Cumin-Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Tomatoes
A savory stir-fry featuring ground beef, vibrant tomatoes, and warm cumin, perfect over zucchini noodles. This american-inspired beef ready in about 27 minutes pairs pound ground beef, medium bell peppers, medium onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium bell peppers
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Finely chop bell peppers and onion. Mince garlic. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add ground beef, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 minutes until browned, then stir in 1 teaspoon cumin, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt.
- Step 3: Add chopped bell peppers and onion, cooking for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 cups cherry tomatoes and cook for 4 more minutes until tomatoes are slightly broken down and juices have reduced slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cumin-Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cumin-Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Tomatoes?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pound ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cumin-Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Tomatoes?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cumin-Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Tomatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cumin-Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Tomatoes?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a quick dinner. The tomatoes added a nice tang. My kids even ate it without complaining!
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious. I'll be making this again and again. The cumin really shines.
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a winner! The cumin and tomatoes complement the beef so well. Made it for my family and they loved it.
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