Beef and Bean Stir Fry - Ground Beef replaces steak for a quick and tasty alternative in this Asian flavored dish.
I have some sad news. Half of my garden is in a poor state right now. Boo Hoo!
Before we even planted, we noticed a woodchuck skulking around our yard. We decided to get proactive and my husband put up a little fence to keep him out. I thought we were in the clear. The garden started to flourish and we were enjoying the fruits (vegetables to be accurate) of our labor. After only 2 zucchini were harvested, I started to notice the leaves were missing. Not on the ground, not dead, but GONE. Then, pretty quickly, my pea greens were sadly on the ground, no longer connected to each other. The final confirmation that we had a critter was finding 2 half eaten cucumbers on the ground.
We discovered a small hole had been dug from the woods next to our home, under our stockade fence and into our garden! My husband's makeshift fencing has kept him out on one side but we can't really do much about the other side of our stockade fence, which isn't our yard. We've tried to place big rocks there to block it but he just moves them. So sad to see all that work wasted.
I'm sure you are wondering why I am telling you this story. Well, because one of the things the woodchuck hasn't touched yet is my green beans. I guess he's not a fan. As soon as I harvested a decent amount of beans, I immediately knew what recipe I wanted to try.
I adore Asian flavors and I love substituting ground meat in most of the dishes I try. It's just easier and quicker. I found this recipe for Spicy Turkey and Green Bean Stir Fry on The Food Network and just had to adapt it. I turned my dish into a ground beef dish but by all means, if you want to lighten it up, use the turkey.
Have you had any experience with critters nibbling your garden? Any tips for me?
Printable Recipe Card
Beef and Bean Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1 ½ - 2 C chopped green beans
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 sweet onion sliced
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 T chili paste
- 1 C vegetable broth
- 2 T soy sauce
- 1 T rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Heat 1 T oil in large non stick skillet over medium/high heat. Add beans and sliced onions and cook 3-4 min, stirring a few times. Add garlic and cook 1-2 min more.
- Remove from pan and set aside.
- Return pan to medium/high heat. Add ground beef. Brown beef in pan. If needed, drain excess grease and then return beef to pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk together chili paste, vegetable broth, soy, sauce, rice vinegar and cornstarch.
- Pour soy/broth mixture into beef and return bean/onion mixture to pan as well. Stir well to combine everything. Cook, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens.
- Serve over rice or noodles.
Notes
Carlee says
Our garden is having a rough year this year too. A huge storm took out all of our tomatoes. Usually we keep the whole family supplied, now we all have to hit the farmers market! At least you got your beans and this looks like a delicious use for them!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks Carlee. I've been hitting the farmer's market hard this year. So expensive, but so worth it!
lizzy says
This is totally my kind of recipe!!! I love these dishes that are kind of one pot, throw together easy! this looks so yummy!
Laurie Bailey says
Making this tonight!
foodyschmoody says
Hope he likes it!
Debra @ Bowl me Over says
Ahhh!! That's too bad, growing a garden is so fun. At least you got to enjoy a few things before the havoc began. The recipes looks delicious!
Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets) says
Your woodchuck reminds me of our squirrels. We managed to get one fig from our fruit trees this year. I finally bought my son a slingshot....not that he has good aim, but it will keep my son entertained for a long time 🙂
foodyschmoody says
That is a great idea! For now we've spread cayenne pepper all along the perimeter of the outer fence and surprisingly he hasn't been back. Some of my veggies are actually bouncing back!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
So sorry about your garden. All that loving work and you lose your bounty. But happy to see the green beans survived. They are my favorite too. I love your adaptation using ground beef.
foodyschmoody says
Thanks, Michelle. I'm glad to report that since posting this, the critter seems to have moved on. The garden is actually making a come back. some of it anyway.
April J Harris says
I'm sorry to hear about your woodchuck but so pleased he left the green beans alone! Your beef and bean stir fry looks delicious and I love how you have used ground beef instead of steak. Thank you for sharing with us at Hearth and Soul. Pinned and shared 🙂
foodyschmoody says
Thanks! I'm glad to report, the woodchuck seems to have moved on and the garden is on it's way back!
Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3 says
This sounds delicious! I just pinned it and shared it with Kerry who's putting together her meal plan for the month-- this looks like a perfect addition!
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
I am so sorry to hear about your garden Christine, but am happy that the critter at least left your green beans alone. We love stir fries at my house and your version with the ground beef sounds wonderful!
Ashleigh says
I'm sorry about your garden 🙁 But this dish looks fantastic! And so simple! I love it - Maybe it'll take over the supper menu tonight 🙂