When we’re craving comfort food that doesn’t expensive, green beans and ground beef delivers every single time. This hearty one-pot wonder transforms simple pantry staples into a satisfying meal that’ll have your family asking for seconds. We’ve perfected this recipe to balance tender-crisp green beans with perfectly seasoned ground beef in a savory sauce that brings everything together.
What makes this dish so irresistible? It’s the way the beef absorbs all those incredible flavors while the green beans maintain their vibrant color and slight crunch. We love how this recipe works for busy weeknights when you need something quick yet substantial.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or meal prepping for the week ahead, this green beans and ground beef recipe proves that simple ingredients can create extraordinary results. Ready to discover why this humble combination has been winning dinner tables for generations?
Ingredients
We keep this recipe simple with pantry staples and fresh ingredients that work together to create maximum flavor. Our ingredient list focuses on quality basics that deliver satisfying results every time.
For the Ground Beef
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend preferred)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
For the Green Beans
- 1½ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed (optional)
Seasonings and Aromatics
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Equipment Needed
Creating this delicious green beans and ground beef recipe requires essential cookware that most home kitchens already have. We’ll guide you through each piece of equipment needed to ensure your cooking process runs smoothly.
Medium to Large Sauté Pan or Skillet serves as our primary cooking vessel for browning the ground beef and sautéing the green beans. The generous surface area allows proper heat distribution and prevents overcrowding.
Mixing Bowls become crucial for marinating the ground beef in our flavorful sauce mixture. We recommend having at least two bowls on hand for efficient preparation.
Measuring Spoons and Cups ensure precise ingredient ratios for consistent results every time. Accurate measurements make the difference between good and exceptional flavor development.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula helps us stir ingredients thoroughly and break up the ground beef as it cooks. These tools prevent scratching on non-stick surfaces while providing excellent control.
Sharp Knife and Cutting Board allow us to trim and slice the green beans into uniform pieces. Consistent sizing ensures even cooking throughout the dish.
Grater or Microplane proves invaluable for fresh ginger preparation, though this remains optional. Fresh grated ginger releases more aromatic oils than pre-minced alternatives.
Stove or Cooktop provides the heat source necessary for our cooking process. Medium to high heat settings work best for achieving proper searing and vegetable texture.
Having these tools ready before starting streamlines our cooking process and helps maintain the proper timing that makes this recipe successful.
Prep Work
Proper preparation sets the foundation for our delicious green beans and ground beef dish. We’ll tackle each component separately to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor development.
Preparing the Green Beans
We start by trimming both ends of our green beans with a sharp knife and cutting them into uniform 1-2 inch pieces. This consistent sizing ensures even cooking throughout the dish.
Heat one tablespoon of neutral oil in our skillet over medium-high heat. Add the prepared green beans to the hot oil and cook for 3-4 minutes until they become tender yet maintain their crisp texture. We want them bright green and slightly charred for optimal flavor and visual appeal.
Remove the cooked green beans from the skillet and set them aside on a plate. This step prevents overcooking while we prepare the ground beef component.
Preparing the Ground Beef
For enhanced flavor we can create an optional marinade by whisking together the soy sauce brown sugar chili garlic sauce and grated ginger in a mixing bowl. Add the ground beef to this mixture and let it marinate for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
Heat our skillet again with a small amount of oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef to the hot skillet breaking it into small uniform pieces with our wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks.
Cook the beef until it develops a rich brown color on all sides which typically takes 5-7 minutes. We’re looking for proper browning that creates deeper flavors through the Maillard reaction while ensuring the meat is fully cooked through.
Instructions
Now that we have our ingredients prepped and equipment ready, let’s walk through the cooking process step by step. This method ensures perfectly cooked beef and tender-crisp green beans every time.
Cooking the Ground Beef
We start by heating our pan over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of oil. Add the ground beef to the hot pan and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, breaking it up with our wooden spoon as it browns. The beef should be fully cooked and nicely browned before we move to the next step.
If we chose to marinate our beef beforehand, we’ll notice enhanced flavors developing during this cooking phase. The key is maintaining medium-high heat to achieve proper browning without overcooking the meat.
Adding the Green Beans
Once our beef is browned, we can either use the same pan or transfer to a separate skillet for the green beans. Add the trimmed and cut green beans to the pan with a bit of oil and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until they begin to blister and become crisp-tender.
During this step, we add our aromatics like minced garlic, ginger, or red pepper flakes to infuse extra flavor into the beans. The beans should maintain their vibrant color and slight crunch when properly cooked.
After the green beans reach the desired texture, we combine them back with our browned ground beef in the main cooking pan.
Seasoning and Simmering
With our beef and green beans combined, we add our seasoning mixture including soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and chili garlic sauce. These ingredients create the savory sauce that ties the dish together.
We simmer the mixture for 2 to 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld while excess moisture evaporates. This brief cooking time ensures our green beans don’t become overcooked while the sauce reduces to the perfect consistency.
Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed during this final cooking phase.
Final Assembly
We serve our finished green beans and ground beef mixture hot over steamed white rice or in lettuce cups for a lighter presentation. The dish should have a glossy appearance from the sauce and vibrant green color from the properly cooked beans.
For our final garnish, we sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or fresh scallions over the top. These additions provide textural contrast and fresh flavor that complement the rich, savory base of our dish.
