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 something wonderfully comforting about the perfect balance of savory and zingy in a stir-fry, and this Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe hits that sweet spot every time. The fresh ginger brightens the rich beef, making it a go-to dish for busy weeknights or when you want a simple dinner that feels special.

A white round plate holds two main layers. The bottom layer is fluffy white rice with separate grains, filling the whole plate. On top, there is a layer of brown ground meat mixed with bright green peas scattered evenly. The meat looks crumbly and slightly moist, while the peas are round and shiny, creating a colorful contrast with the white rice below. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, giving a clean and bright background. 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’ve made this Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe more times than I can count, and every time it delivers that cozy, flavorful hit I want from a quick dinner. Its simplicity is genius—you don’t need a long ingredient list to feel like you’re eating something homey but exciting.

Speedy and Easy: Cooking this dish takes less than 30 minutes, perfect for busy days.
Flavor-Packed: The fresh ginger packs a punch that elevates the ground beef beyond ordinary stir-fry.
Customizable: You can toss in your favorite veggies or swap proteins to keep it fresh.
Comfort in a Bowl: Serve over rice or your favorite grain for a satisfying, well-rounded meal.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe plays a specific role, creating a harmony of flavors you wouldn’t expect from something this simple. Picking the best-quality beef and fresh ginger truly impacts the final dish.

Flat lay of a mound of fresh, raw lean ground beef, a small white ceramic bowl filled with dark soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl holding golden brown sugar crystals, a small white ceramic bowl with finely minced peeled fresh ginger, a small white ceramic bowl of bright green frozen peas, and two clean whole brown eggs placed naturally beside each other, all arranged with perfect symmetry and realistic 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 use 90/10 for the right balance of flavor without too much grease.
Low sodium soy sauce or tamari: Keeps the saltiness in check and adds that signature umami taste.
Brown sugar: A subtle sweetness that balances the salt and the kick of ginger.
Fresh ginger: Essential for that bright, gingery zing—frozen won’t cut it here.
Frozen peas: Adds a pop of color, sweetness, and texture—plus a quick veggie boost.
Water: Helps create a bit of steam to cook the beef evenly and develop the sauce.
Cooked rice (optional): A simple base that soaks up all the saucy goodness.

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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 often tweak this Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe depending on what I have at hand or who I’m cooking for. It’s such a versatile base that you can add your favorite vegetables or even some heat if you like things spicy.

Variation: One time, I added thinly sliced bell peppers and a splash of sesame oil at the end—it gave such a lovely, nutty aroma that made the dish feel special.

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

A white bowl filled with white fluffy rice as the bottom layer, topped with a mixture of cooked brown ground meat and bright green peas spread evenly over the rice. A silver spoon rests inside the right side of the bowl, and part of a gray cloth napkin with a checked pattern is visible at the bottom left corner. The bowl sits on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Brown the Beef with Ginger and Seasonings

Start with a large skillet over medium-high heat. I toss in the ground beef, soy sauce, about ¼ cup water, brown sugar, and freshly minced ginger right away. You’ll want to break up the beef with your wooden spoon, stirring frequently so it cooks evenly and the ginger infuses the meat beautifully. This takes about 8 minutes—look for that deep brown color without drying it out.

Step 2: Add the Peas and Reduce the Sauce

Once the beef is browned and aromatic, stir in the frozen peas. Continue cooking for around 5 more minutes, letting most of the liquid evaporate so the flavors concentrate. The peas add a pop of sweetness and a nice texture contrast here. Keep stirring gently to avoid mushy veggies.

Step 3: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the gingery beef hot over steamed rice or your favorite grain. The saucy beef and sweet peas make each bite comforting and fresh at the same time—trust me, it’s a bowl you’ll want to come back to again and again.

Top Tip

From my experience, a few small tweaks really take this Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe to the next level, making it simple to nail perfect flavor and texture every time.

Use Fresh Ginger: Fresh ginger gives such a bright and zesty punch that dried ginger just can’t mimic.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cooking the beef in one even layer helps it brown properly without steaming.
Control the Sauce: Adjust the water amount a bit if you want a saucier or drier stir-fry.
Keep the Peas Crisp: Toss peas in last to keep them vibrant and slightly crisp rather than mushy.

How to Serve Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe

gingery ground beef - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling chopped green onions on top for a fresh bite and a little extra color. Sometimes I add a drizzle of toasted sesame oil or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a subtle nutty note that plays well with the ginger.

Side Dishes

This stir-fry is fantastic with simple steamed jasmine rice, but I also like pairing it with quick sautéed bok choy or a crunchy cucumber salad to add freshness and crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, I’ve served this gingery beef in lettuce wraps at a casual dinner party. It’s a great way to make the dish feel interactive and light, perfect for warm evenings or when you want something low-carb.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making next-day meals even tastier.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully if you want to batch prep. I portion it into freezer-safe containers, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove.

Reheating

To reheat, I recommend warming it on the stove with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Microwave works too, but I watch it closely to keep the beef tender and peas from getting mushy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef in this recipe?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken work great and make it lighter. Just be mindful they cook a bit faster, so watch the browning time closely to avoid drying out the meat.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

To keep it gluten-free, simply use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative. It’s a straightforward swap that doesn’t change the flavor you love.

Can I add other vegetables to the stir-fry?

Definitely! Bell peppers, shredded carrots, or mushrooms all mix in well. Add veggies that cook quickly or sauté them separately before combining so everything cooks evenly.

What’s the best way to get fresh ginger if I don’t have any on hand?

If fresh ginger isn’t available, you can use frozen grated ginger—just slightly less than fresh since it’s more concentrated. Avoid ground ginger here; it won’t provide the fresh, bright flavor this dish needs.

Final Thoughts

This Gingery Ground Beef Stir-Fry Recipe became a staple in my kitchen because it’s the perfect mix of quick, satisfying, and full of flavor without fuss. I’m excited for you to try it and find your own favorite tweaks—trust me, this is the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug after a long day.