Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry with Spicy Ground Beef
A quick, keto-friendly stir-fry featuring tender zucchini noodles and bold, spicy ground beef for a flavorful low-carb dinner. This asian fusion-inspired keto (keto, low carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground beef, soy sauce (or tamari), sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 lb ground beef
- 3 medium, spiralized into noodles zucchini
- 3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, freshly grated ginger
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 2, thinly sliced green onions
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and 1/2 tsp salt, breaking the meat apart with a spatula. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger, and 1 tsp red chili flakes to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp sesame oil, mixing well with the beef.
- Step 4: Add 3 spiralized medium zucchinis and toss gently to combine. Cook for 3-4 minutes until noodles are just tender but still have a slight bite.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 thinly sliced green onions before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry with Spicy Ground Beef take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry with Spicy Ground Beef?
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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry with Spicy Ground Beef?
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 Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry with Spicy Ground Beef 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.
Is Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry with Spicy Ground Beef keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.