Description
This flavorful stir fry with ground beef combines tender beef with crisp vegetables in a savory, slightly spicy sauce. Perfect for a quick and wholesome weeknight dinner, it’s served over rice and garnished with sesame seeds for added texture and nuttiness.
Ingredients
For the Sauce and Thickener
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 1/4 cups beef broth (divided)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons sriracha or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Stir Fry
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 medium carrots (peeled and thinly sliced)
- 1 medium yellow onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 small broccoli crown (cut into small florets, about 1½ cups)
For Serving
- 2 cups prepared white or brown rice
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cornstarch Slurry and Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. In a medium bowl, combine the minced garlic, 1 cup beef broth, soy sauce, minced ginger, sesame oil, sriracha, and black pepper. Whisk well to create the sauce mixture.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a very large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it up with the side of a spoon as it cooks, until it is fully cooked through and no longer pink. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked beef to a plate, leaving any rendered fat in the skillet.
- Deglaze the Skillet: Pour the remaining 1/4 cup beef broth into the skillet. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the bottom and sides of the skillet to lift any crusty bits of beef that have stuck, which adds flavor to the dish. You can leave these bits in the skillet after scraping.
- Cook the Vegetables: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the sliced carrots, onion, red bell pepper, and broccoli florets to the skillet. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Then return the cooked beef and any accumulated juices on the plate back to the skillet.
- Simmer with Sauce and Thicken: Reduce heat to low and pour the soy sauce mixture into the skillet, bringing it to a simmer. Re-whisk the cornstarch slurry to ensure it is smooth, then slowly pour it into the skillet while stirring constantly. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and glazes the beef and vegetables evenly.
- Serve: Spoon the stir fry over prepared white or brown rice. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired and serve immediately for a tasty and balanced meal.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of sriracha to your preferred spice level.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce for a reduced salt version.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Make sure to cut vegetables uniformly for even cooking.
- The stir fry is best served immediately to maintain crisp vegetables and warm beef.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian