Picture this: it’s a hectic weeknight, you’re absolutely knackered, and the idea of spending hours in the kitchen is the last thing on your mind. We’ve all been there. You’re craving something hearty, flavourful, and satisfying, but the thought of a takeaway just doesn’t sit right. What if we told you that you could have a sensational, restaurant-quality meal on the table in under 30 minutes? Enter our incredible Spicy Ground Beef Stir Fry Bowl.

This isn’t just another quick meal; it’s a vibrant explosion of taste and texture in a single, comforting bowl. We’re talking savoury, juicy beef mince, stir-fried with a rainbow of crisp veggies and coated in a glorious sweet and spicy sauce that will have you scraping the bowl clean. The aromatic punch of fresh garlic and ginger ties everything together, creating a dish that’s both incredibly simple and deeply satisfying. It’s the perfect harmony of heat, sweetness, and umami.

Whether you’re a busy professional looking for a speedy dinner, a parent trying to get more veggies into the family, or a student on a budget, this recipe is for you. It’s endlessly customisable, brilliant for meal prep, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. So, let’s ditch the delivery apps and get ready to create a new weeknight favourite that you’ll return to again and again.

Recipe Overview

This Spicy Ground Beef Stir Fry Bowl is a speedy, Asian-inspired dish that packs a serious flavour punch. It combines the convenience of beef mince (ground beef) with a dynamic, easy-to-make sauce and crisp, fresh veggies. The flavour profile is a beautiful balance of savoury soy, sweet honey, a kick of spicy sriracha, and fragrant garlic and ginger. It’s designed to be a straightforward recipe, perfect for cooks of all levels, delivering impressive results with minimal fuss.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Servings: 4 people
• Difficulty: Easy

Why You’ll Love This Spicy Ground Beef Stir Fry Bowl

• Incredible Flavour: The sauce is the star here! We’ve perfected the balance of salty, sweet, and spicy. The rich umami from the soy sauce, the gentle sweetness from honey, and the customisable heat from sriracha create a sauce that beautifully coats every single ingredient.
• Quick & Easy: This is the ultimate 30-minute meal. Using beef mince means no lengthy chopping of meat, and the whole dish comes together in one pan, making cleanup an absolute breeze.
• Versatile: This recipe is a fantastic template. You can swap the beef for chicken or pork mince, or use a plant-based alternative. Throw in any veggies lingering in your fridge – it’s a brilliant way to use up produce. If you love versatile bowl recipes, you should also try our Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls.
• Perfect For Meal Prep: This dish is a dream for meal prep. It reheats beautifully, making it ideal for packing up for work lunches throughout the week. The flavours even seem to meld and get better overnight.
• A Healthy Crowd-Pleaser: It’s packed with protein and colourful veggies, making it a well-rounded and nutritious meal that the whole family will love. You control the spice, salt, and sugar, so it’s far healthier than a takeaway.

Spicy Ground Beef Stir Fry Bowl

⏱️ 15 min prep  •  🍳 20 min cook  •  👥 4 servings

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Ingredients You’ll Need

We recommend using good-quality lean beef mince for the best texture and flavour, and the freshest veggies you can find for that perfect crunch. Most of these ingredients are pantry staples or easily found at your local supermarket.

• For the Stir Fry:
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 500g lean beef mince
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 bell peppers (we like one red and one yellow for colour), deseeded and sliced
• 1 head of broccoli, cut into small, bite-sized florets
• 4 cloves of garlic, finely minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (about a 1-inch piece)
• For the Spicy Sauce:
• 80ml low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1-2 tbsp sriracha (or other chilli sauce, adjust to your heat preference)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp cornflour (cornstarch)
• For Serving (Optional):
• Cooked rice (jasmine or basmati work well)
• 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• Fresh red chilli, sliced

Pro Tip: For the most flavourful sauce, use low-sodium soy sauce. It allows you to control the saltiness of the final dish while still providing that essential umami depth. Full-sodium soy sauce can sometimes be overpowering.

