Ground Beef Stir Fry with Zucchini, Mushrooms, and Maple Soy BBQ Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This ground beef stir fry is a quick and flavorful meal that combines savory beef with fresh vegetables in a delicious sauce. Perfect for a busy weeknight, it’s easy to prepare and full of vibrant textures and tastes.

Ingredients

• 1 pound 80-20 ground beef
• 2 medium zucchini, sliced
• 8 ounces brown mushrooms or baby Bella, sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• Chives or green onions (optional for garnish)
• 3 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (GF Tamari recommended)
• 3 Tbsp BBQ sauce (original, sweet, or smoky)
• 2 Tbsp real maple syrup
• 2 garlic cloves, grated or minced
• 1 tsp ginger, grated (or 1 cube frozen ginger, or 1/4 tsp ground ginger)
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp oil for cooking (such as vegetable or canola oil)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Mix the sauce by combining the soy sauce, BBQ sauce, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil in a small bowl or measuring cup. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the ground beef and sauté, breaking it up with a spatula, until fully cooked and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the beef to a bowl, leaving the oil in the pan.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed. Add the zucchini, mushrooms, and carrot, sautéing and stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes until the zucchini is halfway cooked but still crisp. Avoid overcooking to keep the vegetables firm.
4. Step 4: Return the cooked ground beef to the pan. Pour in the prepared sauce and stir to combine. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is fragrant and the garlic and ginger have lightly cooked. The vegetables should be crisp-tender.
5. Step 5: Season with salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat. Serve immediately over freshly cooked rice or in lettuce cups. Garnish with chopped chives or green onions if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
• Add bell peppers or snap peas for more color and crunch.
• For extra heat, sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of chili sauce to the stir fry.
• Replace BBQ sauce with hoisin sauce for a different flavor twist.
• Serve with cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. To maintain vegetable crispness, avoid overcooking during reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other vegetables in this stir fry?

Absolutely! Feel free to swap in or add vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, broccoli, or baby corn depending on your preference and what you have on hand.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, if you use gluten-free tamari instead of regular soy sauce, this dish is naturally gluten-free.

Ground Beef Stir Fry with Zucchini, Mushrooms, and Maple Soy BBQ Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 98 reviews

• Author: Elara
• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Salt

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Description

This Ground Beef Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish featuring savory, sweet, and tangy sauce, tender sautéed ground beef, and fresh vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, and carrots. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it combines a delicious umami-rich sauce made with soy, BBQ sauce, maple syrup, garlic, and ginger, all cooked together in one skillet for an easy and satisfying meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein

• 1 pound 80-20 ground beef

Vegetables

• 2 medium zucchini, sliced
• 8 ounces brown mushrooms or baby Bella, sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• Chives or green onions (optional for garnish)

Sauce

• 3 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (gluten-free Tamari recommended)
• 3 Tbsp BBQ sauce (original, sweet, or smoky)
• 2 Tbsp real maple syrup
• 2 garlic cloves, grated or minced
• 1 tsp ginger, grated or 1/4 tsp ground ginger or 1 cube frozen ginger
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil

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Instructions

1. Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl or measuring cup, thoroughly combine the soy sauce, BBQ sauce, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Set this sauce mixture aside to allow the flavors to meld while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and sauté for about 5 minutes until it is fully cooked through and lightly browned, which helps build flavor. Once cooked, transfer the beef to a separate bowl, leaving any rendered oil in the pan.
3. Sauté the Veggies: In the same skillet with the reserved oil (add a bit more if needed), add all the sliced vegetables—zucchini, mushrooms, and julienned carrot. Sauté, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes until the zucchini is halfway cooked and still crunchy. Take care not to overcook to avoid mushy vegetables, as they will continue cooking later with the sauce.
4. Add the Ground Beef and Sauce: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet with the vegetables, then pour the prepared sauce over the top. Stir everything together to coat evenly. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is fragrant and heated through. The garlic and ginger will lightly cook during this step, and the zucchini should become crisp-tender.
5. Finish and Serve: Adjust seasoning by adding salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat. Serve the stir fry over freshly cooked rice or inside lettuce cups for a lighter option. Garnish with chopped chives or green onions if desired for a fresh, colorful finish.

Notes

• Use gluten-free Tamari sauce to make this recipe gluten free.
• Adjust the BBQ sauce sweetness or smokiness based on your preference for a personalized flavor.
• Try substituting ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein alternative.
• The stir fry can be served over rice, noodles, or as a filling for lettuce wraps.
• Make sure not to overcook the vegetables to maintain their texture and vibrant flavor.
• Can be reheated gently on stovetop or microwave without losing much of its flavor or texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American with Asian influence

Keywords: ground beef stir fry, easy stir fry recipe, beef and vegetables, quick dinner, gluten-free stir fry, healthy stir fry