone will love and you can feel good about. From the crisp vegetables to the customizability, this collection of stir fry recipes will give you plenty of meal ideas suitable for any night of the week.
Instant Pot Beed and Broccoli (The most popular recipe on the blog)
Ground Beef Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger minced
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 5 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 1 head broccoli chopped into florets
- 1 cup mixed vegetables carrots, red, yellow, and green bell peppers
Instructions
- Add the water and cornstarch to a bowl and stir to combine.
- Stir in the soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger until incorporated. Set aside.
- Heat the sesame oil in a pan over high heat.
- Add the ground beef to the hot pan and cook until it is browned with a nice crust on all sides, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
- Mix in the mushrooms and broccoli.
- Add mix vegetables (carrot, bell peppers etc) and keep stirring.
- Stir in the stir-fry sauce you made earlier and bring to a simmer, stirring continuously. Cook until the sauce reaches your desired consistency, and you can pierce the vegetables easily with a fork.
- Serve this easy ground beef stir-fry in a bowl of fluffy rice, and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Notes
- Stir fry cooking happens quickly, so ensure you chop all vegetables and have everything ready before you start cooking.
- Top the stir-fry with fresh herbs like green onions or cilantro, and add a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra crunch and flavor.