Cooking Tips and Variations
We’ve discovered several ways to customize this dish and make your cooking experience more efficient. These techniques will help you achieve consistent results while adapting the recipe to your preferences.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Marinating the ground beef ahead of time transforms the flavor profile completely. We recommend combining the beef with soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, and chili garlic sauce up to 24 hours before cooking. This extended marination period allows the meat to absorb all the savory elements thoroughly.
The complete dish can be prepared in advance and stored properly for later use. After cooking the green beans and ground beef mixture, we allow it to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Refrigeration keeps the dish fresh and ready for quick reheating when needed.
Portioning the mixture into individual containers makes weekday meals effortless. We often prepare double batches on weekends to have ready-made dinners throughout the busy week.
Storage and Reheating
Proper storage extends the life of your green beans and ground beef dish significantly. Refrigerated leftovers remain fresh in airtight containers for 3-4 days when stored at consistent temperatures below 40°F.
| Storage Method | Duration | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 3-4 days | Below 40°F |
| Freezer | 2 months | 0°F or below |
Reheating requires gentle heat to maintain the texture of both the green beans and ground beef. We prefer using medium heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally until heated through. Microwave reheating works well for individual portions, using 30-second intervals to prevent overcooking.
The sauce may thicken during storage, but adding a splash of water or beef broth during reheating restores the original consistency. We avoid high heat during reheating to prevent the green beans from becoming mushy.
Freezing extends storage time up to 2 months for this dish. Thawing overnight in the refrigerator before reheating ensures even temperature distribution and maintains the best texture throughout the mixture.
Serving Suggestions
We recommend serving this savory green beans and ground beef dish over steamed white rice to soak up all the flavorful sauce. The rice provides a neutral base that allows the bold Asian-inspired flavors to shine through while creating a satisfying and complete meal.
Lettuce cups offer an excellent low-carb alternative that adds fresh crunch to every bite. We particularly love using butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce leaves as natural bowls for the beef and green bean mixture. This serving method transforms the dish into an interactive meal that’s perfect for family dinners or casual entertaining.
For enhanced texture and visual appeal we suggest garnishing with toasted sesame seeds that add a nutty flavor and delightful crunch. Chopped scallions provide a fresh onion bite that brightens the overall dish while adding vibrant green color.
Steamed jasmine rice works beautifully as another rice option since its aromatic qualities complement the ginger and garlic in our recipe. We also enjoy serving this dish over quinoa for added protein and a slightly nuttier flavor profile that pairs well with the savory sauce.
Fried rice creates an indulgent twist that turns this into an even heartier meal. The crispy rice grains absorb the sauce while adding their own toasted flavor to the combination.
A sprinkle of red pepper flakes appeals to those who prefer extra heat and adds beautiful color contrast to the finished plate. We find that even a small amount elevates the dish’s complexity without overwhelming the other flavors.
For variety we sometimes serve this mixture over rice noodles or lo mein noodles which creates an entirely different texture experience while maintaining the same satisfying flavors. The noodles twist around the green beans and beef creating perfect bites every time.
Conclusion
This green beans and ground beef recipe proves that exceptional meals don’t require complicated techniques or expensive ingredients. We’ve shown you how to transform simple pantry staples into a satisfying dish that’ll become a regular in your meal rotation.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility – whether you’re feeding a family on a budget or meal prepping for the week ahead it delivers every time. The combination of tender-crisp vegetables and perfectly seasoned beef creates a balance that’s both nutritious and delicious.
We encourage you to make this recipe your own by experimenting with different serving suggestions and variations. From rice bowls to lettuce wraps each approach offers a fresh way to enjoy this timeless comfort food combination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes green beans and ground beef a good weeknight meal?
This dish is perfect for busy weeknights because it’s a one-pot meal that combines protein and vegetables in a savory sauce. It uses simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients, cooks quickly, and provides a hearty, budget-friendly dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
What are the essential ingredients for green beans and ground beef?
The key ingredients include ground beef, fresh green beans, olive oil, onion, garlic, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Essential seasonings are oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Optional additions include potatoes and fresh parsley for garnish.
What kitchen equipment do I need to make this recipe?
You’ll need a medium to large sauté pan or skillet, mixing bowls, measuring spoons and cups, a wooden spoon or spatula, a sharp knife, cutting board, and optionally a grater for fresh ginger. Most home kitchens already have these basic tools.
How should I prepare the green beans for cooking?
Trim the ends of the green beans and cut them into uniform pieces, about 1-2 inches long. This ensures even cooking. Sauté them in oil until they’re tender-crisp, maintaining their vibrant color and slight crunch for the best texture and appearance.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! You can marinate the ground beef up to 24 hours in advance for deeper flavor. The complete dish can be prepared and stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
What are the best ways to serve green beans and ground beef?
Serve over steamed white rice to absorb the flavorful sauce, or use lettuce cups for a low-carb option. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped scallions. Other great accompaniments include jasmine rice, quinoa, fried rice, or various noodles.
How do I reheat leftovers without overcooking the vegetables?
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave at reduced power. Add a splash of broth or water if needed to prevent sticking. Avoid high heat to maintain the green beans’ texture and prevent them from becoming mushy.
