Spicy Ground Beef Stir-Fry with Veggies Recipe
This Easy Spicy Ground Beef Stir-Fry is a quick and flavorful dish combining savory ground beef with a mix of fresh garlic vegetables and steamy white rice. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe balances spice and sweetness while delivering a nutritious, satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
For the Beef
- 0.5 lb Ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Low-sodium soy sauce
- 0.5 tsp Chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp Sesame oil (for drizzling at the end)
- 1 tsp Brown sugar (can substitute with honey)
For the Veggies
- 1 cup Broccoli florets (blanch for 1 minute if preferred)
- 0.5 Red bell pepper, sliced
- 0.5 Zucchini, sliced
- 0.5 cup Mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Olive oil (can substitute with other oils)
- 1 tsp Light soy sauce
For the Base
- 1 cup Steamed white rice (rinse before cooking)
Instructions
- Cook the rice: Begin by preparing the steamed white rice using either a rice cooker or the stovetop method. Rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking to ensure fluffy, non-sticky grains.
- Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spatula.
- Infuse the spice: Push the cooked beef to one side of the skillet. Add minced garlic and chili flakes to the empty side, letting them cook and release their aroma for about 30 seconds.
- Deglaze: Pour in the low-sodium soy sauce and brown sugar (or honey). Stir to combine, allowing the flavors to meld and simmer for 1 minute to create a savory-sweet sauce.
- Remove the beef: Transfer the cooked beef mixture to a plate and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add broccoli florets, sliced red bell pepper, zucchini, sliced mushrooms, and minced garlic. Sauté until vegetables are tender-crisp, about 4-5 minutes. You may blanch the broccoli for 1 minute beforehand if preferred for extra tenderness.
- Finish strong: Return the beef to the skillet, drizzle with sesame oil and light soy sauce. Toss everything together gently to combine the flavors. Serve immediately over the steamed white rice.
Notes
- Adjust chili flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Blanching broccoli before sautéing results in a more tender texture.
- Substitute brown sugar with honey for a natural sweetness variation.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt content.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure soy sauce is tamari or labeled gluten-free.