How to Make Spicy Ground Beef Stir Fry Bowl

The secret to a great stir fry is having everything prepped and ready before you start cooking – a process known as ‘mise en place’. The cooking itself happens very quickly, so get your veggies chopped and your sauce mixed first!

1. Prepare the Sauce and Veggies: In a small bowl or jug, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: the soy sauce, honey, sriracha, rice vinegar, and cornflour. Whisk until the cornflour is fully dissolved and the sauce is smooth. Set aside. Ensure all your vegetables, garlic, and ginger are chopped and ready to go.
2. Brown the Beef Mince: Place a large wok or a deep frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the sesame oil. Once it’s shimmering, add the beef mince. Cook for 5-7 minutes, using a wooden spoon to break it up into small pieces. Continue cooking until it’s nicely browned and no pink remains.
3. Drain and Sauté the Aromatics: If your beef has released a lot of fat, carefully tilt the pan and spoon most of it out. Push the browned beef to one side of the pan. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the empty space and fry for 30-60 seconds until wonderfully fragrant. Then, stir them into the beef.
4. Cook the Hardy Veggies: Add the sliced onion and broccoli florets to the pan with the beef. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes. The onion should soften, and the broccoli should turn a vibrant green and become slightly tender.
5. Add the Peppers: Now, add the sliced bell peppers to the pan. Continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes. We want the peppers to be tender but still retain a slight crunch for texture.
6. Pour Over the Sauce: Give your prepared sauce a final quick stir (the cornflour can settle at the bottom) and pour it all over the beef and veggies in the pan. Stir everything together immediately to ensure everything is evenly coated.
7. Thicken and Simmer: Bring the sauce to a gentle bubble. Continue to stir for 1-2 minutes as the sauce thickens. Thanks to the cornflour, it will transform into a beautiful, glossy glaze that clings to every ingredient. This is the magic moment!
8. Serve and Garnish: Once the sauce has thickened, remove the pan from the heat. To serve, spoon a generous portion of fluffy rice into each bowl and top with the Spicy Ground Beef Stir Fry Bowl mixture. Garnish with a sprinkle of sliced spring onions, toasted sesame seeds, and a few slices of fresh chilli for an extra kick.

Expert Tips for Perfect Results

• Temperature Matters: The key to a great stir fry, according to experts at Serious Eats, is maintaining a high heat. Ensure your wok or pan is properly hot before adding ingredients. This sears the food quickly, locking in flavour and moisture, and preventing the veggies from becoming soggy.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: It can be tempting to throw everything in at once, but this will lower the pan’s temperature and cause your ingredients to steam rather than fry. If you’re doubling the recipe, it’s better to cook the beef and veggies in batches.
• Make It Ahead: To make this meal even faster, you can do all the prep work in advance. Chop all your vegetables and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also mix the sauce and keep it in a sealed jar. When it’s time to cook, you’re ready to go!
• Storage Savvy: Leftovers are a delight! Allow the stir fry to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making for a perfect, quick lunch.

Delicious Variations to Try

One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Here are a few of our favourite ways to switch things up:

• Change the Protein: This recipe works brilliantly with ground turkey, chicken, or even pork mince. For a vegetarian option, use crumbled firm tofu, Quorn mince, or a tin of lentils (drained).
• Add More Veggies: Clean out the crisper drawer! Mushrooms, mangetout, baby corn, shredded cabbage, or carrots are all fantastic additions. Add them according to their cooking time – harder veg first, softer ones later.
• Low-Carb Option: For a lighter, low-carb meal, skip the rice. Serve the spicy beef stir fry over a bed of cauliflower rice, courgette noodles (zoodles), or a simple green salad. It’s a flavourful and satisfying keto-friendly meal. For more inspiration, take a look at our popular Low Carb Chicken Casserole.
• Add Some Nuts: For extra texture and flavour, try sprinkling some cashew nuts or peanuts over the top just before serving.

