The Story & Intro
Hi👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.
When life feels loud and the day runs long, I always come back to recipes like this Simple Ground Beef Stir Fry. I learned early that cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories, even on busy weeknights when everyone is tired and hungry.
This Simple Ground Beef Stir Fry reminds me of the meals I make when I want comfort without complication. No fancy ingredients. No long prep. Just a hot pan, familiar flavors, and that wonderful sizzling sound that tells me dinner is almost ready. I make this Simple Ground Beef Stir Fry when I want something quick but still homemade, nourishing, and full of heart.
In my kitchen, this Simple Ground Beef Stir Fry has become a little ritual. I tie my apron, pour a glass of water or wine, and let the smell of garlic and beef fill the room. That’s when I know everything will be okay.
Why I Love Making This Recipe
I love this recipe because it respects my time and still feeds my soul. I don’t always have hours to cook, but I always want to serve something warm and made with love.
This Simple Ground Beef Stir Fry is:
- Fast enough for busy evenings
- Flexible with whatever vegetables I have
- Comforting without feeling heavy
- Loved by adults and kids alike
Most of all, I love how forgiving it is. I can change the vegetables, adjust the sauce, or serve it over rice, noodles, or even lettuce cups. It never judges me, and it always delivers.
Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets
I believe simple ingredients shine when treated with care. Here’s what I use and why each one matters.
Ground Beef
I use lean ground beef, usually 85/15. It stays juicy without being greasy.
Vegetables
Bell peppers, onions, and carrots are my go-to. Sometimes I add broccoli or snap peas if they’re in my fridge.
Garlic & Ginger
Fresh garlic is non-negotiable for me. Ginger adds warmth and depth, even in small amounts.
Soy Sauce
This brings saltiness and umami. I often use low-sodium so I can control the seasoning.
Sesame Oil
Just a drizzle transforms everything. It smells like comfort to me.
Cornstarch
This thickens the sauce and gives that glossy stir-fry finish.
Little Secret:
I always prep everything before turning on the stove. Stir fry moves fast, and calm cooking starts with preparation.
How I Make It, Step by Step
I always start by heating my skillet until it’s hot but not smoking.
I add a small splash of oil and drop in the ground beef. I break it apart gently and let it brown properly. Browning equals flavor, and I never rush this step.
Once the beef cooks through, I remove excess grease but leave just enough for richness. I add chopped onion and cook until soft and slightly sweet.
Next comes garlic and ginger. I stir constantly because garlic deserves respect and burns easily.
Then I add the vegetables. I want them tender but still colorful and crisp.
In a small bowl, I whisk soy sauce, a little water, cornstarch, and sesame oil. I pour it into the pan and watch everything come together. The sauce thickens, coats the beef, and hugs every vegetable.
I taste, adjust seasoning, and smile because dinner is done.
How I Serve It at Home
Most nights, I serve this Simple Ground Beef Stir Fry over fluffy white rice. On lighter days, I use brown rice or cauliflower rice.
Sometimes I spoon it into bowls and top it with green onions or sesame seeds. When I want something fun, I serve it in lettuce cups and let everyone build their own.
No matter how I serve it, it always disappears fast.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, I warm it gently in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. The microwave works too, but I prefer the stove.
I often prep the vegetables ahead of time, which makes dinner come together in under 20 minutes.
100-Word Short Version
This Simple Ground Beef Stir Fry is my go-to weeknight comfort meal. I brown lean ground beef, sauté fresh vegetables, and toss everything in a savory soy-based sauce with garlic and sesame oil. It comes together quickly, uses simple ingredients, and tastes like a hug in a bowl. I serve it over rice, noodles, or in lettuce cups depending on the mood. It’s flexible, family-friendly, and perfect for busy days when I still want something homemade and full of love.
🧾 Recipe Card
⏱️ Time
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
👩🍳 Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart.
- Add onion and cook until softened.
- Stir in garlic and ginger and cook briefly.
- Add vegetables and cook until tender-crisp.
- Whisk soy sauce, water, cornstarch, and sesame oil.
- Pour sauce into skillet and simmer until thickened.
- Serve hot.
📝 Notes
Use any vegetables you love. Adjust soy sauce to taste.
🍽️ Nutrition
Approximate per serving:
Calories: 380
Protein: 28g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fat: 22g 💛
Simple Ground Beef Stir Fry
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This simple ground beef stir fry is my favorite quick and comforting dinner. Made with lean beef, fresh vegetables, garlic, and a savory soy-based sauce, it comes together fast and tastes like a homemade hug. Perfect for busy weeknights when you still want something warm, nourishing, and full of love.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Drain excess fat if needed and add sliced onion. Cook until softened.
- Stir in garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add bell pepper and carrots and cook until tender-crisp.
- In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, water, cornstarch, and sesame oil.
- Pour sauce into the skillet and simmer until thickened.
- Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve hot.
Notes
Feel free to swap vegetables based on what you have on hand. Broccoli, snap peas, or zucchini work beautifully. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat gently on the stove.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Conclusion
This Simple Ground Beef Stir Fry is one of those recipes that quietly saves dinner again and again. It reminds me why I cook to nourish, to comfort, and to gather the people I love around the table. From my heart and my kitchen to yours, I hope this recipe brings warmth to your home.