This Ground Beef Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish, featuring lean beef and an array of fresh vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and snap peas. The rich, savory stir fry sauce made from soy sauce, orange juice, and ginger enhances the taste of the tender beef and crisp vegetables, creating a balanced and satisfying meal. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or meal prepping, this recipe is versatile enough to serve over rice, noodles, or even as a low-carb option in lettuce wraps. Its bold flavors and ease of preparation make it a family favorite, while being gluten and dairy-free.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
-
- 1 lb ground beef (90% lean)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 Tablespoons sesame oil or olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 3 cups chopped broccoli florets
- 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 cups snap peas
- Stir Fry Sauce:
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice (about 1 medium orange)
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch or tapioca starch
- Garnish: Green onions, sesame seeds, or red pepper flakes
- To serve: White rice, brown rice, coconut rice, ramen noodles, lettuce cups, or cauliflower rice
Directions:
- Whisk together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
- Heat 1 Tablespoon of sesame oil over medium heat in a large skillet or wok. Add the ground beef and brown, breaking it up into small pieces until no pink remains, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and drain the fat.
- Add the remaining Tablespoon of sesame oil to the pan over medium heat. Add all the vegetables (onion, bell pepper, broccoli, carrots, snap peas) and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring until they are almost tender.
- Pour the sauce over the vegetables and bring it to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Return the ground beef to the pan and stir to combine. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, or red pepper flakes.
- Serve the stir fry over rice, noodles, or in lettuce cups.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 477 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
A Perfect Blend of Flavor and Simplicity
Stir fry recipes have always been a go-to for home cooks looking for something fast, healthy, and customizable. One such dish that ticks all the boxes is Ground Beef Stir Fry. This flavorful and satisfying meal combines protein-packed ground beef with fresh, vibrant vegetables, all enveloped in a savory homemade stir-fry sauce. It’s the kind of dish that suits various dietary needs, from gluten and dairy-free to low-carb options, while still being packed with taste and nutrition.
The beauty of this ground beef stir fry lies in its simplicity and versatility. Whether you’re a busy parent looking for a quick dinner solution or someone who loves to meal prep for the week, this recipe has you covered. It can be prepared in just 30 minutes and adjusted to suit your preferences, making it a staple for many households.
Why Ground Beef is the Star Ingredient
Ground beef is a kitchen staple that many people already have on hand, making it a convenient choice for weeknight dinners. It is high in protein, affordable, and versatile, making it a popular ingredient in many cuisines worldwide. For this stir fry, lean ground beef is used to keep the dish lower in fat, but you still get a rich, meaty flavor that holds up well against the bold flavors of the stir fry sauce.
Another reason ground beef works well in this recipe is that it cooks quickly and evenly, allowing you to whip up a wholesome meal in no time. It also absorbs the stir fry sauce beautifully, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor. If you’re looking for a substitute, ground turkey or chicken can easily be swapped in to lighten up the dish or cater to different dietary preferences.
The Role of Fresh Vegetables
Vegetables are at the heart of every good stir fry, and this recipe is no exception. The combination of broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and bell peppers not only adds a variety of textures and flavors but also boosts the nutritional content of the meal. These vegetables are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making this stir fry as healthy as it is delicious.
Broccoli, for instance, is a superfood that provides a generous amount of Vitamin C and fiber. Carrots add a slight sweetness and are a great source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that promotes healthy vision. Snap peas bring a fresh, crunchy texture and are packed with vitamins, while bell peppers provide a pop of color and a healthy dose of Vitamin A and C. This vibrant array of vegetables not only looks appealing but also ensures you’re getting a well-rounded, nutritious meal.
What’s great about this recipe is that it’s flexible with the vegetables you use. Don’t have snap peas on hand? Substitute with green beans or baby corn. Out of broccoli? Try using cauliflower instead. You can use whatever vegetables you have in your fridge, making this dish a fantastic way to reduce food waste and get creative with your meal planning.
The Secret Behind the Stir Fry Sauce
The homemade stir fry sauce is the backbone of this dish, tying all the ingredients together with its savory, slightly sweet, and tangy flavor profile. Made with simple ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, fresh ginger, and orange juice, this sauce provides a delightful balance of salty, sweet, and umami flavors that complement the beef and vegetables perfectly.
The use of low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos ensures that the dish isn’t too salty, while the orange juice adds a hint of sweetness and acidity. Ginger and garlic give the sauce a warm, aromatic depth that pairs well with the richness of the ground beef. This combination of flavors is not only delicious but also incredibly satisfying, making the dish taste like something you’d order at a restaurant.
The addition of cornstarch or tapioca starch helps to thicken the sauce, ensuring it coats the beef and vegetables evenly without being too watery. This thickened sauce clings to each ingredient, giving every bite a burst of flavor.
A Versatile Dish for Every Occasion
One of the best things about this Ground Beef Stir Fry is its versatility. It can be served in a variety of ways depending on your dietary preferences and what you have available. For a classic option, serve it over a bed of steamed white or brown rice, which absorbs the delicious sauce and adds a heartiness to the meal. Coconut rice is another excellent option that adds a slight sweetness, elevating the flavors of the dish.
If you’re looking to reduce your carb intake, serve the stir fry over cauliflower rice or in lettuce wraps for a light, refreshing alternative. You could also pair it with ramen noodles for an Asian-inspired twist, making it a fun and customizable dish that can be adapted to suit various tastes.
This dish is also perfect for meal prepping. The ground beef and vegetable mixture stores well in the fridge for several days, making it a great option for lunches or dinners throughout the week. To maintain its freshness, store the beef and veggies separately from any garnishes, like green onions or sesame seeds. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply reheat and add the garnishes before serving. It can also be frozen, so if you’re someone who likes to batch-cook, this recipe will quickly become a favorite.
Customization and Dietary Adjustments
The Ground Beef Stir Fry is highly adaptable, making it suitable for various diets. If you’re following a gluten-free diet, you can easily swap regular soy sauce for gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. If you prefer a lower-fat option, using ground turkey or chicken in place of ground beef works beautifully while still delivering on flavor.
For those avoiding dairy, this dish is naturally dairy-free, but you could even add a dollop of dairy-free yogurt or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a unique twist. Additionally, if you are a fan of spice, adding red pepper flakes or fresh chili peppers will give the stir fry a nice kick without overpowering the dish.
Another option for customization is playing around with the sauce ingredients. You can experiment with adding a bit of sesame oil for a nutty flavor or incorporating a splash of hoisin sauce for a touch of sweetness. The recipe’s versatility makes it a fantastic base that can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
Conclusion:
Ground Beef Stir Fry is a delicious, easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or even as a dish to impress friends and family. Its simplicity and versatility make it a household favorite, and the balance of protein, fresh vegetables, and a savory homemade stir fry sauce ensures that it’s both satisfying and nutritious. Whether served over rice, noodles, or in lettuce cups, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
The ability to customize the recipe with different vegetables, proteins, and serving styles means that you’ll never get bored of making (or eating) this meal. Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned chef, this Ground Beef Stir Fry will quickly become a staple in your recipe rotation. Plus, with options to make it gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, or even paleo, it’s a flexible dish that can accommodate many different dietary needs.