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Ground Beef Stir Fry Recipe

4.4 from 86 reviews

This Ground Beef Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish featuring lean ground beef sautéed with fresh vegetables like celery, cabbage, and bell peppers, all tossed in a savory hoisin-soy sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it combines tender beef with crisp veggies and a luscious, thickened sauce served over steaming white rice or noodles.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein & Vegetables

  • 8 ounces lean ground beef
  • ½ cup finely diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • ½ cup sliced celery
  • ½ cup chopped green cabbage
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • ½ cup sliced water chestnuts (drained, optional)

Sauces & Oils

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Base

  • 4 cups cooked white rice (or noodles)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine beef broth, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and cornstarch. Stir well to blend and set aside.
  2. Cook beef and aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add lean ground beef and diced onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is no longer pink and the onion softens. Drain excess fat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for 2 more minutes until fragrant. Transfer the cooked beef mixture to a bowl and keep warm.
  3. Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, heat the olive oil. Add sliced celery and chopped cabbage; cook for 3 to 4 minutes until they begin to soften. Then add the sliced bell pepper and continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes until the peppers are slightly tender but still crisp.
  4. Combine and thicken sauce: Return the cooked beef mixture to the skillet along with the sliced water chestnuts if using. Pour in the prepared sauce mixture. Stir everything together and allow it to simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients well.
  5. Serve: Spoon the beef stir fry over cooked white rice or noodles. Optionally, garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added flavor and presentation.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce and verify hoisin sauce ingredients or substitute with a gluten-free alternative.
  • Water chestnuts add a crunchy texture but can be omitted if unavailable.
  • Adjust the amount of ginger and garlic to taste for spiciness and aroma.
  • This dish pairs well with steamed or stir-fried greens as a side.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Keywords: ground beef stir fry, beef stir fry recipe, quick stir fry, hoisin beef recipe, healthy stir fry