Ground Beef Fried Rice

Looking for a quick, satisfying meal that’s packed with flavor? This Ground Beef Fried Rice recipe has you covered. Perfect for busy weeknights, it combines savory ground beef, crisp vegetables, and day-old rice in a one-pan wonder that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re craving a comfort food classic or need to use up leftover rice, this dish is a go-to for its ease and rich umami taste. With just a few pantry staples, you’ll have a hearty and delicious dinner the whole family will love!

Ingredients for the ground beef fried rice

Ground Beef: Adds a savory and rich taste to the dish while providing protein. Use lean beef to keep it light or regular ground beef for extra flavor.

Rice: Leftover rice works best because it’s dry and absorbs flavors better without becoming mushy.

Vegetables: Common options include peas, carrots, bell peppers, and onions. These add texture, color, and nutrition.

Soy Sauce: Provides a salty, umami base for the fried rice.

Eggs: Add richness and act as a binder, giving the dish its characteristic fluffy texture.

Garlic: Boosts the flavor profile, giving the fried rice a slight kick.

Green Onions: Fresh and mild, they add a pop of color and flavor as a garnish

How to make the rice

Cook the Eggs: In a large pan or wok, heat a bit of oil over medium heat. Add the beaten eggs and cook, stirring gently, until scrambled. Remove the eggs from the pan and set aside.

Cook the Onion and Garlic: In the same pan, add a bit more butter and sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic for 2-3 minutes until they’re fragrant and softened.

Add the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan with the onions and garlic. Cook, breaking apart the beef with a spatula, until it’s browned and fully cooked through.

Add the Vegetables: Toss in your vegetables and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes, until they’re tender but still slightly crisp. Add the salt, pepper, and chilies and stir.

Add the Rice and Sauce: Add the cooked rice to the pan, breaking up any clumps. Drizzle soy sauce over the rice, stirring well to combine all ingredients. Stir-fry for another 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Add Eggs Back: Finally, add the scrambled eggs back to the pan and stir to combine. Cook for another minute, adjust seasoning if needed.

Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with green onions if desired, and serve hot.

Tips for the best ground beef fried rice

Use Day-Old Rice– Freshly cooked rice can be too moist and sticky, which may lead to mushy fried rice. Day-old, refrigerated rice is drier and has a firmer texture, making it perfect for frying. If you don’t have leftover rice, cook the rice, spread it on a baking sheet, and put it in the freezer to cool and dry out quickly.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan– Fry rice in a large pan or wok with enough room for tossing and stirring. Overcrowding traps steam and can make the rice soggy instead of crisp.

High Heat Cooking: Cook fried rice over high heat, which helps the rice grains get a slight crisp on the outside while maintaining a firm texture inside. It also reduces cooking time, so the rice doesn’t become mushy.

How to store

Cool Quickly– Once the rice is cooked, spread it out on a baking sheet or shallow container to cool. This helps prevent bacterial growth. Don’t leave rice out for more than an hour at room temperature.

Refrigerate – Once cooled, transfer the rice to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. Stored properly, cooked rice can last for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Freeze– Divide the rice into portion-sized freezer bags or containers and freeze for up to 1 month.

Reheat Safely: When you’re ready to use the rice, reheat it thoroughly. You can add the rice directly to a hot pan and fry for about 2-3 mins

Avoid Reheating Multiple Times– Repeated reheating can promote bacterial growth, so try to use all reheated rice in one sitting.

Enjoy making this Ground Beef Fried Rice, and don’t forget to explore more delicious recipes on our blog!