Thai-Inspired Peanut and Ground Beef Stir-Fry

This Thai-Inspired Peanut and Ground Beef Stir-Fry features a lively blend of flavors and textures that enhance your dinner routine. Central to the dish is thoroughly browned ground beef, sautéed with fragrant garlic and ginger for added richness. Colorful vegetables like thinly sliced red bell pepper, onion, and carrot contribute sweetness and crunch to every bite, making the dish both attractive and tasty.

The soul of the stir-fry is the creamy, nutty peanut sauce, which perfectly balances savory, sweet, and spicy notes. It’s made with peanut butter, fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and chili flakes, creating a bold, umami-rich flavor profile. As the sauce gently coats the beef and vegetables, it delivers a smooth, satisfying texture that brings everything together. At the same time, adding roasted peanuts introduces bursts of crunch, offering contrast in every bite.

What sets this dish apart is the thoughtful finishing touches. Freshly torn basil leaves add a fragrant herbal sweetness that complements the richness of the peanut sauce. Meanwhile, a squeeze of lime juice brightens the dish, cutting through the richness and adding a hint of citrusy tang. This interplay of flavors makes each bite well-rounded and deeply satisfying.

SUGGESTED RECIPE: Peanut Sauce Drizzled Charred Brussels Sprouts

Presented on a bed of steamed jasmine rice, this dish is complete. It’s topped with cilantro and lime wedges, adding a refreshing touch and inviting diners to customize the flavors to their preference. Whether entertaining guests or making a quick, cozy meal for yourself, this stir-fry is both comforting and vibrant, offering a taste of Thai-inspired cuisine with ease.

This dish is ideal for busy weeknights because it comes together quickly but offers layers of complexity generally associated with slow-cooked meals. You can customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of chili flakes, and it’s easily adaptable—swap in different vegetables or use ground chicken or pork for variety.

With its combination of savory peanut sauce, crunchy peanuts, tender beef, and fresh herbs, Thai-Inspired Peanut and Ground Beef Stir-Fry balances contrasting textures and flavors in every bite. It’s a familiar and exciting dish, making it a great way to explore bold flavors with everyday ingredients.

Thai-Inspired Peanut and Ground Beef Stir-Fry

Recipe by Kyle Taylor

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: MainsCuisine: AsianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Total time

30

minutes

This Thai-Inspired Peanut and Ground Beef Stir-Fry combines tender ground beef with vibrant vegetables in a creamy, nutty peanut sauce, finished with torn basil and a burst of fresh lime juice. Served over jasmine rice and garnished with roasted peanuts and cilantro, this quick and flavorful dish balances savory, sweet, and spicy notes in every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1 small onion, thinly sliced

• 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 1 small carrot, julienned

• 3 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon ginger, freshly grated

• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts

• 1/4 cup peanut butter

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon fish sauce

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1-2 tablespoons water

• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 1 lime, juiced

• 1/2 cup basil, torn

• for serving, jasmine rice

• for garnish, fresh cilantro

Directions

• Cook the Ground Beef:
  Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, 5-7 minutes.
• Add Aromatics and Vegetables:
  Push the beef to one side of the pan. Add the bell pepper, onion, and carrot and sauté for 3-4 minutes until tender. Stir in the garlic and ginger, and cook until soft and fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
• Make the Sauce:
  Whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, red pepper flakes, water, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust the water to reach a creamy consistency.
• Combine Everything:
  Pour the sauce over the stir-fry. Toss in the toasted peanuts and mix until everything is coated evenly. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  
  Remove the pan from heat. Squeeze in the lime juice and gently stir in the torn basil leaves to add brightness and freshness.
• Serve and Garnish:
  Serve the stir-fry over jasmine rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges for a burst of freshness.