Name: Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 1 pound 90/10 ground beef; ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger; 1 cup frozen peas; Cooked rice, for serving (optional)

There’s just something so comforting about the sweet, savory, and slightly zingy flavors of this Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe. It’s like a warm hug on a busy night—quick to make, full of cozy flavor, and one of those dishes that never gets old in my kitchen.

This image shows a white bowl filled with two layers of food. The bottom layer is white rice with soft, fluffy grains spread evenly across the bowl. On top is a mix of small brown cooked ground meat pieces and bright green peas scattered throughout. The colors contrast well with the bright white rice, and the texture of the meat looks crumbly while the peas look smooth and round. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first stumbled upon this Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe when I was craving something quick but memorable. It’s an absolute winner for weeknight dinners when you want maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile and forgiving, which is always a win.

Quick and Easy: The entire dish comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings.
Flavor-packed: Fresh ginger and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar make this more than just ground beef.
Family-friendly: Both adults and kids tend to love this stir-fry, which means less stress at dinner time.
Versatile Serving Options: It’s delicious over rice, noodles, or even lettuce wraps for a lighter take.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe nails the magic balance of savory, sweet, and fresh. Each ingredient plays a role in creating a dish that’s both comforting and lively. When shopping, look for fresh ginger and good-quality ground beef for the best results—it really shines through.

Flat lay of fresh raw ground beef shaped into a neat mound, a small white bowl filled with rich dark soy sauce, a small white bowl with golden brown sugar crystals, a small white bowl containing finely minced pale yellow fresh ginger, a small white bowl heaped with bright green frozen peas, all arranged symmetrically with perfect proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ground Beef: I prefer 90/10 for just the right amount of fat that keeps the beef juicy without greasiness.
Soy Sauce or Tamari: Low sodium versions help you control saltiness while adding depth.
Brown Sugar: Just enough for a touch of sweetness to balance the soy and ginger.
Fresh Ginger: The star of the show, adding that warm, zingy kick that lifts the entire dish.
Frozen Peas: They add color, texture, and a sweet pop that pairs beautifully with savory beef.
Water: Helps create a nice sauce base without making it watery—don’t skip.
Cooked Rice (optional): Classic pairing that soaks up the flavors perfectly.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe depending on what’s in the fridge or my mood. You can easily add your favorite veggies or adjust the sweetness and heat levels to suit your taste.

Vegetable Boost: I often throw in shredded carrots or chopped bell peppers for extra crunch and nutrition—it livens up the texture beautifully.
Spice It Up: Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil really kicks the flavor up a notch when I want it bolder.
Alternative Proteins: Tried it with ground turkey or chicken? Works great too, just adjust cooking time accordingly.
Lower Carb Option: Serve it over cauliflower rice or inside lettuce cups for a lighter, refreshing feel.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe

The dish is served in a round white bowl with a brown rim, placed on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is plain white rice, with fluffy and separated grains. On top of the rice, there is a thick layer of brown cooked ground meat mixed with bright green peas spread evenly. A fork is partly resting inside the bowl on the right side, and some peas have spilled a little outside the bowl. A gray checkered cloth is seen at the bottom left edge of the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sauté the Beef with Ginger Bliss

Heat a large skillet over medium-high and add your ground beef along with the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, and freshly minced ginger. As it cooks, I break the beef up with a wooden spoon—this helps it brown evenly. Keep an eye on the pan so it doesn’t dry out or burn the sugar. After about 8 minutes, you’ll see the beef nicely browned and fragrant with ginger.

Step 2: Add the Peas and Simmer Till Perfect

Stir in the frozen peas and let everything cook together for about 5 more minutes. Most of the liquid will evaporate, leaving a glossy, slightly sticky coating on the beef and peas. This step locks in the flavors and ensures your stir-fry isn't watery—a tip I learned after a few trial runs!

Step 3: Serve and Enjoy!

I serve mine piping hot over a bowl of steamed rice, but feel free to enjoy this dish on its own or with your favorite sides. The combination of ginger and sweetened soy sauce makes every spoonful feel like a little celebration.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks that really elevate this Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe. These simple tips helped me avoid the most common pitfalls and get the best texture and flavor every single time.

Don’t Skip the Water: Adding a bit of water helps the brown sugar dissolve evenly and creates a nice glaze instead of drying out the meat.
Fresh Ginger is Key: Powdered ginger just doesn’t give that bright zing—freshly minced ginger makes a huge difference.
Break Up the Meat Thoroughly: Using a wooden spoon to crumble the beef finely helps it cook uniformly and soak up the sauce.
Don’t Rush the Peas: Letting them simmer a few minutes with the beef softens them just right without losing their pop or color.

How to Serve Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe

gingery ground beef - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle chopped scallions and a few sesame seeds over the top for a little fresh crunch and nuttiness. Sometimes, a drizzle of toasted sesame oil right before serving amps up the aroma and richness nicely.

Side Dishes

This stir-fry pairs wonderfully with simple steamed jasmine rice or garlic fried rice if you want to feel fancy. I also like serving it alongside steamed broccoli or a crisp Asian slaw to brighten the meal up.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, I’ve served this Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry inside butter lettuce cups topped with crunchy peanuts and a squeeze of lime—instant appetizer party. Another favorite is layering it over noodles and garnishing with pickled ginger and shredded nori for a Japanese-inspired bowl.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to cool it thoroughly before refrigerating so the texture stays nice.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this stir-fry a couple of times, and it holds up well. Freeze in portion-sized containers, and when you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating—avoid microwaving from frozen to keep the texture spot on.

Reheating

My go-to method is reheating gently in a skillet over medium heat. Adding a splash of water or broth helps loosen the glaze if it’s thickened too much. This keeps the beef tender and the peas bright.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just swap regular soy sauce for tamari or another gluten-free soy sauce alternative to keep the flavor intact without gluten.

What can I use instead of ground beef in this recipe?

Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles all work well. Just adjust cooking times slightly and make sure to season as you would the beef for balanced flavor.

How do I prevent the beef from getting watery?

Make sure to cook the beef on medium-high heat to evaporate excess liquid. Avoid adding too much water beyond what the recipe recommends, and let the stir-fry cook down until the sauce thickens and coats the meat nicely.

Can I add other vegetables to this stir-fry?

Definitely! Bell peppers, shredded carrots, snap peas, or mushrooms all fit right in. Just add them during the last few minutes of cooking so they stay crisp and fresh.

Final Thoughts

This Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe holds a special place in my weeknight dinner lineup because it’s fast, flavorful, and just plain comforting. I hope you find as much joy in making and eating it as I do—there’s nothing quite like a simple stir-fry that feels both satisfying and a little special. Give it a go, and soon it might become your go-to, too!