Get ready to elevate your weeknight dinner with this Ground Beef Stir Fry recipe. Ground beef gets browned first, then a colourful mix of broccoli, carrots, zucchini, bell pepper and red onion goes into the same pan and simmers away in a garlic-ginger soy sauce until everything is glossy and coated. Spoon it over rice and finish it with a quick homemade spicy mayo, and boom, dinner is done!

This is the stir fry I make on nights I want something warm and saucy without pulling out ten different sauces from the back of the fridge. It’s fast, it’s mostly one pan, and the spicy mayo drizzle just takes it up ten notches. Want more weeknight dishes like this? Try my Big Mac Cabbage and Crispy Rice Bowls or Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry.

😍 Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Stir Fry

One pan, minimal cleanup: the beef, vegetables and sauce all cook in the same pan, so you’re not juggling a sink full of dishes after dinner.
Big flavour from simple ingredients: garlic, ginger, soy sauce and a splash of sriracha do all the work around here.
That spicy mayo drizzle: it’s creamy, it’s got a kick, and it turns a solid stir fry into one you’ll want on repeat.
Easy to customize: swap the protein, swap the grain, and it’s still delicious!

🥢 Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Ground Beef Stir Fry

Olive oil: just a little is needed to get the ground beef browning without sticking to the pan.
Sesame oil: used to sauté the vegetables and adds a toasty, nutty background note.
Ground beef: browned first and set aside so it doesn’t overcook while the vegetables sauté.
White rice: cooked ahead of time so it’s ready the moment the stir fry is done.
Broccoli: chopped into bite-sized pieces so it cooks evenly alongside the other vegetables.

Carrots: sliced thin so they soften in the same amount of time as the rest of the vegetables.
Zucchini: adds a soft bite and soaks up the garlic-ginger soy sauce nicely as it simmers.
Red bell pepper: brings natural sweetness and a pop of colour to the finished dish.
Red onion: sautéed alongside the other vegetables for a little sharpness that mellows as it cooks.
Green onions: sliced and scattered on top at the end for a fresh, sharp finish.
Sesame seeds: a simple garnish that adds a little crunch to every bite.

For the Garlic Ginger Soy Sauce:

Low sodium soy sauce: kept low sodium so you can control the saltiness as it simmers down.
Olive oil: helps the sauce come together and coats the beef and vegetables.
Sesame oil: deepens the toasty flavour running through the whole dish.
Rice wine vinegar: adds a light tang that balances out the soy sauce and brown sugar.
Sriracha: brings the heat, and you can use more or less depending on your spice tolerance.

Cornstarch and water: whisked together and stirred into the sauce so it thickens up as it simmers.
Garlic cloves: minced fresh for a sharp, aromatic base that mellows once it hits the hot pan.
Fresh ginger: minced and added alongside the garlic.
Brown sugar: just a touch to round out the saltiness of the soy sauce and the heat from the sriracha.
Sesame seeds: stirred right into the sauce for extra texture and a subtle nutty flavour throughout.

For the Spicy Mayo:

Mayonnaise: the creamy base that mellows out the heat from the sriracha.
Sriracha: whisked into the mayonnaise until fully combined for that signature spicy mayo kick.
Water: just a splash to thin the sauce out so it drizzles easily over the finished bowl.

✔ How To Make Ground Beef Stir Fry with Spicy Mayo

Prepare your vegetables: begin by chopping your broccoli, carrots, zucchini, bell pepper, and red onion into similar sized pieces. Set aside.

Fry the beef: add 1 tsp of olive oil to a large frying pan or wok and set to medium/high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until cooked. Using a slotted spoon, remove the ground beef from the pan and transfer to a bowl.

Fry the vegetables: next, add 1 tsp of sesame oil to the same frying pan you used to fry the ground beef and set to medium heat. Add the vegetables and allow to sauté for 6-8 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.

🤝 Sammy’s Tip for Ground Beef Stir Fry with Spicy Mayo

• Add a splash of water to the pan and cover with a lid. This will allow the steam to help cook the vegetables quicker.

Prepare the garlic ginger soy sauce: add all of the ingredients together in a small bowl, and whisk well.

Assemble: once the vegetables are cooked, return the ground beef back to the pan and pour over the garlic ginger soy sauce. Simmer on medium heat for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened and everything is mixed together well.

Prepare the spicy mayo: mix together the mayonnaise and hot sauce. Add a small splash of water to slightly thin out the sauce, making it easier to drizzle over the assembled bowl.

Serve: spoon the ground beef and vegetable mixture over your prepared rice, and finish with a drizzle of spicy mayo, sesame seeds and green onions.

🗒️ Variations

Protein swap: ground chicken or turkey both work well in place of ground beef if that’s what you have on hand.
Grain swap: try this over quinoa, udon, soba or rice noodles instead of white rice for a different base.
Extra heat: add an extra splash of sriracha to the garlic ginger soy sauce if you like things spicier.
More veggies: snap peas, mushrooms or baby corn would all be great additions if you want to bulk up the vegetable mix.

🗒️ Substitutions

Soy sauce: tamari works as a gluten-free swap if that’s a concern.
Rice wine vinegar: apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can be used in a pinch, though the flavour will be slightly sharper.
Sriracha: any hot sauce you like will work here, just adjust the amount based on how spicy it is.
Mayonnaise: a Japanese mayo like Kewpie makes the spicy mayo even creamier if you want to try it.

🍴 Leftovers? Lucky you.

Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, or warm it in a pan over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

🤔 FAQ’s

👩‍🍳 Hungry For More?

If you loved this Ground Beef Stir Fry recipe, then make sure to check out a few of my other recipes you may also love:

• Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
• Easy Beef Stroganoff
• Sticky Beef & Broccoli
• Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe
• Spicy Peanut Cucumber Salad
• Green Curry Dumpling Bake

💌 Let’s Stay Connected

Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest! If you do make this Ground Beef Stir Fry recipe (or any recipe of mine) don’t forget to leave a review.