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Quick and Savory Ground Beef Fried Rice

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A fast, flavorful fried rice recipe using ground beef, perfect for easy weeknight dinners with simple ingredients and minimal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef (85% lean)
  • 3 cups (600 grams) cooked jasmine rice, day-old preferred
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots mix (or fresh)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 green onions, sliced thin
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or canola oil
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the green onions. If using frozen peas and carrots, rinse briefly under warm water to thaw slightly and drain well. Beat the eggs in a bowl and set aside.
  2. Cook the ground beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat in your skillet. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for about 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through, with no pink remaining. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Once browned, transfer the beef to a plate and set aside, leaving any rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Sauté the aromatics and veggies: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Toss in the diced onion and garlic, cooking for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Add the peas and carrots, cooking another 2 minutes until warmed through but still vibrant.
  4. Scramble the eggs: Push the veggies to one side of the skillet. Pour the beaten eggs into the empty side and scramble gently until just set but still soft—about 1–2 minutes.
  5. Add the rice and beef back in: Add the cold cooked rice and browned ground beef back into the skillet, stirring everything together well. Use your spatula to break up any clumps of rice. Cook for about 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, letting the rice develop a slight crust on the bottom here and there.
  6. Season the fried rice: Pour in the soy sauce and oyster sauce (if using), stirring to coat evenly. Drizzle the sesame oil over the top and toss in the sliced green onions. Stir well and cook for another minute to combine flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning with more soy sauce or pepper if needed.
  7. Finish and serve: Turn off the heat and let the fried rice rest for a minute before serving. Serve hot, optionally garnished with extra green onions or toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

Use day-old rice for best texture. If using fresh rice, spread it out to cool and dry before cooking. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming the rice. Drain excess fat from beef if needed to avoid sogginess. Substitute tamari or coconut aminos for soy sauce to make gluten-free. Oyster sauce can be omitted or replaced with mushroom sauce for vegan adaptation.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef fried rice, quick fried rice, easy weeknight dinner, savory fried rice, one-pan meal

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/quick-and-savory-ground-beef-fried-rice-recipe-for-easy-weeknight-dinner/