Name: Hamburger Stir-Fry recipe
Ingredients: Ground Beef: 1 pound (450g) lean ground beef (80/20 or leaner is recommended). Lean ground beef prevents excess grease in your stir-fry, keeping it healthier and lighter. You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken as a leaner alternative if preferred.; Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola, peanut, or avocado oil work well). Vegetable oil is ideal for stir-frying due to its high smoke point, allowing you to cook at high temperatures without the oil burning.; Onion: 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced. Yellow onion provides a foundational savory flavor to the stir-fry. You can also use white or red onion depending on your preference.; Garlic: 3-4 cloves garlic, minced. Fresh garlic is essential for that pungent, aromatic flavor that is characteristic of stir-fries. Use a garlic press or mince finely for even distribution of flavor.; Ginger: 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated or minced. Fresh ginger adds a warm, spicy, and slightly citrusy note that complements the other flavors beautifully. Peel the ginger before grating or mincing.; Broccoli Florets: 2 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces. Broccoli adds a healthy dose of vitamins and a satisfying crunch to the stir-fry. You can use fresh or frozen broccoli florets (thawed).; Carrots: 1 cup carrots, julienned or thinly sliced. Carrots provide sweetness, color, and a pleasant texture to the stir-fry. Peel the carrots before julienning or slicing.; Bell Peppers: 1 red bell pepper and 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced. Bell peppers contribute sweetness, vibrant color, and a slightly sweet and slightly bitter flavor profile. You can use any color bell pepper you prefer – yellow, orange, or even purple would work wonderfully.; Snap Peas or Snow Peas: 1 cup snap peas or snow peas, trimmed. Snap peas and snow peas offer a delightful crispness and sweetness to the stir-fry. Trim the ends of the peas before adding them.; Soy Sauce: 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce. Low-sodium soy sauce provides the umami and salty base for the stir-fry sauce. Using low-sodium helps control the overall saltiness of the dish.; Oyster Sauce (Optional): 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (or hoisin sauce for a vegetarian option). Oyster sauce adds a depth of savory, umami flavor that enhances the complexity of the sauce. Hoisin sauce provides a similar, albeit slightly sweeter, flavor profile as a vegetarian alternative.; Rice Vinegar: 2 tablespoons rice vinegar. Rice vinegar adds a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce, contributing to a well-rounded flavor.; Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Sesame oil provides a distinctive nutty aroma and flavor that is crucial for authentic stir-fry taste. Use toasted sesame oil for the best flavor.; Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent for the sauce, creating a glossy and flavorful coating for the stir-fry ingredients.; Water: 1/4 cup water. Water is used to thin the sauce and ensure it coats all the ingredients evenly.; Brown Sugar (Optional): 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or honey or maple syrup). Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory and salty flavors. You can adjust the amount to your preference or use honey or maple syrup as alternatives.; Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste). Red pepper flakes add a touch of heat to the stir-fry. Adjust the amount based on your spice preference or omit entirely if you prefer a milder flavor.; Sesame Seeds (for garnish): 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (toasted, optional). Sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and visual appeal as a garnish. Toasting them enhances their flavor.; Green Onions (for garnish): 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish). Green onions add a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color as a garnish.

Ingredients

- Ground Beef: 1 pound (450g) lean ground beef (80/20 or leaner is recommended). Lean ground beef prevents excess grease in your stir-fry, keeping it healthier and lighter. You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken as a leaner alternative if preferred.

- Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola, peanut, or avocado oil work well). Vegetable oil is ideal for stir-frying due to its high smoke point, allowing you to cook at high temperatures without the oil burning.

- Onion: 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced. Yellow onion provides a foundational savory flavor to the stir-fry. You can also use white or red onion depending on your preference.

- Garlic: 3-4 cloves garlic, minced. Fresh garlic is essential for that pungent, aromatic flavor that is characteristic of stir-fries. Use a garlic press or mince finely for even distribution of flavor.

- Ginger: 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated or minced. Fresh ginger adds a warm, spicy, and slightly citrusy note that complements the other flavors beautifully. Peel the ginger before grating or mincing.

