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Quick Ground Beef Stir Fry for Weeknight Dinner

A close-up of a serving of ground beef stir fry mixed with bright green broccoli florets and slices of red and orange bell pepper.
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Make this simple ground beef stir fry for a fast, flavorful meal. This recipe uses common ingredients and comes together quickly, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (85% lean recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
  • Cooked rice or noodles, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until it is fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, broccoli florets, sliced carrots, and red bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Stir fry for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour this sauce mixture over the beef and vegetables.
  5. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir the cornstarch slurry once more and pour it into the skillet. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute.
  6. Remove from heat immediately once the sauce coats the beef and vegetables well.
  7. Serve your easy ground beef dinner ideas hot over cooked rice or noodles.

Notes

  • For a low carb option, serve this ground beef stir fry over cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice or noodles.
  • To get a good sear on the beef, make sure your skillet is hot before adding the meat, and do not overcrowd the pan.
  • If you prefer a sweeter sauce, increase the brown sugar by one extra teaspoon.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/ground-beef-stir-fry-quick-weeknight-dinner/