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Budget-Friendly Crispy Ground Beef Fried Rice

budget-friendly crispy ground beef fried rice - featured image
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A quick and easy fried rice recipe using ground beef and leftover rice, delivering crispy texture and savory flavor with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 pound (225g) ground beef (80/20 or lean)
  • 2 cups (400g) cooked white rice, chilled
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola or sunflower oil)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup (75g) frozen peas and carrots
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium optional)
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 stalks green onions, sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook and chill the rice: If you don’t have leftover rice, cook 1 cup (200g) uncooked white rice according to package instructions. Spread it on a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to dry out.
  2. Brown the ground beef: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart, until browned with crispy edges, about 5-7 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Remove beef and set aside, leaving fat in pan.
  3. Sauté aromatics and veggies: Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Cook chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in frozen peas and carrots and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add the rice: Increase heat to medium-high. Add chilled rice, distribute evenly, and press down slightly. Let cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to form a crispy crust. Stir and repeat a couple times until rice is a mix of crispy and tender.
  5. Return beef and season: Add browned beef back to pan. Pour in soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), and drizzle sesame oil. Stir well and cook for 2 more minutes to meld flavors.
  6. Finish with green onions: Stir in sliced green onions just before serving.

Notes

Use day-old or chilled rice for best crispy texture. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming. Use neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable or canola oil. Let rice sit undisturbed to develop a crust. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari. Variations include swapping beef for tofu or tempeh for vegetarian or vegan options.

Nutrition

Keywords: fried rice, ground beef, crispy rice, budget-friendly, quick dinner, easy recipe, leftover rice, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/budget-friendly-crispy-ground-beef-fried-rice-recipe-easy-step-by-step-guide/