Carmelized Ground Beef with Rice

One of my favorite fast recipes. It’s great when you’re working long days out in the field and then still have to come home and cook.

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 lb. ground beef (preferably 80/20)

1 Tbsp. grated ginger

1 Tbsp. minced garlic, from about 4 cloves

3 Tbsp. soy sauce

2 Tbsp. agave syrup (or any sweetener you prefer)

2 Tbsp. sesame oil

Kosher salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cooked rice, for serving

Optional toppings: chopped scallion greens or cilantro, toasted sesame seeds, sliced radishes, cucumbers, red onions, or tomatoes

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. When the oil is hot (rippling, but not smoking), add ground beef broken into small 2-inch clumps and with a little space between each piece. Don’t stir! Wait until the bottoms are dark brown and crisp, about 2 minutes. Flip and brown other side, about 2 minutes. Using the side of a spatula or large spoon, break meat apart into small pieces. Continue cooking until no longer pink, about 1 minute.

Step 2

Add ginger and garlic. Continue stirring for 30 seconds.

Step 3

Stir in soy sauce and agave syrup, scraping the dark bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.

Step 4

Remove skillet off the heat. Drizzle sesame oil and adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with cooked rice and sprinkle with any of the optional toppings, if you’d like. #dinner #fast #bluecollar #mealprep