Sweet Chili Ground Beef and Zucchini

Name: Sweet Chili Ground Beef and Zucchini
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 medium onion, diced; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp all-purpose seasoning; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 1 medium zucchini, chopped; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tsp sesame oil; 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce; cooked rice, for serving; crispy fried garlic, for garnish; green onions, sliced, for garnish; sriracha, for serving

This sweet chili ground beef and zucchini is a savory-sweet Asian-inspired stir-fry that comes together in minutes over rice, topped with crispy garlic and green onions for a weeknight dinner with restaurant-quality flavor.

🌍Asian-inspired 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Zucchini 🏷️Sweet chili 🏷️Rice bowl Weeknight dinner

🏷️

🏷️Quick meal

-0:00

britscookinonTikTok

Total

20 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by britscookin

-0:00

britscookinonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp all-purpose seasoning
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 medium zucchini, chopped
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
cooked rice, for serving
crispy fried garlic, for garnishoptional
green onions, sliced, for garnishoptional
sriracha, for servingoptional

14 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon.
2
Add the diced onion to the pot with the beef and cook until the onion is translucent.
3
Stir in the black pepper, garlic powder, and all-purpose seasoning.
4
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5
Add the chopped zucchini to the pot and cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften.
6
Pour in the soy sauce, sesame oil, and sweet chili sauce.
7
Stir everything together to combine and let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
8
Serve the ground beef and zucchini mixture over a bed of cooked rice.
9
Garnish with crispy fried garlic, sliced green onions, and a drizzle of sriracha, if desired.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Don't overcrowd the pan when browning ground beef—cook in batches if needed for better browning and flavor development.
Add zucchini after the beef has released its moisture; this prevents a watery sauce and keeps the zucchini slightly firm.
Taste and adjust sweetness at the end—some chili sauces vary in heat and sweetness, so a splash more soy sauce or a touch of sesame oil can balance the flavor.
Crisp the garlic and green onions just before serving to maintain their texture and prevent them from becoming limp.

Substitutions

Soy sauce → tamari (gluten-free) or coconut aminos (lower sodium, slightly sweet)
Sesame oil → neutral oil like vegetable or canola (less nutty flavor but still works)
Sweet chili sauce → sriracha mixed with a tablespoon of honey (spicier and thinner, so reduce quantity)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled beef and zucchini mixture in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat on the stovetop and top with fresh crispy garlic and green onions just before serving.

Common Questions

Can I make this ahead?

Yes. Cook the beef and zucchini mixture, cool completely, and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop before serving over fresh rice. Add crispy garlic and green onions after reheating.

What can I substitute for ground beef?

Ground turkey, ground pork, or ground chicken work well. Cooking time may vary slightly. For vegetarian, use crumbled tofu or mushrooms (finely diced).

How do I make the garlic crispy?

Slice or mince garlic thinly, then fry in a separate pan with a small amount of oil over medium heat until golden and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.

Can I use a different vegetable instead of zucchini?

Yes. Bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, or broccoli all work. Adjust cook time slightly—harder vegetables like carrots may need a minute or two longer.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Check your soy sauce and sweet chili sauce labels—most standard versions contain gluten. Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce and verified gluten-free chili sauce for a fully gluten-free meal.