Ground Beef Stir Fry (with Video)

This easy Ground Beef Stir Fry recipe is the easiest one-pan meal you’ll make. The ground beef makes it even easier than other stir fries, but it’s still loaded with fresh veggies and the best stir fry sauce that I learned from a chef. You’ll love the authentic taste, and you’ll make this recipe over and over because it’s way better than takeout!
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Ground Beef Stir Fry Video This ground beef stir fry recipe comes together with just a few steps and in only one pot. Watch me make this filling meal with fresh veggies and the amazing Stir Fry sauce.
Easy Stir-Fry Recipe with Ground BeefI learned this ground beef stir fry recipe from a glamping trip I went on years ago. The lead BBQ guy was making this amazing hibachi stir fry. The sauce was so savory and delicious, and when I asked him about it, he said it’s just 3 ingredients: soy sauce, BBQ sauce, and maple syrup!
Well, that surprised me, but it was so flavorful and satisfying that I didn’t lose any time recreating it at home. I added a bit of garlic, ginger, and sesame oil for that authentic Asian stir-fry flavor, and this easy stir-fry sauce was born.
When I’m in a rush for dinner, I love making stir fry, like my Beef Stir Fry, Chicken Stir Fry, and Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry, since it’s full of good-for-you vegetables and protein for a well-rounded dinner. It’s a whole meal on the table in 20 minutes and only using one pan for super easy clean up. And what is easier than ground beef? Add the sauce, and this meal will knock your socks off (Also, I’m curious who made up that saying – probably someone with a wonderful imagination – now you’re all seeing your socks fly off – ha!).
Ingredients for Ground Beef Stir FryThe ingredients for making stir fry are simple, and it’s easy to swap the veggies and protein to use what you have on hand. See some of my recommendations below.

Ground beef – I use 80/20 ground beef (often referred to as lean ground beef) for great flavor and moisture. You can swap it with any percentage of ground beef, but you might need to add more oil with leaner beef.

Veggies – sliced zucchini, sliced baby mushrooms (baby bella), and 1 carrot cut into thin matchsticks (or julienned), and chives/green onions to garnish. Easy Stir-Fry Sauce Ingredients

Soy Sauce – Use low-sodium soy sauce to keep the sodium level of the dish in check. I used gluten-free Tamari. Regular soy sauce will work, but you probably won’t need any extra salt at the end.

BBQ sauce – you can use Homemade BBQ Sauce or store-bought original, sweet, or smoky varieties

Real maple syrup – this gives sweetness without making it overly sweet. Swap with honey for a different flavor or brown sugar in a pinch. These options are sweeter, so add to taste.

Aromatics – minced garlic, fresh ginger (or frozen), and sesame oil (this is part of getting that authentic taste!) Stir Fry Variations Stir fry is so versatile! Make this recipe your own by swapping it with the ingredients you have on hand. Here are some of the options:

Protein – swap the ground beef with ground pork, ground chicken or ground turkey.

Veggies – Use whatever you have on hand or whatever you like best, like chopped asparagus, green or red bell peppers, yellow onions, baby corn, broccoli, or water chestnuts

Add heat – Stir in red pepper flakes to taste How to Quick-Thaw Ground BeefThis year, we purchased ground beef in bulk, so most of the meat we use is frozen. If you forget to put the meat in the refrigerator to thaw overnight, here’s the best way to quick-thaw ground beef:
In Cold Water – Put the frozen meat in a zip-top bag and squeeze the air out as you zip. Place in a bowl of cold water, changing the water out for cold water every 30 min. For 1 lb of ground beef, it will take about 1 to 2 hours to thaw, depending on the shape of the ground beef (a flatter package will thaw faster). Be sure to keep it fully submerged and don’t use warm water, since this encourages bacterial growth.
How to Make Ground Beef Stir-FryThis simple recipe comes together fast, so prep all your ingredients before beginning so they are ready when you need to add them. If you’re serving with white rice, begin cooking it before you begin step 1. You want the rice ready as the stir fry is ready.

Mix the Sauce– Add all the sauce ingredients to a bowl and stir. 

Brown the beef in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the meat is browned, set it aside in a bowl while you cook the veggies.

Saute the veggies in the same hot pan, adding oil if needed. Stir frequently for about 3 minutes until the veggies are tender-crisp – they should only be halfway cooked at this point and will cook more in the sauce – you don’t want them to become mushy.

Add the ground beef and sauce to the veggies and stir. Turn to coat the mixture with sauce and cook for 2 minutes more until the sauce thickens slightly and heats through. You should smell the ginger and garlic when ready.

Season with salt and pepper if needed and garnish with chives to serve. Make-Ahead and Storage TipsThis Ground Beef Stir Fry comes together quickly and it looks and tastes best fresh but leftovers still taste great. Be sure to cool the mixture before storing it in the fridge or freezer.

Make-Ahead: For meal prepping, make the stir fry according to the directions, but undercook the veggies slightly. Then separate into servings and store as below.

To Refrigerate: pack in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freezing: I don’t love freezing this because zucchini tends to get mushy after freezing, but you can freeze in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Then thaw overnight in the fridge.

To Reheat: Place leftovers in a hot skillet and reheat. You can also microwave until warmed through. Add chicken stock or water to thin the sauce if needed. How to Serve Ground Beef Stir FryI love serving this ground beef stir fry over white rice to soak up all that delicious homemade stir fry sauce or I spoon it into lettuce leaves to make low-carb copycat lettuce wraps. Here are a few more side dishes that complement the ground beef stir fry:

Cauliflower rice

Quinoa

Spaghetti Squash

Lettuce Cups (as we did in our Chicken Lettuce Wraps)

In Crisp Taco Shells

With Noodles – ramen, udon, or rice noodlesGround Beef Stir Fry is an easy one-pot, 20-minute meal with one very surprising ingredient: BBQ Sauce (but no one would guess it’s there)! You’ll love how this unexpected ingredient makes the sauce truly fantastic! This recipe is a filling crowd-pleaser that’s great for quick meals and meal prep. Try this easy recipe for your next weeknight meal.


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