Skip takeout and make ground beef fried rice at home. This quick one-pan dinner is full of flavor and surprisingly balanced — protein, vegetables, and satisfying carbs all in one skillet.
R.C.’s ⭐️ 5-star review — “So good and very easy!”
A healthy, one-pan dinner your family will love
- Made in one pan: Ready in about 30 minutes with minimal prep and easy cleanup — perfect for weeknights.
- Family-friendly: Comforting and familiar flavors that kids and adults enjoy, while still packing protein and veggies.
- Dietitian-approved: Balanced portions of lean protein, energy-providing carbs, and vegetables make this a sensible meal choice.
Key ingredients
- Oyster sauce: Adds a savory-sweet depth you won’t get from soy sauce alone. If you don’t have it, a splash more soy sauce will work.
- Lean ground beef: Keeps the dish hearty while limiting excess fat. It’s an easy source of flavor and protein.
- Cooked and cooled rice: Day-old or cooled rice gives the best texture — grains stay separate and slightly chewy instead of clumping.
Scroll to the recipe card for the full ingredient list, equipment, nutrition, and step-by-step instructions.
How to make beef fried rice
Step 1: Whisk together the sauce ingredients (soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, honey) and set aside.
Step 2: Scramble eggs in the pan, remove, and set aside.
Step 3: Brown the ground beef, then stir in garlic and frozen vegetables until heated through.
Step 4: Add rice, scrambled eggs, green onions, and sauce. Break up any rice clumps, then let the mixture toast and caramelize briefly for extra flavor.
Tips and tricks
This recipe is easy to adapt. A few simple tips will improve texture and flavor:
- Use the full sauce if possible: Oyster sauce and a touch of honey add complexity that plain soy sauce won’t provide.
- Use cooked, cooled rice: Prevents mushy results and helps the grains toast properly.
- Allow the rice to toast: Once everything is combined, let the pan sit undisturbed briefly to form small browned bits — they add great flavor.
Swap proteins, vegetables, or toppings to suit what you have on hand and still get a quick, satisfying meal in under 30 minutes.
More quick and easy dinner recipes
- Pizza beans
- Crispy beef tacos
- One-pan chicken sausage orzo
- Creamy slow cooker chicken chili
- Slow cooker honey garlic chicken
If you tried this ground beef fried rice, please leave a star rating and comment below!
Ground Beef Fried Rice
Equipment
- small bowl or measuring cup
- large sauté pan
Ingredients
Sauce
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce (low sodium if preferred)
- 1 1/2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp honey
Fried Rice
- 1 tsp butter
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, green beans)
- 1/2 cup frozen edamame, shelled
- 3 cups cooked and cooled rice (medium-grain preferred)
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
To serve
- sliced green onion
- sesame seeds
- chili crisp (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and honey in a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat.
- Add butter, then pour in the whisked eggs. Scramble for 1–2 minutes until set. Remove and set aside.
- Add ground beef to the pan and crumble as it cooks until mostly browned and in small pieces.
- Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add frozen vegetables and edamame plus half the sauce. Cover and cook 2–3 minutes until the vegetables are thawed.
- Return scrambled eggs to the pan and add rice, green onions, and the remaining sauce. Break up rice clumps and coat every grain with sauce, 1–2 minutes.
- Let the mixture cook undisturbed for 2 minutes to develop a light toast. Stir, scraping brown bits into the rice, and repeat 2–3 times until lightly caramelized.
- Turn off heat and serve topped with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and chili crisp if desired. Enjoy.
Notes
- Important: Use cooked, cooled rice for best texture. If you don’t have leftover rice, instant rice can be used in a pinch.
- If you don’t have oyster sauce, omit it and add an extra splash of soy sauce.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 44 g |
Protein: 34 g |
Fat: 18 g |
Sodium: 1093 mg
Nutrition information is an approximation and should be used as a guide.