I’m always on the hunt for meals that check three very important boxes: easy to make, healthy, and something my whole household of guys will actually eat without complaint. This Ground Beef Stir Fry with Sweet & Spicy Sesame Sauce hits all the marks—and then some. It comes together in under 30 minutes, it’s packed with colorful veggies, and you can use organic or grass-fed beef to keep it clean and nourishing.

Easy Stir Fry Meal with Delicious Sesame Sauce

I love that this dish is endlessly customizable, so it’s perfect for clearing out the fridge (no more sad, forgotten veggies). The sauce? It’s the star of the show—sweet, spicy, and just sticky enough to coat everything beautifully. Plus, it reheats like a dream, making it a meal prep win for busy weeks.

Ground Beef Stir Fry with Sweet & Spicy Sesame Sauce

Yields: 4-6 servings
Prep: 15 minutes| Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Stir Fry

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 large carrot, cut into matchsticks (about 3/4 cup)
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced or quartered
• ½ large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas

For the Sweet & Spicy Sesame Sauce

• 3 tablespoons coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to spice preference)
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1½ tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

For Garnish:

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped scallions
• Optional: Extra red pepper flakes for heat

Directions:

1. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beef and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, add avocado oil and heat until shimmering. Add the bell pepper, carrot, broccoli, mushrooms, and onion. Sauté for about 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until veggies are crisp-tender. 
3. While veggies cook, whisk together all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
4. Add the cooked beef back into the skillet and toss with the veggies.
5. Add frozen peas and cook 1–2 minutes more until warmed through.
6. Pour the stir fry sauce into the skillet and stir immediately to coat everything evenly. The sauce will thicken quickly—about 30–60 seconds. Turn off heat once everything is glossy and coated.
7. Serve hot over cooked white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice. Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped scallions, and extra chili flakes for extra heat.

Notes:

• Honey or brown sugar are both great substitutes for maple syrup in this recipe.
• This is the ideal recipe to use up the veggies you have in your fridge! Swap or add in your preferred veggies. Zucchini, cabbage, or snap peas work well in this recipe.
• This is a great meal prep meal! Simply double the sauce and store the extra for a super quick stir fry later in the week.

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Yield: 6

Ground Beef Stir Fry with Sweet & Spicy Sesame Sauce

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This Ground Beef Stir Fry Sweet & Spicy Sesame Sauce is delicious! It's a quick and easy meal to make for dinner or meal prep.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Stir Fry

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 large carrot, cut into matchsticks (about 3/4 cup)
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced or quartered
• ½ large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas

For the Sweet & Spicy Sesame Sauce

• 3 tablespoons coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to spice preference)
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1½ tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

For Garnish:

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped scallions
• Optional: Extra red pepper flakes for heat

Instructions

1. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beef and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
   
2. In the same skillet, add avocado oil and heat until shimmering. Add the bell pepper, carrot, broccoli, mushrooms, and onion. Sauté for about 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until veggies are crisp-tender.
   
3. While veggies cook, whisk together all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
   
4. Add the cooked beef back into the skillet and toss with the veggies.
   
5. Add frozen peas and cook 1–2 minutes more until warmed through.
   
6. Pour the stir fry sauce into the skillet and stir immediately to coat everything evenly. The sauce will thicken quickly—about 30–60 seconds. Turn off heat once everything is glossy and coated.
   
7. Serve hot over cooked white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice. Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped scallions, and extra chili flakes for extra heat.

Notes

• Honey or brown sugar are both great substitutes for maple syrup in this recipe.
  
• This is a great recipe to use up the veggies you have in your fridge! Swap or add in your preferred veggies. Zucchini, cabbage, or snap peas work well in this recipe.
  
• This is a great meal prep meal! Simply double the sauce and store the extra for a super quick stir fry later in the week.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 350Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 240mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 4gSugar: 8gProtein: 24g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.

Try more of Lauren’s delicious and easy recipes like The Most Amazing and Easy Low Carb Cauliflower “Potato” Salad and This Tasty and Flavorful Lemon Asparagus Pasta Is So Easy to Make.

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