Description
A quick and flavorful ground beef stir fry packed with vibrant vegetables and a savory hoisin-based sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish showcases tender beef, crisp-tender broccoli, mushrooms, bell peppers, and carrots all cooked in a delicious, thickened sauce. Serve it over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal that comes together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Fats
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables
- 1/2 medium onion, cut into bite-size pieces
- 5 ounces cremini mushrooms, quartered
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cups broccoli florets, cut small
- 1/2 cup matchstick-cut carrots
Sauce & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Chopped scallions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients and Sauce: Gather and prep all vegetables by chopping and cutting them as directed. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, grated ginger, minced garlic, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, beef broth, and cornstarch to create the stir fry sauce.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked through, approximately 10 minutes. Make sure the beef is no longer pink.
- Drain Fat and Set Beef Aside: Carefully drain any excess fat from the skillet. Transfer the cooked beef to a plate or bowl and set aside temporarily.
- Sauté Onions: Return the skillet to the heat and add the olive oil. Add the chopped onions and sauté for about one minute until slightly softened.
- Cook Vegetables: Add mushrooms, red bell pepper, broccoli florets, and matchstick carrots to the skillet. Stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables become tender-crisp. Continue cooking longer if you prefer softer vegetables.
- Combine Beef and Sauce: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and stir well. Allow the sauce to come to a gentle boil and thicken for about 1 to 2 minutes while stirring to evenly coat the beef and vegetables.
- Season and Serve: Taste the stir fry and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately over cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds if desired for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and improve texture.
- Vegetables can be varied depending on preference; snap peas or zucchini work well too.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, increase cornstarch to 1.5 tablespoons.
- Serve hot over steamed white rice, brown rice, or your favorite noodles.
- For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- Keep stirring after adding sauce to avoid clumping.
