Quick & Easy Ground Beef Fried Rice: A Flavor-Packed Weeknight Meal

Ground beef fried rice is a fantastic, versatile dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. It’s quick to make, uses simple ingredients you likely already have on hand, and is incredibly satisfying. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover rice and any veggies lurking in your crisper drawer! This recipe provides a base for customization, allowing you to tailor it to your specific tastes and preferences. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, this ground beef fried rice recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

## Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Fried Rice Recipe

* **Quick and Easy:** From start to finish, this dish can be on your table in under 30 minutes.
* **Budget-Friendly:** Ground beef is often a more affordable protein option compared to other meats.
* **Versatile:** Easily adaptable to your preferred vegetables, sauces, and spice levels.
* **Family-Friendly:** A crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will enjoy.
* **Great for Leftovers:** Makes excellent leftovers for lunch the next day.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Ground Beef:** 1 pound, lean ground beef is recommended, but you can use regular if you prefer. Just drain off any excess grease after cooking.
* **Cooked Rice:** 3-4 cups, preferably day-old rice. Day-old rice is drier and holds its shape better when fried.
* **Onion:** 1 medium, chopped. Yellow or white onion works well.
* **Garlic:** 2-3 cloves, minced. Adds a crucial layer of flavor.
* **Vegetables:** 1 cup, mixed vegetables of your choice (carrots, peas, corn, bell peppers, broccoli, etc.). Frozen mixed vegetables are a convenient option.
* **Soy Sauce:** 3-4 tablespoons. Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness.
* **Sesame Oil:** 1 tablespoon. Adds a nutty and aromatic flavor.
* **Eggs:** 2 large, lightly beaten.
* **Green Onions:** 2-3, thinly sliced (for garnish).
* **Cooking Oil:** 1-2 tablespoons (vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil).
* **Optional Add-ins:**
* Ginger: 1 teaspoon, grated or minced.
* Red Pepper Flakes: To taste, for heat.
* Hoisin Sauce: 1-2 tablespoons, for added sweetness and depth.
* Oyster Sauce: 1 tablespoon, for a richer umami flavor.
* Sriracha: To taste, for extra spice.
* Cashews or Peanuts: For added crunch.
* Shrimp or Chicken: If you want to substitute or add another protein.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

1. **Prepare the Ingredients:** Chop the onion, mince the garlic, slice the green onions, and gather your other ingredients. Having everything prepped and ready to go will make the cooking process smoother and faster.

2. **Cook the Ground Beef:** Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.

3. **Add Aromatics and Vegetables:** Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked ground beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the onion is softened and fragrant. Then, add your chosen vegetables (fresh or frozen) and cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until they are tender-crisp.

4. **Scramble the Eggs (Optional Method 1 – Separate Pan):** If you prefer not to cook the eggs directly in the rice, heat a separate small skillet with a little oil. Pour in the beaten eggs and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are set but still slightly moist. Remove from the skillet and set aside. Roughly chop or tear the cooked eggs into smaller pieces.

5. **Scramble the Eggs (Optional Method 2 – In the Wok):** Push the ground beef and vegetable mixture to one side of the skillet or wok. Pour the beaten eggs into the empty space. Cook, stirring constantly, until the eggs are scrambled and cooked through. Break them up into small pieces with your spatula or spoon. Then, mix the scrambled eggs with the ground beef and vegetables.

6. **Add the Rice:** Add the cooked rice to the skillet with the ground beef, vegetables, and eggs. Break up any large clumps of rice with a spoon or spatula.

7. **Add the Sauces:** Pour in the soy sauce and sesame oil. If using, add hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, or sriracha at this point. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and coat the rice evenly with the sauce. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking.

8. **Fry the Rice:** Continue to cook the fried rice, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until the rice is heated through and slightly browned. This step is important for developing the characteristic fried rice flavor.

9. **Garnish and Serve:** Remove the fried rice from the heat and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve immediately. You can also add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra heat or chopped cashews or peanuts for added crunch.

