Honey Sesame Beef Mince Stir Fry
When you need dinner on the table fast, you cannot beat a speedy stir fry. This Honey Sesame Beef Mince Stir Fry is one of my go-to weeknight meals. It is quick, flavour-packed and made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Sweet, savoury and a little bit sticky, it is the kind of easy meal that always hits the spot after a busy day.
Recipe Snapshot
A Quick and Easy Beef Mince Stir Fry
If you are looking for new ways to use mince in your weekly meal plan, this recipe is a total winner. Using beef mince instead of slices of steak keeps things budget-friendly while still delivering that satisfying stir fry texture and flavour.
The honey sesame sauce brings everything together. Pair it with rice, noodles or even lettuce wraps for a light and tasty dinner.
The best part? You can have this meal on the table in under 30 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to cook: Ready in less than 30 minutes – perfect for midweek dinners.
- Budget-friendly: Uses simple, affordable ingredients like beef mince.
- Big on flavour: Sweet, savoury, garlicky and full of umami.
- Family-friendly: Everyone loves this sticky, saucy stir fry.
- Versatile: Serve with rice, noodles or lettuce cups.
Ingredients
Full ingredients list with quantities is included in the recipe card below. These are some helpful notes about the main ingredients including some swaps and substitutes where applicable.
- Beef Mince – I prefer 5% fat. You can also use turkey or vegetarian mince.
- Red pepper, courgette and red onion – all optional, but I like to dice these up and add to the stir fry as ‘hidden veg’ – excellent for bulking out the mince as well as satisfying any picky eaters in the family. Feel free to omit or swap as you like. Some peas and/or finely chopped green beans would also go well.
- Garlic and Ginger – use fresh, frozen or paste. Top tip – keep fresh whole ginger in the freezer and grate a portion when needed. No need to peel or thaw
- Stir Fry Sauce – tomato puree, sesame oil, soy sauce (can use low sodium), honey and a beef stock cube (or vegetable if doing a veggie version). These get mixed together with hot water and poured into the beef to make a sweet sesame sauce.
- Optional – gochujang or sweet chilli sauce – to add some subtle heat.
Tips for the Best Beef Mince Stir Fry
For the most flavourful result, cook the mince until browned and a little crispy around the edges – this is where all the taste comes from. A hot pan is key!
Do not skip the sesame oil if you can help it – it adds that signature nutty depth that makes the sauce shine. And if you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of chilli flakes or a drizzle of sriracha before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This Honey Sesame Beef Mince Stir Fry is delicious served over rice or noodles, but it is also great spooned into lettuce cups or even tacos for a fun twist. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or thinly sliced spring onions for a little extra crunch.
I also recommend serving with wok fried vegetables like broccoli, bok choi or green beans to bulk it up and add colour. It is a great way to use up whatever veg is in your fridge.
Leftovers keep well too – perfect for meal prep or an easy lunch the next day.
Got Leftovers?
Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to cool and transfer to a freezer safe container. I use these ziploc freezer bags to freeze in portions. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
Reheat on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water until piping hot.
More Easy Stir Fry Recipes
If you love simple, speedy dinners like this, try these next:
- Chicken Teriyaki Noodle Stir Fry – sweet, sticky and ready in minutes.
- Salmon Egg Fried Rice – my number one speedy dinner.
- Smoked Sausage Stir Fry – beats ordering a take away.
An Easy Weeknight Favourite
This Honey Sesame Beef Mince Stir Fry is everything you want in a weeknight meal – fast, flavourful and totally satisfying. Once you try it, it will definitely become a regular in your dinner rotation.
I hope you like this recipe as much as I do!
Don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment if you make it.
Your feedback is really important and helps me keep making recipes you love!
The Recipe
Honey Sesame Beef Mince Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 500 grams beef mince
- 1 Red onion diced
- 1 courgette diced
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 2 tsp garlic paste or diced cloves
- 2 tsp ginger paste or grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp vegetable or neutral cooking oil
Stir Fry Sauce
- 250 ml boiling water
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp soy sauce all purpose or light soy
- 1 tbsp gochujang or sweet chilli sauce optional
- 1 beef stock cube
To serve
- Rice or noodles
- Sesame seeds
- Broccoli
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pan and add the diced onion, courgette and peppers. Cook for about five minutes until just softening.
- Add the beef mince and continue cooking until it is browned all over, breaking up with a spatula as it cooks.
- Stir in the garlic and ginger.
- While the beef is cooking, make the sauce by combining all the ingredients in a jug and mixing until dissolved. Pour the sauce over the beef, stir well and simmer gently for 10-15 mins while you prepare any sides.
- Serve with rice or noodles, optional extra wok fried greens and garnish with sesame seeds or sliced spring onion.
