Green Beans and Ground Beef Stir Fry

Name: Green Beans and Ground Beef Stir Fry
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 200 gr green beans; 100 gr ground beef; 2 cloves garlic; 2 red chilis; ½ tbsp oyster sauce; ½ tbsp soy sauce; ¼ tsp salt; ¼ tsp mushroom powder; ¼ tsp pepper; 1 tsp cornstarch; 1 tsp water

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This green beans and ground beef stir fry is a simple, hearty dish that’s packed with savory flavor. Tender-crisp green beans pair beautifully with seasoned ground beef in a sauce that’s perfect for spooning over rice. It’s an easy, no-fuss meal you’ll want on repeat.

A plate of green beans and ground beef stir fry.

A Quick Look at the Recipe

🏷️ Recipe Name: Green Beans and Ground Beef Stir Fry
⏱️ Ready In: ~ 15 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 4 people
🔥 Calories: 95 kcal (per serving)
🧾 Main Ingredients: Green beans, ground beef, garlic, oyster sauce, soy sauce, chilis
🥗 Dietary Info: Gluten free, Halal
🧠 Difficulty: Easy – one pan, simple steps.

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This ground beef and green beans recipe is a simple Southeast Asian–style stir fry that’s big on flavor and easy to make. Tender-crisp green beans are cooked with savory ground beef and a well-balanced sauce that pairs perfectly with hot steamed rice, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

Green beans are a staple in many Southeast Asian stir fries because they hold their texture beautifully while soaking up bold, savory flavors. If you enjoy quick vegetable-forward dishes, you may also like my green bean garlic stir fry for something lighter, or green beans with eggs for a comforting everyday meal. Together, these recipes show just how versatile green beans can be in home-style stir-fry cooking.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Quick and easy to make – This stir fry comes together fast, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something homemade without spending hours in the kitchen.
Simple but delicious – With basic ingredients and a well-balanced sauce, this dish proves you don’t need anything complicated for great flavor.
Perfect with rice (or other dishes) – It pairs beautifully with steamed rice and works well alongside other stir fries or simple soups for a complete meal.
Hearty and satisfying – The combination of ground beef and green beans makes this dish filling enough to serve as a main, not just a side.
Flexible and forgiving – Easy to adjust the seasoning, spice level, or even swap proteins based on what you have on hand.

Recipe Ingredients

Green beans and ground beef ingredients with labels.

Ingredient Notes

Green beans – Use fresh green beans for the best texture. Trim the ends and cut them into even lengths so they cook quickly and stay crisp during stir-frying.

Ground beef – Any regular ground beef works well here. If using a fattier cut, drain excess oil after browning to keep the dish from becoming greasy.

Minced chili (optional) – Adds a gentle heat to the dish. For a milder stir fry, remove the chili seeds or reduce the amount, or skip it entirely if cooking for kids or spice-sensitive eaters.

Soy sauce – Provides the main savory seasoning. Use light soy sauce for balance; reduce the amount slightly if using a saltier brand.

Oyster sauce – Adds depth and a touch of sweetness that complements both the beef and green beans.

Cornstarch – Helps thicken the sauce so it coats the ingredients nicely without being watery.

Mushroom powder – Optional but recommended for extra umami. You can substitute with chicken powder or simply leave it out.

Salt and pepper – Adjust to taste, especially after adding soy sauce and oyster sauce.

Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below

How to Make Green Beans and Ground Beef Stir Fry

Step by step photos of stir frying green beans and ground beef.

STEP 1. Sear the green beans. Heat 1–2 tbsp oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the green beans and stir-fry for about 1 minute, until they turn brighter green and start to wrinkle slightly (Images 1, 2). Remove and set aside.

STEP 2. Cook the aromatics and beef. In the same pan (use the same oil), sauté the minced garlic until fragrant and lightly golden (Image 3). Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula. Stir-fry until the beef is mostly cooked through and no longer pink (Image 4).

Step by step photos of seasoning green beans and ground beef stir fry.

STEP 3. Season and thicken the sauce. Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, a pinch of salt and pepper, and minced chili (if using) (Image 5). Stir to coat the beef evenly. Pour in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and cook for 30–60 seconds until the sauce thickens and clings to the beef (Image 6).

STEP 4. Toss everything together. Return the green beans to the pan (Image 7) and stir-fry for another 1–2 minutes, until everything is well coated and the beans are tender-crisp (Image 8). Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Pro Tips

Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying the green beans – Frying the green beans briefly in hot oil helps them wrinkle and stay crisp. If the pan is too crowded, they’ll steam instead of sear.
Use the same oil for extra flavor – After frying the green beans, keep the oil in the pan to sauté the garlic. It carries the flavor forward and builds a richer base for the stir fry.
Watch the garlic carefully – Let the garlic turn lightly golden and fragrant before adding the beef, but don’t let it burn or the dish can turn bitter.
Break up the ground beef well – Use a spatula to separate the beef into small pieces so it cooks evenly and coats better with the sauce.
Add the cornstarch slurry gradually – Pour in the slurry while stirring and let it simmer briefly. The sauce should cling to the beef, not pool at the bottom of the pan.
Add green beans back at the end – This keeps them tender-crisp and prevents them from turning soft or mushy.
Adjust heat to taste – Remove chili seeds for mild heat, or skip the chili entirely if you prefer a non-spicy stir fry.

Serving Suggestions

This green beans and ground beef stir fry is best served hot with steamed white rice, which soaks up all the savory sauce beautifully. For a more complete meal, pair it with a lighter side dish to balance the flavors.

It goes especially well with spinach tofu or egg drop soup for something mild and comforting. If you’re in the mood for more variety, add chive eggs, hong shao rou, Cantonese steamed fish, or pork shrimp egg foo young to the table for an extra protein-rich dish that still keeps the meal simple and homey.

Green Beans and Ground Beef Stir Fry FAQs

Can I use frozen green beans for this stir fry?

Yes, but fresh green beans give the best texture. If using frozen green beans, thaw and pat them dry first, then stir-fry over high heat to remove excess moisture before combining with the beef.

What type of ground beef works best for green beans stir fry?

Regular ground beef works well for this recipe. If using a fattier cut, drain excess oil after browning so the dish doesn’t become greasy.

How do I keep green beans crisp in a stir fry?

Stir-fry the green beans briefly in hot oil first, then remove them from the pan. Adding them back at the end helps keep them tender-crisp instead of soft.

Can I substitute ground beef with another protein?

Absolutely. Ground pork, ground chicken, or even crumbled tofu can be used as substitutes. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the protein.

Can I make this green beans and ground beef recipe less spicy?

Yes. The minced chili is optional. To reduce heat, remove the chili seeds or skip the chili entirely, the dish will still be flavorful.

Storage

Store any leftover green beans and ground beef stir fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let the dish cool completely before storing to maintain the best texture.

To reheat, warm it in a pan over medium heat with a small splash of water to loosen the sauce, or microwave until heated through. The green beans will soften slightly after storing but will still be flavorful.