Ground Beef Stir Fry Recipe

Make this Ground Beef Stir Fry recipe once, and it might just end up in your weekly rotation! It’s packed with colorful veggies and reheats really well.

This easy Ground Beef Stir Fry recipe is perfect for a weeknight!

With grocery prices going up and up, steak isn’t something that we buy very often. Ground beef is more affordable, but what can you do with it besides tacos, spaghetti and burgers?

Turns out, ground beef stir fry with rice is a delicious way to prepare this standby weeknight protein.

While stir fry is usually made with sliced steak or chicken, I actually kind of prefer it with ground meat! The little bits of meat get crispy and delicious, and it makes a really nice bite when served with rice.

Stir Fry Ground Beef Recipe Ingredients

• ground beef – you’ll need one pound of ground beef for this recipe. Ground round, ground sirloin or ground chuck are all good options, depending on what fat content you are comfortable with.
• carrots – vibrant and crisp, carrots add bright color and flavor to this dish.
• onion – I like yellow onion for its subtle sweetness, but white onion or red onion work here, too.
• red pepper – to add sweetness, crunch and color.
• broccoli – adds lot of fiber and fresh green color!
• garlic – adds a robust savory flavor to the dish.
• beef broth – the backbone of the sauce.
• soy sauce – adds umami, depth and complexity to the sauce.
• ginger – adds a zingy, slightly spicy note that pairs so well with the rich beef.
• sesame oil – imparts an indulgent nutty flavor into the sauce.
• sriracha – offers a little touch of heat to the sauce. You can add or reduce the amount to suit your tastebuds.
• cornstarch – the thickening agent that creates a glossy stir fry sauce that coats each ingredient perfectly.
• black pepper – adds some subtle spice without being overpowering.
• rice – for serving your stir fry masterpiece on top of.
• sesame seeds – a pretty garnish that adds a delightful little crunch.

Ground Beef Stir Fry Variations and substitutions

• MEAT – try this recipe with ground chicken, turkey or pork instead of ground beef.
• BROTH – if you do end up changing the meat to a poultry like chicken or turkey, you might want to use chicken broth for the sauce instead of beef broth.
• VEGGIES – use whatever vegetables you like best. Snap peas, snow peas, cauliflower, green peppers and so many other veggies are all great substitutes for any of the vegetables in this recipe.

How to make Stir Fry with Ground Beef

1. Whisk together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry in a small bowl.
2. Whisk together the sauce using the broth, garlic, soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, sriracha and black pepper.
3. Cook the ground beef in a wok or large skillet until it’s cooked through and then transfer the beef to a plate.
4. Add a bit of broth to the skillet to scrape up the crusty bits.
5. Add the veggies to the skillet and cook until they just start to get tender.
6. Add the beef back to the skillet along with the sauce and heat it to simmering. Add the cornstarch slurry and cook a few minutes longer until the sauce thickens.
7. Serve the stir fry over rice, and sprinkle it with sesame seeds!

Ground Beef Stir Fry with Rice and Other Serving Suggestions

I like to serve this dish over rice. White or brown rice is a great option. Or take it to the next level by also making vegetarian kimchi fried rice.

But, usually I just end up using a microwave pouch because it’s so fast and easy.

Quinoa is another great option if you’d prefer that instead of rice.

You could also serve this stir fry over lo mein noodles, or even inside lettuce wraps!

Storing Ground Beef Stir Fry

Store any leftover stir fry with ground beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator or up to three days.

Reheating Ground Beef Stir Fry with Rice

To reheat, I recommend adding a splash of broth or water and reheating in either in a skillet or the microwave until warmed through.