Description
A quick and flavorful Ground Beef Stir Fry featuring tender zucchini, mushrooms, and julienned carrots tossed in a savory-sweet sauce made with soy, BBQ sauce, maple syrup, garlic, and ginger. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner served over rice or in lettuce cups.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Ground Beef Stir Fry
- 1 pound 80-20 ground beef
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced
- 8 ounces brown mushrooms or baby Bella, sliced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- Chives or green onions, optional for garnish
For the Sauce
- 3 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (GF Tamari recommended)
- 3 Tbsp BBQ sauce (original, sweet or smoky)
- 2 Tbsp real maple syrup
- 2 garlic cloves, grated or minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated (or 1 cube frozen ginger or 1/4 tsp ground ginger)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine all of the sauce ingredients (soy sauce, BBQ sauce, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil) and set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the ground beef and sauté, breaking it up with a spatula, for about 5 minutes or until fully cooked through and lightly browned. This browning builds flavor. Transfer the beef to a bowl, keeping any rendered fat or oil in the pan.
- Sauté the Veggies: Add a little more oil to the same skillet if needed, then add zucchini, mushrooms, and julienned carrot. Sauté and stir frequently for 2-3 minutes until the zucchini is half-cooked and still crunchy, avoiding overcooking to prevent mushiness as they will continue cooking with the sauce.
- Add the Ground Beef and Sauce: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Pour in the prepared sauce and stir to combine. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dish is fragrant and the garlic and ginger are lightly cooked. The vegetables should remain crisp-tender.
- Season and Serve: Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, remove from heat. Serve the stir fry hot over freshly cooked rice or inside lettuce cups. Garnish with chopped chives or green onions if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute any vegetables of your choice such as bell peppers or snap peas.
- Use gluten-free tamari to keep the dish gluten-free.
- For a lower-calorie option, use lean ground beef or ground turkey.
- Adjust the sweetness of the sauce by varying the amount of maple syrup or BBQ sauce.
- Serve with rice, quinoa, or as a filling for lettuce wraps for a versatile meal option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ground beef stir fry, quick stir fry recipe, easy beef and veggie stir fry, gluten free dinner, healthy stir fry