- Broccoli Florets: 2 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces. Broccoli adds a healthy dose of vitamins and a satisfying crunch to the stir-fry. You can use fresh or frozen broccoli florets (thawed).

- Carrots: 1 cup carrots, julienned or thinly sliced. Carrots provide sweetness, color, and a pleasant texture to the stir-fry. Peel the carrots before julienning or slicing.

- Bell Peppers: 1 red bell pepper and 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced. Bell peppers contribute sweetness, vibrant color, and a slightly sweet and slightly bitter flavor profile. You can use any color bell pepper you prefer – yellow, orange, or even purple would work wonderfully.

- Snap Peas or Snow Peas: 1 cup snap peas or snow peas, trimmed. Snap peas and snow peas offer a delightful crispness and sweetness to the stir-fry. Trim the ends of the peas before adding them.

- Soy Sauce: 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce. Low-sodium soy sauce provides the umami and salty base for the stir-fry sauce. Using low-sodium helps control the overall saltiness of the dish.

- Oyster Sauce (Optional): 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (or hoisin sauce for a vegetarian option). Oyster sauce adds a depth of savory, umami flavor that enhances the complexity of the sauce. Hoisin sauce provides a similar, albeit slightly sweeter, flavor profile as a vegetarian alternative.

- Rice Vinegar: 2 tablespoons rice vinegar. Rice vinegar adds a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce, contributing to a well-rounded flavor.

- Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Sesame oil provides a distinctive nutty aroma and flavor that is crucial for authentic stir-fry taste. Use toasted sesame oil for the best flavor.

- Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent for the sauce, creating a glossy and flavorful coating for the stir-fry ingredients.

- Water: 1/4 cup water. Water is used to thin the sauce and ensure it coats all the ingredients evenly.

- Brown Sugar (Optional): 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or honey or maple syrup). Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory and salty flavors. You can adjust the amount to your preference or use honey or maple syrup as alternatives.

- Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste). Red pepper flakes add a touch of heat to the stir-fry. Adjust the amount based on your spice preference or omit entirely if you prefer a milder flavor.

- Sesame Seeds (for garnish): 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (toasted, optional). Sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and visual appeal as a garnish. Toasting them enhances their flavor.

- Green Onions (for garnish): 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish). Green onions add a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color as a garnish.

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, water, and brown sugar (if using).

- Whisk until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and the sauce is smooth.

- Set the sauce aside. This allows the flavors to meld while you prepare the other ingredients.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Ensure the skillet or wok is sufficiently heated before adding the beef to prevent sticking and promote browning.

- Add the ground beef to the hot skillet and break it up with a spoon or spatula.

- Cook the ground beef, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease. Draining excess grease is important for a healthier stir-fry and prevents the dish from becoming oily.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables

- Push the cooked ground beef to one side of the skillet or wok.

- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the empty side of the skillet.

- Add the sliced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until softened and slightly translucent. Sautéing the onion first helps to mellow its flavor and release its sweetness.

- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and sauté for another minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic and ginger, as this can result in a bitter taste.

- Add the broccoli florets and carrots to the skillet and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until slightly tender-crisp. Stir-frying the denser vegetables like broccoli and carrots first ensures they cook through properly.

- Add the sliced bell peppers and snap peas (or snow peas) to the skillet and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp and vibrant in color. The goal is to keep the vegetables slightly crisp-tender, not overcooked and mushy.

Step 4: Combine and Simmer

- Pour the prepared sauce over the ground beef and vegetables in the skillet.

- Stir everything together to ensure the sauce evenly coats all the ingredients.

- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly and become glossy. The cornstarch in the sauce will activate as it heats, thickening the sauce to a desirable consistency.

- Stir in the red pepper flakes (if using) for a touch of heat.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

- Remove the Hamburger Stir-Fry from the heat.

- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

- Serve immediately over cooked rice, noodles, quinoa, or your preferred grain. Serving immediately ensures the stir-fry is at its peak flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 450-550 kcal
Sugar: 10-15g
Sodium: 600-800mg
Fat: 25-30g
Saturated Fat: 8-10g
Unsaturated Fat: 15-20g
Carbohydrates: 30-40g
Fiber: 5-7g
Protein: 30-35g
Cholesterol: 90-110mg