Beef Fried Rice

4.86 from 7 votes
Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links.

Beef fried rice is nourishing, filling, jam packed with veggies and flavor. The perfect quick weeknight meal to prep. A great changeup from traditional fried rice that’s ready in less than 30 minutes!

Ground beef fried rice with vegetables and garnished with green onion on a plate with a fork.
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

Why Make This Ground Beef Fried Rice Recipe

You can honestly add so many things about this easy beef fried rice. But here are a few of my favorites!

  • Variation to Traditional Fried Rice: This fried rice is a little different than the usual, it has ground beef instead of chicken or tofu. My husband had never heard of fried rice with beef, and now it’s requested weekly!
  • Such Amazing Flavors: This dish has a crunch, snappy umami flavors and it’s so dang easy to whip up.
  • Easy and Customizable: This ground beef and rice recipe is a no-fuss meal! The instructions are easy to follow and it’s very customizable so feel free to change it up based on your preferences or to use ingredients you have on hand!
  • Meal Prep: This meal is also great to prep ahead and an easy way to use up any leftovers in the fridge! Saving you money from less waste!

If you love this ground beef and rice recipe, try my Fried Beef Noodles next, another slam dunk meal. Or this Burger Bowls is great if you love beef and bowls! Both dishes are my favorite QUICK protein loaded weeknight meal.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s a quick overview of the main ingredients needed to make fried rice with ground beef. Be sure to check the recipe card for the full ingredient list and quantities of each.

Ingredients used to make this beef fried rice recipe on a counter before cooking.
  • Sesame Oil. Sesame oil is traditionally used in making fried rice and other Asian Dishes. It gives the beef and rice a wonderful nutty flavor. It’s found in the international aisle or with the other oils in the grocery store. You can also use peanut oil which adds a nice flavor.
  • Onion. I typically use yellow or white onion. This add crunch and aromatics.
  • Ginger. Fresh ginger is best, it adds a nice warm spice to the dish you will love.
  • Garlic. Fresh garlic cloves are always best, they add great aromatics to the dish.
  • Jalapeño. Optional! This adds a little heat to the dish (and you know I love my spice).
  • Lean Ground Beef. I love to use 90/10 beef. You can certainly use what you prefer or fits your budget. If you’re using a beef with more fat I recommend draining the exceess fat from the skillet after browning the meat.
  • Rice. Day old rice is best because it’s drier. I know this isn’t always possible, so you can make fresh rice, just be sure to let it completely cool before using. I like to place it without a cover in the freezer to cool it off and dry it out a bit.
  • Mixed Frozen Veggies. You can use peas or a mixed bag. I love both! No need to thaw, it will cook in the mix.
  • Eggs. These are key to making fried rice! They also add lots of protein.

Sauce Ingredients

  • Soy Sauce. I go for a rich dark soy sauce like this one from Amazon but you can certainly use light or low sodium soy sauce. I find the flavor more bold and it makes the rice a bit darker. You can also use tamari or coconut aminos especially if you want to make it gluten-free!
  • Hoisin Sauce. This is a rich and sweet sauce that’s thick, salty, and full of umami flavor. I use this brand on Amazon most often. You can also find it many grocery stores in the international aisle.
  • Sriracha. This is to add a little spice and color to the sauce. Most well-stocked grocery stores have it in the international aisle. If you can’t find it you can use other Asian hot sauces such as garlic chili sauce or sambal oelek.
  • White Sugar. This helps to thicken the sauce and crisp the meat a bit when cooking it.
  • Rice Vinegar. Made from rice, this vinegar is a little sweeter than most others. It’s also found in most grocery stores in the international aisle or with the other types of vinegar. You can also sub sherry vinegar in a pinch.

Recipe Variations

  • Ground Turkey or Chicken: Use it instead of the beef for a leaner option. Really this dish works most ground meats. I have even used ground elk and it was delicious.
  • More Veggies: If you’re looking to boost the veggies in your hamburger fried rice feel free to add any that cook quickly or are already blanched or steamed so they cook quickly. Broccoli, green beans, mushrooms, and snow peas are just a few ideas.
  • Other Grains: You can use brown rice or even quinoa in place of the white rice. Just be sure to cook them ahead of time so they have time to cool down.

How to Make Beef Fried Rice

Vegetables chopped on a cutting board and ground beef cooked in a skillet.

Step One. Mix the sauce ingredients together in a bowl and set aside. Dice up the jalapeño, onion and green onions as well as mince the garlic and ginger.

Step Two. Heat the sesame oil in a skillet or wok on high heat. Scramble the eggs in a bowl, add to the hot skillet, and scramble for about 3-4 minutes. Remove the eggs from the pan and set them to the side on a plate.

Note: I scramble the eggs separately for a better texture. I find cooking the egg in the beef mix makes it a little mushy.

Step Three. Add the leftover oil to the wok or skillet. Then add in the onion and jalapeños. Cooking for about 2 minutes. Add the ginger, garlic, and sauté for another minute then add ground mince (beef) to the hot skillet. Cook until the minced beef is cooked all the way through.

A small glass bowl with a whisk and a pan with beef fried rice.

Step Four. Add the sauce to the beef. Let it cook down and glaze the beef. Once the sauce is sticking to the ground beef nicely, add in the mixed veggies, and sauté for about 4 minutes. Add the rice and lastly the scrambled eggs. Cook until everything is heated through.

