Energy-Boosting Beef & Vegetable Stir-Fry

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A balanced stir-fry with lean beef and vibrant vegetables to sustain energy levels, featuring a tangy coconut aminos glaze and quick-cooking zucchini. This asian-inspired whole30 (low carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs ounces lean ground beef, tablespoons coconut aminos, tablespoon rice vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 256 calories and feeds 2, 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.

★ 3.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Asian cuisine 256 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons coconut aminos, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and 1 teaspoon grated ginger; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Step 3: Add 8 ounces lean ground beef and cook, breaking into small pieces, for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through; season with salt and pepper.
  4. Step 4: Push beef to one side, add 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms and 1/2 medium sliced red bell pepper to the empty side; cook for 3 minutes until peppers are slightly softened.
  5. Step 5: Add 1 medium sliced zucchini and the coconut aminos mixture; stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until zucchini is tender-crisp and sauce coats the vegetables thickly.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Energy-Boosting Beef & Vegetable Stir-Fry take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Energy-Boosting Beef & Vegetable Stir-Fry?

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 ounces lean ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Energy-Boosting Beef & Vegetable Stir-Fry?

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 Energy-Boosting Beef & Vegetable Stir-Fry for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.

Is Energy-Boosting Beef & Vegetable Stir-Fry low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying