Sesame Ground Beef Stir Fry
This is one of those recipes that’s great for cleaning out the fridge or sneaking more veggies into your meal without really trying.
Equipment
- Large Skillet or Wok
- Cutting board & sharp knife
- Small mixing bowl
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula
- Measuring spoons & cups
Ingredients
For the Stir Fry:
- 1 lb ground beef preferably lean
- 2 cups green cabbage thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper sliced into thin strips
- 1 cup celery thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp ginger minced
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil or any neutral oil
For the Sesame Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium preferred
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Optional Garnishes:
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
- Red pepper flakes or chili oil
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
- Get everything chopped and ready before you start cooking.
- Thinly slice the cabbage, celery, and bell pepper.
- Mince the garlic and ginger.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water to make the sesame sauce. Set aside.
- Pro Tip:
- Keep your veggies similar in size so they cook evenly and stay crisp-tender.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
- Cook the beef first and drain excess fat if needed.
- Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
- Cook for about 6–8 minutes, until browned and fully cooked.
- If there’s too much grease, drain some of it out before the next step.
- Pro Tip:
- Don’t stir too much at first—let it sear to develop a deeper flavor.
Step 3: Add Aromatics
- Build flavor with garlic and ginger.
- Push the beef to one side of the pan.
- Add minced garlic and ginger to the empty side.
- Stir for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Mix everything together in the pan.
- Pro Tip:
- Add the aromatics after browning so they don’t burn—they cook fast!
Step 4: Toss in the Veggies
- Time to stir fry the vegetables until crisp-tender.
- Add the sliced cabbage, celery, and bell pepper to the skillet.
- Stir well to combine with the beef mixture.
- Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the veggies soften slightly but still have a bit of crunch.
- Pro Tip:
- Don’t overcook—the crunch gives this dish its signature stir fry vibe.
Step 5: Add the Sauce
- Coat everything in that rich, savory sesame sauce.
- Give the sauce a quick stir to re-mix the cornstarch.
- Pour it over the beef and veggies in the skillet.
- Stir everything together so the sauce evenly coats all ingredients.
- Let it cook for 2–3 more minutes, until the sauce thickens and clings to everything.
- Pro Tip:
- Whisk the sauce again right before pouring—cornstarch settles fast and needs to be evenly distributed to thicken properly.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
- Finish with toppings and get ready to eat.
- Remove from heat.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds, green onions, or a few chili flakes if you like a little heat.
- Serve hot over rice, noodles, or in lettuce cups for a lighter option.
- Pro Tip:
- Leftovers are even better the next day—store in an airtight container and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Notes
Nutritional Value (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 350–400 kcal
- Protein: 22–25g
- Carbohydrates: 15–20g
- Fat: 20–25g
- Fiber: 3–4g
- Sugar: 6–8g
- Sodium: 800–1000mg