Step Five. Serve immediately. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds and any other toppings of choice. I like avocado and more Sriracha on mine.

 Hamburger fried rice in a pink bowl topped with green onions and sliced avocado.

What to Serve with Fried Rice

Recipe Tips

  • Use Leftover Rice. This is the trick to a fluffy fried rice. The pieces of rice are slightly drier so they don’t stick together when cooked.
  • Scramble the Eggs Separately. I like to scramble them separately to keep their texture! I prefer it much more than having them mashed into the rice. You can certainly do it any way you’d like!
  • Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or you can freeze this meal for up to 2 months. To reheat, add a teaspoon of water or one ice cube to the leftovers and microwave for 2 -3 minutes (the liquid helps to keep things moistened). You can also reheat on top of the stove in a skillet.

Recipe FAQ’s

Is this fried rice with beef filling?

Yes! This meal is very filling, it is full of protein and nutrients. You can easily make this meal as it is for dinner or add a side salad.

I don’t have leftover rice can I make fresh rice?

Yes, you can make fresh rice, just be sure to factor in time to let the rice completely cool. I put it in the freezer for 20 minutes without a lid to help cool and dry out the rice for a better texture.

More Easy Dinners to Try

If you loved this recipe let me know! Also, follow me on Instagram & Pinterest for even more fun recipes to make you feel good from the inside out. Thanks for being here.

Pink bowl with beef and rice in it.
4.86 from 7 votes

Beef Fried Rice

Beef fried rice is nourishing, filling and jam packed with veggies and flavor. The perfect quick weeknight meal to prep.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet or wok

Ingredients 

Beef Fried Rice

  • 3 eggs
  • ¼ tsp salt, for the scrambled eggs
  • 1 Tbsp sesame oil , Peanut oil will also work for flavor.
  • ½ cup onions, diced
  • 1 Jalapeño, diced, *optional
  • 1 tsp ginger, minced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 2 cups day old rice, *see notes for measurement help
  • 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
  • ¼ cup green onions, sliced
  • 2 tsp white sesame seeds, for garnish

Sauce Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp hoisin sauce
  • ½ Tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp white granulated sugar
  • ½ Tbsp sriracha
  • ½ tsp pepper

Instructions 

  • Mix the sauce ingredients together in a bowl and set aside. Next, dice up jalapeño, onion and green onions. Mince garlic and ginger.
  • In a large skillet or wok, heat sesame oil on high heat. Scramble the eggs in a bowl, add to the hot skillet and scramble for about 3-4 minutes, set eggs to the side on a plate. I scramble the eggs separately for a better texture. I find cooking the egg in the beef mix makes it a little mushy. 
  • Add leftover oil to the wok or skillet, add in the onion and jalapeños. Simmer for about 2 minutes. Add ginger, garlic, sauté for another minute then add ground mince (beef) to the hot skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes until mince (beef) is cooked all the way through. 
  • Add the sauce to the beef. Let it cook down and glaze the beef, about 2 minutes. Once the sauce is sticking to the ground beef nicely, add the mixed veggies, sauté for about 4 minutes, add the rice and lastly the scrambled eggs. Heat everything through and serve immediately. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds and any other toppings of choice. I like avocado and more Sriracha on mine. 

Notes

*Fresh made rice will also work, just cool or chill it before adding in. Cook 1 cup of rice to make about 2.75 cups of  cooked rice 
Recipe Tips
  • Use Leftover Rice. This is the trick to a fluffy fried rice. The pieces of rice are slightly drier so they don’t stick together when cooked.
  • Scramble the Eggs Separately. I like to scramble them separately to keep their texture! I prefer it much more than having them mashed into the rice. You can certainly do it any way you’d like!
  • Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or you can freeze this meal for up to 2 months. To reheat, add a teaspoon of water or one ice cube to the leftovers and microwave for 2 -3 minutes (the liquid helps to keep things moistened). You can also reheat on top of the stove in a skillet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.25cup | Calories: 581kcal | Carbohydrates: 95g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 193mg | Sodium: 1306mg | Potassium: 851mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 4930IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Bailey
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Servings: 4
Calories: 581
Keyword: beef fried rice recipe, ground beef fried rice, hamburger fried rice
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

About Bailey


You may also like

4.86 from 7 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




8 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made this last night and then enjoy the leftovers today I must say itโ€™s one of the best fried rice recipes I have tried, super fresh, and I love that the eggs werenโ€™t mushy.

  2. 5 stars
    Never thought beef fried rice could be a thing. So happy I got out of my comfort zone and tried this!

  3. 5 stars
    This was delicious and very easy to make. I used only 1 cup of rice for my diet and still excellent. Going to add more spice next time.

  4. I made this beef fried rice this evening! It was so good! I didnt want to cook rice so I used cauliflower rice, still yummy. I added chili pepper flakes when done. I enjoyed this recipe and had everything on hand which made the process so easy! Thank you, going to share this recipe and will enjoy leftovers at work the next day! ๐Ÿ™โ™ฅ๏ธ

    1. Hi Karen, I am thrilled to hear you loved this as much as we did! Thanks for letting me know and Happy Eating. Xoxo

  5. 5 stars
    Super easy and flavorful recipe. Our family loves this one.

  6. 4 stars
    It was good. I felt it was a little to sweet but i am diabetic. But we enjoyed. Will see how feel tomorrow as something are better next day.
    My nephew liked it he had 2 bowls.

    1. So happy to hear you enjoyed this one! Thanks for the feedback!