Sesame Beef Zucchini Stir Fry Recipe
A flavorful and healthy Sesame Beef Zucchini Stir Fry featuring lean ground beef, tender zucchini, and a savory-sweet sesame sauce. This quick and easy stir fry is perfect for a weeknight dinner, served over fragrant jasmine rice and garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Beef
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 zucchini squash, thinly sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
Sauce and Oils
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Serving
- Jasmine rice, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Season with a pinch of kosher salt and pepper. Use a spatula to break the beef into small pieces as it cooks. Brown the beef thoroughly and render out the fat. When cooked through, use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to a plate, leaving any fat behind in the skillet.
- Sauté the Zucchini: In the same skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced zucchini and a small pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well to combine. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the zucchini develops some browning. Then reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for another 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the zucchini softens and cooks down.
- Add Garlic: Stir the minced garlic into the zucchini and cook briefly until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Combine Ingredients and Add Sauce: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet with the zucchini and garlic. Stir everything together to combine. Pour in the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and honey. Mix well and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Finish With Garnishes: Stir in the thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Give a final toss and remove from heat.
- Serve: Serve the sesame beef zucchini stir fry hot over freshly cooked jasmine rice. Enjoy immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef for a different protein option.
- For a spicy kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha when adding the sauce ingredients.
- To make it gluten-free, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
- If preferred, you can add other vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas to bulk up the stir fry.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat quickly in a skillet or microwave.
Find it online: https://recipeplenty.com/sesame-beef-zucchini-stir-fry-recipe/
