20 minute dinner alert! This Ground Beef and String Beans recipe is one of my go-to weeknight meals because it's fast, affordable, packed with protein, and loaded with flavor. We've been making quick skillet dinners for years and let me tell you... the secret is really in the sauce! This homemade sesame sauce is super simple yet really delicious, and the perfect consistency to coat every bite.
This stir fry makes great beef and rice bowls, and leftovers will reheat perfectly! Be sure to check out our other one pan dinner recipes for more inspiration like this.
I have a routine of cooking a big batch of something on Mondays and then eating the leftovers all week long. For a while, I was making these Ground Turkey Bowls practically every other week (the sauce is *so so* good).
But when ground beef goes on sale, I switch to this recipe! I love that I look forward to lunch each day (which can't be said with all leftovers).
Skip to:
Why this recipe made the cut
One of our top priorities is sharing recipes that we actually make and enjoy in our real lives. For me (Misty here), this is one of those that I've made many times over and still come back to because it fits my busy schedule so well. Here's what I love:
- It actually takes 20 minutes. I've timed it, truly.
- The sauce is plenty flavorful, so it doesn't just taste "beefy" like some other bowls I have tried in the past.
- It's a flexible recipe. I can swap out the veggies and even some sauce ingredients depending on what I have on hand.
Ingredients for beef and green bean stir fry
These are very basic ingredients, but there are a couple of tips that make the difference from good to great. Check out these tips before you head to the grocery store.
- Soy sauce: I use regular, not reduced sodium. If you prefer lite, just add a bit of extra kosher salt.
- Honey: I love that this recipe doesn't use brown sugar! If you like spice, you could swap this out with hot honey.
- Rice vinegar: It's important not to skip this because the tang balances the sweet.
- Toasted sesame oil: You can use regular sesame oil, but I promise getting one that is toasted is so much more flavorful! It's the only way I use sesame oil now.
- Sriracha: This doesn't add very much spice, but it does balance the honey. You can use chili garlic sauce or gochujang as substitutes. Add red pepper flakes for more spice!
- Fresh ginger: I won't lie, I am too lazy to peel and grate fresh ginger most of the time. My favorite thing ever is to buy the teaspoon size cubes of frozen ginger from Trader Joes, or one of the tubes of grated ginger is a decent alternative.
- Cornstarch: If you skip this, the sauce will be watery-thin and won't stick to the meat.
- Green beans: I usually make this with fresh green beans, and I choose thinner ones when possible. I have also made it successfully with the Frozen Trader Joes French green beans.
- Lean ground beef: Use 90% lean or something close to it. That gives you enough fat to keep the meat moist without being greasy.
- Garlic: Fresh adds great flavor! You can use a garlic press or buy it minced.
- Sesame seeds: These are optional, but I love the extra texture they add.
Helpful kitchen tools
How to make ground beef and string beans
If you plan to serve this with rice, get that started first. This is how I make Jasmine Rice on the Stove, although sometimes I make it in my Instant Pot.
Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl with a whisk, then set aside.
Heat a large 12 inch skillet on the stove over medium-high heat (or just under if your stove runs hot). Add ½ tablespoon of sesame oil, then add the green beans for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
They should be tender-crisp and develop a little bit of color. Remove to a plate and set aside.
Reduce the heat to medium, then add another ½ tablespoon of oil, the ground beef and salt. Cook and break it into very small pieces (this meat masher makes this so easy) until it is cooked through and no pink remains, about 5-6 minutes.
If there is a lot of excess grease in the pan, use paper towels to soak it up and discard.
Add the garlic and sesame seeds and cook for 1 minute, stirring often so they don't burn. Cooking them like this develops more flavor!
Add the green beans back to the pan, then pour the sauce in. Cook over medium heat for 1-3 minutes, stirring often until the sauce has thickened. Serve hot and enjoy!
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. It reheats very easily in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove over medium heat (it really does taste good leftover too, which is a huge win in my book).
What to serve with beef and rice bowls
This is a complete meal all on it's own - protein, veggies, and carbs when served with rice. But if you're looking for more ideas, here are some good ones!
Prep ahead instructions
This is a very quick dinner. But you can make it even quicker by prepping a few things ahead of time. Combine all the sauce ingredients, then store in the fridge in a sealed container for 3-4 days. You can also cut the green beans and store in a sealed container for 1-3 days. When you're ready to eat, continue with the recipe as written.
FAQs
Absolutely! Swap out the green beans for sugar snap peas, broccoli, red bell pepper, zucchini, or onion. You can also leave out the veggies entirely if you prefer.
I do not recommend freezing and reheating this recipe because the freezer tends to dry out the meat and dull the flavor.
Tips & tricks
- Don't skip draining the oil. If you leave it, the sauce will be watered down and greasy.
- To avoid burning, don't let the pan get too hot or to the point of smoking.
- Don't leave any ingredients out. It's only a few, so each one matters!
More recipes
Looking for other recipes? Try these:
- Homemade Granola Recipe
- Italian Sausage Soup
- Cast Iron Skillet Cake
- How to Cook Quinoa (Instant Pot or Stove)
- Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- How to Make Dried Black Beans
This post was photographed by Rhadonda Sedgwick.
Recipe
Beef and String Bean Stir Fry Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Sauce
- ⅓ cup soy sauce regular, not reduced sodium
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 ½ tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
Bowls
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil divided
- ½ lb fresh green beans cut into 1.5-2 inch pieces
- 1.5 lb ground beef 90% lean
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
For serving
- Cooked white rice
- Sliced green onions optional
- Sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- *If you plan to serve this with rice, get that started first.
- Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl with a whisk, then set aside.⅓ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 ½ tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon sriracha, 2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger, 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- Heat a large 12 inch skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. Add ½ tablespoon of sesame oil, then add the green beans for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. until they are tender-crisp and develop a bit of color. Remove to a plate and set aside.0.5 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, ½ lb fresh green beans
- Reduce the heat to medium, then add another ½ tablespoon sesame oil. Once hot, add the ground beef and salt. Cook, breaking it up into small pieces until it's cooked through and no pink remains, about 5-6 minutes (this meat masher makes this easy).0.5 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 1.5 lb ground beef, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- If there is a lot of excess grease in the pan, use paper towels to soak it up and discard. Then add the garlic and sesame seeds and cook for 1 minute, stirring often so they don't burn. Cooking them like this before adding the sauce develops more flavor!1 tablespoon garlic, 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- Add the green beans back to the pan, then pour the sauce in. Cook over medium heat for 1-3 minutes, stirring often until the sauce has thickened. Serve over white rice with green onions and sesame seeds.Cooked white rice, Sliced green onions, Sesame seeds
Notes
- Don't skip draining the oil. If you leave it, the sauce will be watered down and greasy.
- To avoid burning, don't let the pan get too hot or to the point of smoking.
- Don't leave any ingredients out. It's only a few, so each one matters!
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Comments
No Comments