Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Stir Fry!
If you need a quick, no-fuss dinner, this beef mince (ground beef) stir fry is the answer. It’s packed with bold flavors, fresh vegetables, and a delicious teriyaki stir fry sauce. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love it:
- Fast & easy: Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal prep.
- Better than takeout: Rich, savory stir fry sauce with bold flavor.
- Healthy & balanced: Protein, vegetables, and naturally gluten-free.
- Great for meal prep: Reheats beautifully for lunches. Serve it over white rice, brown rice, coconut rice, ramen noodles, lettuce cups, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
If you love stir fry recipes, be sure to try this flank steak stir fry, ground turkey teriyaki rice bowl, ground pork stir fry, or pork lettuce wraps next.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground Beef – Also called beef mince. The main protein in this stir fry, providing a rich, savory flavor. You can swap it with ground turkey, chicken, or pork for variety.
- Fresh Vegetables – A mix of red bell pepper, broccoli, snap peas (or asparagus), and carrots. These add color, crunch, and a balance of sweetness and freshness to the dish.
- Garlic & Fresh Ginger – Essential aromatics that bring bold, slightly spicy, and fragrant notes to the stir fry.
- Sesame Oil – Adds a nutty, toasted flavor that enhances the overall stir fry. Used for both cooking and in the sauce.
- Coconut Aminos (or Soy Sauce) – A salty, umami-rich base that creates the signature stir fry taste. Coconut aminos is a great gluten-free option.
- Rice Vinegar – Adds tanginess to balance out the flavors and brighten the sauce.
- Maple Syrup (or Honey) – A natural sweetener that balances out the savory and acidic ingredients.
- Arrowroot or Tapioca Starch – A natural thickening agent that gives the sauce its sticky, glossy texture.
How to Make Ground Beef Stir Fry
- Make the Sauce – Whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Cook the Beef – Heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small crumbles. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the Veggies – Add remaining sesame oil, then stir-fry bell pepper, broccoli, snap peas, and carrot for 5-6 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Combine & Thicken – Return beef to the pan, pour in the sauce, and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Stir in garlic and ginger. Sprinkle with green onions & sesame seeds and serve over rice, noodles, or lettuce wraps.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Swap Proteins: Use ground turkey, chicken, or pork instead of beef.
- Change the Veggies: Try zucchini, mushrooms, bok choy, or cabbage.
- Make it Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or more sriracha to the sauce.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve over cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps.
Storage and Reheating
Store rice, meat, and veggie leftovers separate from the garnishes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheat leftovers, except the garnishes, in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
You can also freeze the meat and veggie portion in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving over rice.
If you love to make takeout recipes at home, try asian chicken wings, healthy chicken pad thai, korean beef tacos, or garlic salmon rice bowls.
More Ground Beef Recipes
Ground Beef Stir Fry
This easy ground beef stir fry is a quick 30-minute dinner made in one pan with tender beef, fresh vegetables, and a savory homemade stir fry sauce. It’s naturally gluten-free, great for meal prep, and better than takeout.
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Servings: 4
Ingredients
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
- 1 Tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch or tapioca starch
Stir Fry
- 1 lb ground beef (I used 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
- Garnish: Green onions, sesame seeds, or red pepper flakes
- To serve: White rice, brown rice, coconut rice, ramen noodles, lettuce cups, or cauliflower rice
Instructions
- Whisk together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.½ cup low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos, ¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice, 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar, ½ teaspoon fresh grated ginger, 2 cloves garlic, 1 Tablespoon honey or brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon cornstarch or tapioca starch
- In a large pan or wok, heat 1 Tablespoon of sesame oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and brown, breaking it up into small pieces, until no pink remains, 4-5 minutes. Transfer the ground beef to a bowl and drain the fat.1 lb ground beef, 2 Tablespoons sesame oil or olive oil, Salt and pepper to taste
- Add the remaining Tablespoon of sesame oil to the pan over medium heat. Add all of the vegetables and stir to cook until almost tender, 5-6 minutes.1 small yellow onion, 1 red bell pepper, 3 cups chopped broccoli florets, 2 large carrots, 2 cups snap peas
- Pour the sauce over the vegetables and bring it to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Continue to cook until the sauce bubbles and thickens, 2-3 minutes.
- Add the ground beef back to the pan and stir to coat the beef in the veggies and sauce. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over white rice, coconut rice, brown rice, noodles or in a lettuce wrap.Garnish: Green onions, sesame seeds, or red pepper flakes, To serve: White rice, brown rice, coconut rice, ramen noodles, lettuce cups, or cauliflower rice
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 477kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1272mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 7016IU | Vitamin C: 140mg | Calcium: 107mg | Iron: 5mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
FAQs
Can I make this ground beef stir fry ahead of time?
Yes! It reheats well and is great for meal prep lunches.
What’s the best ground beef to use?
90% lean works best so it’s flavorful but not greasy.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes, just thaw and drain excess moisture before cooking.
Is this stir fry gluten-free?
Yes, when made with coconut aminos or gluten-free soy sauce.
What can I serve with ground beef stir fry?
Rice, noodles, cauliflower rice, or lettuce wraps all work well.
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Easy and the most delicious dish. Loved by my very picky teenagers. Thank you.
Wow, thank you!