If there’s one dish I turn to when I’m craving bold flavors with minimal fuss, it’s Ground Beef Stir Fry. This recipe perfectly balances tender beef with crisp veggies in a glossy, savory sauce — the kind of quick dinner that wins over even the pickiest eaters. It’s endlessly customizable, surprisingly colorful, and ready before you know it. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just looking to spice up your weeknight routine, this stir fry is the answer every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of pantry staples and a few fresh veggies, you’re only minutes away from dinner bliss. Each ingredient plays a vital role, combining to create vibrant texture and a crave-worthy balance of sweet, salty, and umami flavors.
- Ground beef: The star of our stir fry, offering rich, meaty flavor and a hearty base that cooks quickly.
- Bell peppers: Their bright colors and gentle sweetness add crunch and make the dish pop visually.
- Broccoli florets: These little trees soak up the sauce beautifully while adding a tender-crisp texture.
- Carrots: For a bit of sweetness and extra color; slicing them thinly ensures they cook alongside the other veggies.
- Garlic & ginger: This aromatic duo forms the backbone of classic stir fry flavor, so don’t skip them!
- Soy sauce: Brings the crucial salty, savory notes that round out the dish.
- Oyster sauce: Deepens the umami and adds a subtle sweetness; if you don’t have it, hoisin works too.
- Sesame oil: Adds a lush, nutty aroma—drizzle it in at the end for the best pop of flavor.
- Cornstarch: Helps the sauce cling irresistibly to every bite of beef and veggies.
- Green onions: For a fresh, peppery garnish that brings the whole dish to life.
- Cooked rice or noodles: Not strictly an ingredient in the stir fry itself, but essential for soaking up all that savory sauce!
How to Make Ground Beef Stir Fry
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Before you start cooking, chop all your veggies and mince the garlic and ginger. This classic “mise en place” step makes the stir fry effortless, since everything cooks quickly and you won’t want to pause once the pan is hot. Slice the bell peppers and carrots thinly so they cook at the same speedy pace as the broccoli.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks, allowing it to brown nicely. Once it’s no longer pink and starting to crisp, transfer it to a plate, draining off any excess fat for a lighter result.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
In the same pan, add a splash of oil if needed and quickly sauté the garlic and ginger for about 30 seconds. This releases the fragrance and infuses the oil, setting the scene for your Ground Beef Stir Fry’s signature flavor.
Step 4: Cook the Veggies
Add your carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli to the sizzling pan. Keep everything moving with a spatula so the veggies retain bite and color. About 3-4 minutes will do—aim for just-tender and vibrant so the vegetables hold up in the saucy stir fry.
Step 5: Combine and Sauce
Return the browned ground beef to the pan. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, a splash of water, and a teaspoon of cornstarch. Pour this sauce over everything in the skillet, tossing to coat. Watch as it thickens into a glossy, craveable glaze—this is the soul of the Ground Beef Stir Fry!
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Once the sauce is silky and everything’s piping hot, turn off the heat and drizzle in a bit of sesame oil for aroma. Top with sliced green onions and serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles. Get ready for seconds—the flavors are irresistible!
How to Serve Ground Beef Stir Fry
Garnishes
A sprinkling of sliced green onions and a flurry of toasted sesame seeds bring not only color but a hint of crunch and nuttiness to your Ground Beef Stir Fry. If you like a hint of heat, scatter on some thinly sliced fresh chili or a drizzle of chili oil for a spicy finishing touch.
Side Dishes
This stir fry shines alongside a bowl of fluffy white or brown rice, but you can just as easily serve it over rice noodles or even a bed of quinoa. For contrast, consider pairing with a crisp cucumber salad or quick-pickled veggies to brighten the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
You can spoon your Ground Beef Stir Fry into lettuce cups for a fun, hands-on twist—perfect for parties or light lunches. Or, make fusion wraps by rolling it in warm tortillas with a handful of fresh herbs. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers, transfer your stir fry (with sauce) to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making next-day lunches absolutely delightful.
Freezing
Ground Beef Stir Fry freezes very well. Cool the stir fry completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. It’ll keep its flavor and texture for up to 2 months—an excellent option for speedy meals on busy nights.
Reheating
To reheat, simply microwave in bursts, stirring in between until hot, or warm gently in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water to loosen the sauce if it’s thickened in the fridge or freezer.
FAQs
Can I use other ground meats in this recipe?
Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even pork can be delicious substitutes for beef if you want a leaner or different flavor profile. Just adjust the cooking time as necessary since some meats cook faster than others.
Is Ground Beef Stir Fry gluten free?
As written, it contains soy and oyster sauces (which often have gluten). Look for certified gluten-free versions of each, or substitute tamari for soy sauce to make this recipe gluten free without sacrificing flavor.
What vegetables can I add or substitute?
The beauty of stir fry is its flexibility! Snow peas, snap peas, zucchini, baby corn, or mushrooms all work beautifully. Feel free to use whatever is in season or in your fridge—just keep an eye on different veggies’ cooking times.
How spicy is this stir fry?
This version is quite mild, but you can turn up the heat with chili flakes, fresh chilies, or a spoonful of chili garlic sauce. Spice it up to suit your personal taste.
What’s the best way to double this recipe?
If you’re planning for a crowd, simply double all the ingredients and cook in batches if your pan is small. Overcrowding causes steaming instead of browning—keeping everything sizzling makes for the most delicious Ground Beef Stir Fry!
Final Thoughts
Give this Ground Beef Stir Fry a try the next time you want something fast, colorful, and full of flavor. I promise you’ll love how easy it is to make—and how fast it disappears from the dinner table. Enjoy every savory, saucy bite!
Print
Ground Beef Stir Fry Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Halal
Description
Quick, colorful, and brimming with flavor, this Ground Beef Stir Fry is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution. Featuring tender ground beef, a rainbow of crisp veggies, and a savory-sweet sauce, it’s a balanced meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect served over rice or noodles, this stir fry is easy to customize with your favorite vegetables and is a delightful way to enjoy a classic Asian-inspired dish at home.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small broccoli crown, cut into florets (about 2 cups)
- 1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 3 green onions, sliced (separate white and green parts)
For the Sauce
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/3 cup water
To Serve
- Cooked jasmine rice or noodles (optional)
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce – In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water until smooth. Set aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef – Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer cooked beef to a plate and drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir Fry the Vegetables – In the same skillet, add garlic, ginger, and the white parts of the green onions. Stir fry for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the bell peppers, broccoli, and carrot. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are just crisp-tender.
- Combine Everything – Return the browned beef to the skillet. Pour in the prepared sauce, tossing everything together to coat well. Stir fry for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the meat and vegetables.
- Finish and Serve – Remove from heat. Sprinkle with green parts of the green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately over cooked rice or noodles.
Notes
- For more flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for heat.
- You can swap or mix different vegetables, such as snap peas, zucchini, or snow peas.
- Ground turkey or chicken can substitute for ground beef for a lighter option.
- The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- For gluten-free, use tamari in place of soy sauce and ensure your oyster and hoisin sauces are gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 1 heaping cup)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 940mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
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