This Beef and Onion Stir Fry is a quick, budget-friendly dish that’s packed with flavor. The crispy ground beef is perfectly complemented by tender sautéed onions and a delicious, savory stir-fry sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an ideal meal for busy weeknights or meal prep, and it’s perfect when served over steamed rice with an optional egg yolk for a creamy, rich finish.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Stir Fry:

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 1 white onion (chopped)

  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil (for frying)

• For the Stir Fry Sauce:

  • ¼ cup water

  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce (or dark soy sauce)

  • 1 tablespoon ketchup

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

  • ½ tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce

  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

• Optional:

  • Egg yolk (for a creamy finish)

  • Garnish: Sliced green onions

  • Serve with freshly steamed rice

Directions

1. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together all the stir-fry sauce ingredients and set aside.

2. Sauté the Onion: Heat the avocado oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes, or until it softens and becomes translucent. Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Cook the Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and break it up as it cooks. Let it brown, creating a crispy sear on the bottom. This adds extra flavor.

4. Combine Garlic and Sauce: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the cooked onions back into the pan.

5. Add Sauce and Simmer: Pour in the stir-fry sauce and stir to combine. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and onions.

6. Serve: Serve the stir-fry hot over steamed rice. Garnish with green onions. Optionally, crack an egg yolk on top and mix for a creamy, velvety finish.

Nutrients

Estimated per serving (2 servings):

• Calories: 400–450 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 20g

• Protein: 30g

• Fat: 25g

• Sodium: ~700mg

• Sugar: 5g

A Savory Stir Fry Sauce: The Secret Ingredient

The key to making this stir fry stand out is the stir-fry sauce. The sauce is a balance of sweet, salty, and savory, with just the right amount of umami. The soy sauce provides a savory depth, while the sweet soy sauce (or dark soy sauce) adds richness and a touch of sweetness. Ketchup brings a slight tang and balance to the flavors, while sesame oil offers a nutty aroma that’s essential in stir-fry dishes.

The vegetarian oyster sauce adds an extra layer of flavor with its salty, earthy undertones, while the cornstarch helps thicken the sauce, giving it a glossy finish that clings perfectly to the beef and onions. The sugar balances out the savory notes and ensures a perfect harmony of flavors.

This sauce is simple to prepare and only requires whisking the ingredients together in a small bowl before adding it to the beef and onions. Its complexity and balance are what make the stir fry so flavorful without being overly complicated.

Cooking the Beef: Creating the Perfect Crisp

Ground beef is an excellent choice for stir-fry because it cooks quickly and can absorb the sauce’s flavors beautifully. The trick to getting the beef just right is to allow it to brown and crisp up in the pan. This caramelization adds extra flavor and creates a satisfying texture in every bite.

Start by heating the avocado oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula or spoon. Let it brown, allowing the beef to develop a nice sear at the bottom. This searing process adds extra flavor, so don’t rush it! Once the beef is browned and crispy, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute to release the garlic’s aromatic flavor.

The Onions: Sweet and Tender

While the beef is cooking, the onions are sautéed to bring out their natural sweetness. Begin by cooking the chopped onion in the same pan. After sautéing for about 2 minutes, the onions should soften and become translucent. This step is important for developing their sweetness, which complements the savory beef. Once the onions are ready, remove them from the pan and set them aside. This keeps them tender and allows the beef to crisp up without overcooking the onions.

Combining Everything: The Final Step

Once the beef has browned and the garlic has cooked, return the sautéed onions to the pan. Pour the stir-fry sauce over the mixture, and stir everything together. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to thicken and coat the beef and onions. The sauce should form a glossy coating that enhances the beef’s flavor and helps tie all the components together.

The simmering process also allows the beef and onions to soak in the sauce, which intensifies the overall flavor and makes the dish even more delicious. Once the sauce has thickened, the stir fry is ready to serve.

Serving: The Perfect Finish

This Beef and Onion Stir Fry is delicious on its own, but you can elevate it by serving it over freshly steamed rice. The rice will absorb the flavorful sauce and provide a neutral base to balance the richness of the beef. For an extra touch, you can add a raw egg yolk on top of the stir fry. When mixed into the hot stir fry, the egg yolk creates a creamy, velvety finish that adds depth and richness to the dish. This optional step makes the dish even more indulgent and satisfying.

Garnishing with sliced green onions adds a burst of freshness and color, making the dish visually appealing and enhancing its flavor with a subtle sharpness.

Nutritional Information

This Beef and Onion Stir Fry is a well-balanced meal that provides a good amount of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Each serving contains approximately 400–450 calories, making it a hearty yet manageable dish for those looking to enjoy a fulfilling meal. With 30g of protein, it’s a great source of lean protein from the ground beef, and the 25g of fat comes mostly from the sesame oil, which provides healthy fats that contribute to the dish’s rich flavor.

The 20g of carbohydrates come primarily from the rice and the small amount of sugar in the sauce, making this a moderate-carb meal. If you’re looking to lower the carbohydrate content, you can serve the stir fry with cauliflower rice or another low-carb option. The sodium content is around 700mg, so you can adjust the soy sauce to a low-sodium version to reduce the salt level if necessary.

Why This Dish Works for Busy Weeknights

This Beef and Onion Stir Fry is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful but don’t have a lot of time to cook. It comes together in just 25 minutes, making it a quick and easy option when you need dinner fast. The ingredients are simple and commonly found in most kitchens, and the cooking process is straightforward—everything comes together in one pan, so cleanup is a breeze.

The stir-fry sauce can also be prepared in advance, making it even easier to put the meal together when you’re short on time. Plus, the dish is easily customizable. You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based protein like tofu if you prefer. You can also add other vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms to enhance the dish and increase its nutritional value.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this Beef and Onion Stir Fry is a quick, budget-friendly, and delicious dish that’s perfect for any busy day. The savory stir-fry sauce, crispy ground beef, and tender sautéed onions come together in a satisfying, flavorful meal that will please the whole family. Whether you serve it with rice, a fried egg yolk, or your favorite side dish, this recipe is sure to become a go-to in your weeknight dinner rotation. It’s a simple yet comforting meal that’s packed with flavor and can be customized to suit your taste preferences.