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Ground Beef Teriyaki Fry

Featured in Simple Beef Recipes That Work.

This speedy teriyaki stir fry combines juicy ground beef with crisp vegetables in a sweet, savory sauce. Great for meal prep or rushed evenings.
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Emily Watson
Updated on Mon, 24 Mar 2025 23:19:49 GMT
White rice topped with stir-fried meat, carrots, broccoli, green onions, and sesame seeds. Pin it
White rice topped with stir-fried meat, carrots, broccoli, green onions, and sesame seeds. | thefamilycooks.com

Need dinner on the table before the hungry questions start? My quick ground beef teriyaki is your solution. I whipped this up during one crazy week and now it's our go-to half-hour meal. The meat gets sticky and sweet while crunchy veggies bring brightness and texture. And don't even get me started on that DIY teriyaki sauce that makes everything taste incredible.

Why You'll Love This Dish

I'm thrilled with how this meal delivers such incredible taste in barely any time. The scratch-made sauce turns ordinary ground beef into something you'll crave again and again. And it works with everything - pile it on rice, tuck it into lettuce cups, or pack it for lunches all week.

Grab These Ingredients

  • Sesame Oil: A little splash gives that amazing nutty taste.
  • Ground Beef: The lean version stays moist without extra fat.
  • Broccoli: Go for fresh pieces but don't worry if you need to use frozen.
  • Carrots: Buying them already shredded saves tons of prep time.
  • Green Onions: They bring such bright flavor and pretty color.
  • Beef Broth: This creates a deep, meaty background flavor.
  • Soy Sauce: Choose low sodium so you're in charge of the saltiness.
  • Brown Sugar and Honey: Together they make that perfect sweet balance.
  • Fresh Ginger: Adds a zingy, bright kick to everything.
  • Garlic: Chopping it fresh really bumps up the flavor.
  • Corn Starch: This is what gives your sauce that perfect thickness.
  • Orange Zest: My sneaky addition that brings unexpected freshness.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Skip them if you want, but they add nice heat.

Cooking Steps

Step 1: Blend Your Sauce
I always start by combining that amazing sauce - throw in the soy, brown sugar, honey, ginger, garlic and everything else into one bowl. That cornstarch will work its thickening magic later on.
Step 2: Brown Your Meat
Heat up that pan with the nutty sesame oil. Cook the beef while breaking it into small bits until it's all done and crumbly.
Step 3: Toss In Veggies
Add those colorful veggies - broccoli, carrots and green onions. Cook them just enough to soften but keep their snap.
Step 4: Pour And Thicken
Dump that sauce all over and watch as it bubbles up and gets glossy. Keep everything moving until each piece gets coated in that shiny sauce.
Step 5: Dig In
Serve it however you want - over rice, in lettuce cups, anything goes. Top with extra green onions for freshness.

Tasty Twists

  • Switch Veggies: I often toss in whatever's about to go bad in my fridge like bell peppers.
  • Add Heat: A dash of sriracha gives it an awesome kick.
  • Different Sweeteners: Real maple syrup works great instead of honey.
  • Swap Meats: Ground chicken or turkey makes for a lighter version.
  • Skip Carbs: Crisp butter lettuce makes super tasty wraps.

Storage Smarts

  • In The Fridge: Stays yummy for about 4 days, great for planning ahead.
  • Freeze It: Lasts up to 3 months frozen, just let it thaw overnight.
  • Heating Tips: Add a tiny bit of broth when warming up to keep it juicy.

Pro Tricks

  • Go For Real: Actual ginger and garlic taste way better than powdered stuff.
  • Sauce Check: It should coat the back of your spoon when it's thick enough.
  • Cook Thoroughly: Be sure that beef isn't pink anywhere.
  • Adjust Spice: Go light on pepper flakes at first, you can always add more.
  • Sauce Lover: I sometimes make twice as much sauce because we can't get enough.

Complete Your Dinner

We usually dump this over steamy rice though cauliflower rice works for lighter meals. Putting it in crisp lettuce makes dinner more fun. A simple cucumber side adds freshness. And don't forget a sprinkle of sesame seeds and lime squeeze to brighten it all up.

A plate of rice topped with beef stir-fry, broccoli, carrots, and green onions, garnished with sesame seeds. Pin it
A plate of rice topped with beef stir-fry, broccoli, carrots, and green onions, garnished with sesame seeds. | thefamilycooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How can I tell if the ground beef is done cooking?
A meat thermometer is your best bet. Make sure the beef's center reads at least 160°F. Don’t trust the color alone—it’s not always accurate.
→ How do I make more teriyaki sauce?
Double the sauce ingredients to increase quantity. Slowly mix it in until you’re happy with the sauciness. Any extra can be stored for another meal.
→ What’s the lifespan of leftovers?
Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months to keep them fresher longer.
→ Are frozen veggies okay to use?
Yes, frozen broccoli or other vegetables work well here. Cook until they’re warmed and tender, adjusting time as needed.
→ Can this be used for meal preparation?
Absolutely. Make it early in the week, split it into portions, and you’ll have simple reheatable lunches or dinners ready to go.

Beef Teriyaki Stir Fry

A fast stir-fry of ground beef, vibrant veggies, and rich teriyaki sauce. Done in 30 minutes, ideal for prepping meals or quick dinners.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Beef

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Asian-Style Mix

Yield: 4 Servings (4 portions)

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1 pound ground beef.
02 1 cup broth made from beef.
03 ¼ cup soy sauce.
04 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar.
05 ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
06 ¼-½ teaspoon flakes of red pepper.
07 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped.
08 2 tablespoons of corn starch.
09 1 tablespoon grated orange peel.
10 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil.
11 1 cup thinly shredded carrots.
12 3 cups small broccoli pieces.
13 4-5 green onions, sliced up.
14 Sea salt according to taste.
15 2 tablespoons honey.
16 1 teaspoon ginger, finely grated or minced.

Instructions

Step 01

Combine soy sauce, broth, sugar, garlic, honey, orange peel, ginger, corn starch, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a bowl. Stir well and put on the side.

Step 02

Make sure to slice, chop, and prep all vegetables before cooking begins.

Step 03

Add sesame oil to a big skillet heated to medium-high. Cook the ground beef for about 6-8 minutes or until it reaches 160°F with a thermometer.

Step 04

Toss in the broccoli pieces, sliced green onions, and grated carrots. Keep cooking until they're soft and warmed up.

Step 05

Lower the heat, pour in the sauce you made earlier, and simmer until it thickens. Pairs perfectly with some rice to serve.

Notes

  1. Double up on the sauce if you like it extra saucy.
  2. Use a thermometer to make sure the meat's fully cooked.
  3. Perfect for prep-ahead meals—stays good in the fridge 3-4 days.

Tools You'll Need

  • Wok or big frying pan.
  • Thermometer for measuring meat temperature.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains soy from the soy sauce.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 358
  • Total Fat: 14 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 32 g
  • Protein: 28 g