Honey Garlic Beef
Equipment
Ingredients
Beef & Sauce
- 8 oz ground beef, I used 90/10
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1½ tbsp honey
Optional Garnishes
- Sesame seeds
- Scallions
- Fried egg
Instructions
- Heat a pan with a little oil and add the ground beef. Break it apart and let it sear undisturbed for 2 minutes, then stir and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add in dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and honey. Cook on high heat for about 3 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
- Serve the beef over a fresh bowl of rice. Optionally garnish with sesame seeds, scallions, and a fried egg.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Why I Always Keep Honey Garlic Beef On Standby
When I don’t know what to cook, ground beef is always my default, especially this Honey Garlic Beef, I can’t help it! I love to use ground beef because it’s fast, absorbs any flavor sauce you place in it, and doesn’t need to be marinated or tenderized for long periods of time. When you make a sauce as delicious as this honey garlic sauce, the beef absorbs all the flavors and makes it taste so much better than using just salt and pepper. This Honey Garlic Beef has become one of my top emergency weeknight meals, which happens basically every week!
Garlic Lovers, This One’s for You
If you’ve ever doubled the garlic in a recipe and still thought “it could use more,” this dish doesn’t do that, unless you’re in the top .01% of garlic fanatics! What makes this garlic in the sauce so special is that it caramelizes in the honey and soy sauce, which makes it sticky and rich without being super overpowering. And since the whole thing cooks in under 15 minutes, it’s perfect for those nights where you want a lot of flavor with zero patience required.
What You’ll Need to Make Honey Garlic Beef
Beef & Sauce Ingredients
- 8 oz ground beef
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 4–5 cloves garlic, finely minced (or more if you love garlic)
- 1½ tbsp honey
Optional Garnishes
- Sesame seeds
- Scallions
- Fried egg
How to Make Honey Garlic Beef
Heat a pan over medium-high and add a little oil. Toss in the ground beef and break it apart. Let it sear undisturbed for 2 minutes so it gets some browning, then stir and cook another 2 minutes.
Add in the dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and honey.
Turn the heat to high and stir-fry everything together for about 3 more minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
Serve over a fresh bowl of hot rice. Optionally garnish with sesame seeds, scallions, and a fried egg.
Tips & Variations
- If you’re short on time, jarred garlic works, but fresh garlic gives the best flavor and doesn’t have that preservative flavor.
- If you prefer you dishes to be a little spicier, feel free to add a tablespoon chili flakes, chili crisp, or a squirt of sriracha to the sauce.
- Add in some spinach, bok choy, or broccoli for a complete meal with all the nutrients 🙂
- I like to double up on the recipe a lot of times to eat for lunch the next day or anytime throughout the week. It’s the perfect dish for meal prep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different protein?
Yes! Ground chicken, turkey, or pork all work just as well, just keep an eye on fat content and adjust seasoning to taste.
What’s the difference between dark and light soy sauce?
Dark soy saice is richer, slightly thicker, and adds color and deeper flavor. Light soy sauce is saltier and more intense. Using both gives a more layered taste.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, and it reheats super well, it tastes just like the day you made it! Just store it in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in a pan or microwave.
Try These Next
• Craving more sweet and salty? You’ll love my Yakiniku Bowl.
• Want more ground beef recipes? Try my Japanese BBQ Beef.
• Don’t want any rice? Check out my Garlic Beef Noodles.
