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Quick Savory Ground Beef Fried Rice Recipe with Easy Sesame Ginger Sauce

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A quick and flavorful ground beef fried rice with a savory sesame ginger sauce, perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe balances juicy beef, fluffy rice, and a punchy sauce for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 3 cups cooked rice (day-old rice preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola or peanut oil can be used)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 green onions, sliced thinly (white and green parts separated)
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed (or fresh diced carrots and peas)
  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare your rice: If using fresh rice, spread it out on a baking sheet to cool and dry a bit—ideally, use leftover rice from the fridge.
  2. Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Set aside.
  3. Cook the eggs: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in your skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble gently until just set. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  4. Brown the ground beef: Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add ground beef, breaking it up with your spatula. Cook until nicely browned but still juicy, about 5-7 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Remove excess fat if needed, but don’t drain all the flavorful juices.
  5. Sauté aromatics: Push the beef to one side of the pan. Add grated ginger, minced garlic, and the white parts of the green onions to the empty side. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant—but don’t burn the garlic!
  6. Add vegetables: Stir in the thawed peas and carrots. Cook for another 2 minutes until heated through.
  7. Combine rice and sauce: Add the cooked rice to the pan. Use your spatula to gently break up any clumps. Pour the sauce over and toss everything together over medium heat. Let the rice sit without stirring for about a minute to get those sought-after crispy bits.
  8. Return eggs and green onions: Fold the scrambled eggs and the green parts of the green onions into the rice. Give everything one last gentle toss to combine.
  9. Final taste check: Taste and adjust seasoning with more soy sauce or black pepper if needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use day-old rice for best texture to avoid mushiness. Cook eggs separately to keep them tender and fluffy. Keep heat medium-high but avoid burning garlic or beef. Toasted sesame oil is key for flavor. Adjust soy sauce to taste to avoid oversalting. Leftovers reheat best in a skillet with a splash of water to maintain texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef fried rice, sesame ginger sauce, quick fried rice, easy dinner, weeknight meal, savory fried rice

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/quick-savory-ground-beef-fried-rice-recipe-with-easy-sesame-ginger-sauce/