What to Serve With Spicy Ground Beef Stir Fry Bowl

This dish is a fantastic all-in-one meal, but a few simple additions can elevate it even further.

• Rice or Noodles: Fluffy jasmine or basmati rice is the perfect vessel for soaking up that delicious sauce. For a change, try serving it over cooked egg noodles or rice noodles.
• Steamed Greens: A side of simple steamed pak choi drizzled with a little sesame oil complements the rich flavours of the stir fry perfectly.
• A Refreshing Drink: The spicy and savoury notes pair beautifully with a cold, crisp lager or a slightly off-dry Riesling wine, which helps to balance the heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spicy Ground Beef Stir Fry Bowl

A quick and flavorful weeknight meal featuring browned ground beef and colorful vegetables tossed in a savory, sweet, and spicy sauce. Perfect served over a bed of fluffy rice.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• For the Stir Fry:
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 500 g lean beef mince
• 1 large onion thinly sliced
• 2 bell peppers we like one red and one yellow for colour, deseeded and sliced
• 1 head of broccoli cut into small, bite-sized florets
• 4 cloves of garlic finely minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated (about a 1-inch piece)
• For the Spicy Sauce:
• 80 ml low-sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1-2 tbsp sriracha or other chilli sauce, adjust to your heat preference
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp cornflour cornstarch
• For Serving Optional:
• Cooked rice jasmine or basmati work well
• 2 spring onions thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Method

 

1. Prepare the Sauce and Veggies: In a small bowl or jug, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: the soy sauce, honey, sriracha, rice vinegar, and cornflour. Whisk until the cornflour is fully dissolved and the sauce is smooth. Set aside. Ensure all your vegetables, garlic, and ginger are chopped and ready to go.
2. Brown the Beef Mince: Place a large wok or a deep frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the sesame oil. Once it's shimmering, add the beef mince. Cook for 5-7 minutes, using a wooden spoon to break it up into small pieces. Continue cooking until it's nicely browned and no pink remains.
3. Drain and Sauté the Aromatics: If your beef has released a lot of fat, carefully tilt the pan and spoon most of it out. Push the browned beef to one side of the pan. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the empty space and fry for 30-60 seconds until wonderfully fragrant. Then, stir them into the beef.
4. Cook the Hardy Veggies: Add the sliced onion and broccoli florets to the pan with the beef. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes. The onion should soften, and the broccoli should turn a vibrant green and become slightly tender.
5. Add the Peppers: Now, add the sliced bell peppers to the pan. Continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes. We want the peppers to be tender but still retain a slight crunch for texture.
6. Pour Over the Sauce: Give your prepared sauce a final quick stir (the cornflour can settle at the bottom) and pour it all over the beef and veggies in the pan. Stir everything together immediately to ensure everything is evenly coated.
7. Thicken and Simmer: Bring the sauce to a gentle bubble. Continue to stir for 1-2 minutes as the sauce thickens. Thanks to the cornflour, it will transform into a beautiful, glossy glaze that clings to every ingredient. This is the magic moment!
8. Serve and Garnish: Once the sauce has thickened, remove the pan from the heat. To serve, spoon a generous portion of fluffy rice into each bowl and top with the Spicy Ground Beef Stir Fry Bowl mixture. Garnish with a sprinkle of sliced spring onions, toasted sesame seeds, and a few slices of fresh chilli for an extra kick.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheats well in the microwave or on the stovetop.

And there you have it – a vibrant, flavour-packed Spicy Ground Beef Stir Fry Bowl that’s poised to become your new weeknight hero. It’s proof that you don’t need a lot of time or complicated ingredients to create a meal that is genuinely exciting and delicious. It’s fast, flexible, and far more satisfying than any takeaway. We truly hope you love making and eating this dish as much as we do. If you give it a try, please drop a comment below to let us know how it turned out – we always love hearing from you!