## Tips for the Best Ground Beef Fried Rice

* **Use Day-Old Rice:** As mentioned earlier, day-old rice is the key to preventing soggy fried rice. The drier the rice, the better it will fry up. If you don’t have day-old rice, you can spread freshly cooked rice on a baking sheet and let it cool and dry out slightly before using.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Pan:** Cooking the fried rice in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding will lower the temperature of the pan and result in steamed, rather than fried, rice.
* **Use High Heat:** High heat is essential for achieving the slightly charred and smoky flavor that is characteristic of good fried rice. Make sure your skillet or wok is hot before adding the ingredients.
* **Stir Frequently:** Stir the fried rice frequently to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly cooked and coated with the sauce. This will also help to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
* **Adjust the Seasoning:** Taste the fried rice and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may need to add more soy sauce, sesame oil, or other sauces to achieve your desired flavor.
* **Get Creative with Vegetables:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different vegetables. Other great options include mushrooms, bean sprouts, water chestnuts, and snap peas.
* **Add Protein:** Besides ground beef, you can also add other proteins to your fried rice, such as shrimp, chicken, pork, or tofu.
* **Make it Vegetarian or Vegan:** To make this recipe vegetarian, simply omit the ground beef. To make it vegan, omit the ground beef and eggs and use a plant-based egg substitute or tofu.

## Variations on Ground Beef Fried Rice

* **Spicy Ground Beef Fried Rice:** Add more red pepper flakes, sriracha, or a dash of chili oil to kick up the heat.
* **Kimchi Ground Beef Fried Rice:** Add chopped kimchi to the fried rice for a tangy and spicy twist.
* **Pineapple Ground Beef Fried Rice:** Add chunks of pineapple to the fried rice for a sweet and savory flavor combination.
* **Curry Ground Beef Fried Rice:** Add a tablespoon of curry powder to the fried rice for a warm and aromatic flavor.
* **Hawaiian Ground Beef Fried Rice:** Add pineapple, ham, and a touch of brown sugar for a Hawaiian-inspired flavor.

## Serving Suggestions

Ground beef fried rice is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with the following:

* **Spring Rolls or Egg Rolls:** These crispy appetizers are a classic pairing with fried rice.
* **Wonton Soup:** A light and flavorful soup that complements the richness of the fried rice.
* **Steamed Broccoli or Green Beans:** A simple side dish to add some extra vegetables to your meal.
* **Edamame:** Steamed edamame pods sprinkled with sea salt make a healthy and satisfying snack or side dish.
* **Dumplings:** Pan-fried or steamed dumplings are another great addition to a Chinese-inspired meal.

## Storing and Reheating Leftovers

* **Storing:** Store leftover ground beef fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the fried rice in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also microwave it, but it may become a bit soggy. To revive the texture, add a tablespoon of water to the skillet while reheating and stir constantly. This will help to steam the rice and prevent it from drying out.

## Ground Beef Fried Rice Recipe Card

**Yields:** 4-6 servings
**Prep time:** 10 minutes
**Cook time:** 20 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound lean ground beef
* 3-4 cups cooked rice (day-old preferred)
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
* 3-4 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium)
* 1 tablespoon sesame oil
* 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
* 2-3 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
* 1-2 tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut)
* Optional: 1 teaspoon grated ginger, red pepper flakes to taste, 1-2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, sriracha to taste, cashews or peanuts for garnish

**Instructions:**

1. Heat cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain off excess grease.
2. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add mixed vegetables and cook until tender-crisp, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Push beef and vegetable mixture to one side. Pour in beaten eggs and cook, stirring, until scrambled. Break into small pieces and mix with beef and vegetables (or cook separately and add).
4. Add cooked rice to the skillet. Break up any clumps.
5. Pour in soy sauce and sesame oil (and any optional sauces). Stir well to combine.
6. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until rice is heated through and slightly browned.
7. Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve immediately.

Enjoy this delicious and easy ground beef fried rice recipe! It’s a customizable dish that’s sure to become a weeknight staple. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique version.