Description
This Ground Beef Stir Fry is a quick, flavorful, and healthy meal featuring lean ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a savory homemade stir fry sauce. Perfect for a busy weeknight, this recipe combines tender beef with crisp peppers, broccoli, and onions cooked in a garlic-ginger soy sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions for added texture and taste.
Ingredients
Scale
For Stir Fry Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth, low sodium
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (Bragg liquid aminos recommended)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, maple syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 5 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
For Stir Fry:
- 1 pound ground beef, extra lean
- 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
- 2 large sweet bell peppers, coarsely chopped
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon oil, for frying
- 2 tablespoons green onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Stir Fry Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar (or maple syrup/honey), toasted sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger until fully combined and smooth. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the rest of the stir fry.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Preheat a large ceramic non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add 1/4 tablespoon of oil. Add the ground beef and cook for 6-7 minutes until fully cooked, stirring frequently and breaking the meat into small pieces for even cooking. Once cooked, transfer the ground beef to a medium bowl and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Return the skillet to high heat and add the remaining oil. Add the sliced onion, chopped bell peppers, and broccoli florets. Cook the vegetables for 3-4 minutes, stirring only a few times to allow them to become tender-crisp and retain some crunch (al dente).
- Combine Beef and Sauce: Add the cooked ground beef back into the skillet with the vegetables. Whisk the stir fry sauce once again to re-incorporate the cornstarch which may have settled. Pour the sauce into the skillet, stir to combine thoroughly, and bring the sauce to a boil. Let it cook for a few minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables evenly.
- Finish and Garnish: Turn off the heat. Garnish the stir fry with finely chopped green onions and sesame seeds to add freshness and a nutty flavor.
- Serve: Serve the ground beef stir fry hot over your choice of cooked rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
- Reheating: Reheat by simmering the stir fry on the stove with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out, stirring occasionally until heated through.
- Freezing: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
