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Spicy ground beef stir-fry bowl with colorful vegetables and steamed rice in white bowl

Spicy Ground Beef Stir-Fry Bowl with Garlic Veggies & Steamy Rice

Quick weeknight dinner featuring juicy ground beef in a sweet and spicy glaze, paired with garlic-sautéed vegetables and served over steamed rice. Ready in 30 minutes with bold, takeout-style flavor.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 540

Ingredients
  

  • 0.5 lb ground beef
  • 4 cloves garlic minced, divided (2 for beef, 2 for veggies)
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce divided (2 for beef, 1 for veggies)
  • 0.5 teaspoon chili flakes adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 0.5 red bell pepper sliced into strips
  • 0.5 zucchini thinly sliced
  • 0.5 cup mushrooms sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup steamed white rice jasmine or basmati recommended

Equipment

  • Non-stick skillet or wok
  • Separate pan for vegetables
  • Spatula
  • Rice cooker or pot with lid

Method
 

  1. Prepare all vegetables by washing and chopping. Mince 4 cloves of garlic total (2 for beef, 2 for veggies) and measure out all sauces and seasonings before starting to cook.
  2. In a skillet over medium-high heat (375-400°F), add sesame oil and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula, about 5-6 minutes until no pink remains.
  4. If using higher-fat beef and excess grease pools, carefully drain most of it off, leaving just enough to coat the pan.
  5. Stir in 2 tablespoons soy sauce, chili flakes, and brown sugar. Let simmer undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the beef in a sticky glaze that looks shiny. Remove from heat.
  6. In a separate pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and sauté remaining 2 cloves of minced garlic for 30 seconds.
  7. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes until they develop golden edges and release moisture.
  8. Add broccoli, zucchini, and red bell pepper. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender-crisp with vibrant color and still sizzling.
  9. Add remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce to vegetables and toss well to coat.
  10. To serve, place hot steamed rice into bowls. Arrange beef and vegetables on top, side by side or mixed together.
  11. Spoon any extra sauce from the beef pan over the bowl for added flavor. Serve immediately.

Notes

Store beef, vegetables, and rice separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Reheat components separately for best texture, adding a splash of water or soy sauce to prevent drying. For less heat, reduce chili flakes to 1/8 teaspoon. Beef can be frozen for up to 3 months; vegetables do not freeze well. Day-old rice works best for texture. Add a fried egg, sesame seeds, or chopped scallions for extra flavor.
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