Ground Beef Stir Fry
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My ground beef stir fry is hearty and flavorful, packed with fresh, colorful veggies and tender ground beef then tossed in a sweet and savory stir fry sauce. It’s easy to prepare and comes together in just 25 minutes total, all in one skillet!
If you love this Asian-inspired recipe, make sure to try my air fryer orange chicken or my chicken teriyaki bowl for another easy weeknight dinner!
The easy stir fry that uses up those veggies
This meal is one of my favorite ways to use up all the veggies in my fridge. I love the different colors and textures the veggies add, and they taste incredible tossed with the tender ground beef and stir fry sauce.
My kids, Connor and Leah, aren’t shy about eating their veggies, but this ground beef stir fry recipe has them eating their entire plate, veggies and all! Connor’s favorite ingredient is the brococli, and Leah loves the bell peppers!
This meal is colorful, filling, and full of flavor, which is all I really want out of a quick dinner.
One thing that always stands out to me about this recipe is how quickly and easily it comes together. At a glance, stir fry recipes may look like they require a huge list of ingredients, but they are actually quite simple to prepare.
It only takes a few minutes to chop everything up and make the sauce, and once that’s done, you can toss it all together in just a matter of minutes.
Hamburger stir fry recipe ingredients
- Ground beef – I use an 80/20 blend for this ground beef stir fry recipe. It holds the sauce and flavor well and has just the right amount of fat to help keep the dish juicy.
- Cooking oil – Vegetable oil is my go-to here, but any neutral oil will work just fine.
- Garlic cloves – Fresh garlic adds bold, savory notes to the dish.
- Vegetables – I include a variety of veggies so this meal pops with different colors and textures. Red bell pepper, broccoli florets, and matchstick carrots are my favorites for a nice crunch, and I love the softness and earthiness that the mushrooms, zucchini, and red onion add.
- Sauce ingredients – My blend of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and brown sugar packs savory umami depth and sweetness into the stir fry. I also add water and cornstarch to get the best consistency.
- Toppings – Green onions are my favorite for extra freshness and brightness, and I use sesame seeds to enhance the overall appearance and add a subtle, nutty taste.
How to make ground beef stir fry
STEP ONE: In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients and mix until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.
STEP TWO: Cook the ground beef in a skillet until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain the grease and transfer the meat to a plate.
STEP THREE: Add the oil to the skillet and cook the veggies until they’re tender but still have a little crunch. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds so it doesn’t burn.
STEP FOUR: Return the meat to the skillet, then pour the sauce on top. Cook the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce has thickened.
STEP FIVE: Garnish this ground beef stir fry with green onions and sesame seeds, then serve with white rice and enjoy!
Recipe tips
- Prepare all the ingredients first. Since this ground beef stir fry cooks quickly, you should have the sauce prepared and the veggies chopped before you even turn on the stove.
- Whisk the cornstarch right into the sauce, not the pan. I used to add it on its own near the end and it clumped before it could mix in. Now I stir it into the soy sauce mixture from the start, so it blends in smooth and I skip that whole extra step.
- Cut the veggies into even-sized pieces. This helps them cook at the same rate, and I find it really helps their texture.
- To thicken the sauce, let it simmer. I always give it a good 2 to 3 minutes, and it thickens up beautifully.
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, adding a splash of water or broth is the easiest way to adjust the consistency.
Variations
- If you can’t find 80/20 ground beef, you can use a leaner ground beef or another protein of choice. Ground pork, chicken, or turkey would make the best substitutes.
- When I don’t have hoisin sauce on hand, I make a sauce with sesame oil and soy sauce instead. Check out my stir fry sauce recipe to see how it’s done!
- For a spicy twist, I add a squeeze of sriracha or chili paste into the sauce mixture. This bold sauce has a kick that complements the sweet and savory flavors of this ground meat stir fry so well.
- Serving this stir fry with a simple side is a great way to make the meal heartier and more complete. White rice is my family’s favorite, but you can also pair it with noodles if you’d like.
FAQs
How can I quickly thaw ground beef?
If you’re short on time, you can thaw ground beef in a large bowl with cold water. Make sure that the ground beef is sealed in a leak-proof bag or packaging before you defrost it.
Can I use other vegetables in a ground meat stir fry?
Absolutely! You can easily personalize this recipe with any other veggies that you love. Cabbage, bean sprouts, and baby corn are all popular choices!
How should I store leftovers?
Leftover stir fry can be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 4 days.
How do I reheat leftover ground beef stir fry?
The stovetop is the best way to reheat this hamburger stir fry recipe, and it only takes about 5 minutes! I add a little bit of oil to the pan, then toss the stir fry gently until it is warmed through.
More ground beef recipes
- Hamburger steak recipe
- Air fryer hamburger patties
- Burger bowl recipe
- Easy stuffed shells recipe with meat
- Hamburger hash brown casserole
One-Pan Ground Beef Stir Fry (25 Minutes!)
Equipment
- Small bowl for the sauce
Ingredients
Stir-Fry
- 2 pounds ground beef, I used 80/20
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- ⅓ cup carrots, cut into matchsticks
- white rice, for serving
Sauce
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoons water
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Garnish
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Whisk the soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin, water, and cornstarch in a small bowl until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Set it aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the ground beef and cook 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it up as it goes, until it's browned with no pink left and most of the liquid has cooked off. Drain the grease and move the beef to a plate.
- Add the oil to the same skillet. Cook the veggies 4 to 6 minutes until crisp-tender, then stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
- Return the beef to the skillet. Whisk the sauce again, since the cornstarch settles, then pour it over and cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until it thickens and coats everything.
- Serve over rice, topped with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
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