Sweet, savoury, and just the right amount of heat—this Spicy Sticky Ground Beef is a flavour-packed, fuss-free dish. Minced beef is browned and simmered in a glossy sauce of soy, sriracha, maple syrup, and sweet chilli, with garlic and ginger adding warmth. Red bell pepper and carrot bring a hint of sweetness and a satisfying bite, making every mouthful rich, sticky, and completely irresistible.
Quick to make and easy to tweak, this dish delivers bold flavour with minimal effort. Adjust the spice, swap the protein, or add extra veg—whatever you choose, it’s a guaranteed weeknight winner.
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Calories in Spicy Sticky Ground Beef
This recipe serves 4 and is 253 calories per serving
If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of 200+ calorie recipes.
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie intake using a reliable calorie calculator. Please note that the calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Personalizing your calculations is essential to meet your individual needs. By using a calorie calculator, you can make informed choices and stay on track with your dietary goals.
See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.
Ingredients Notes
To make this recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- Ground beef – Rich and flavourful, it absorbs the sticky, spicy sauce beautifully. Opt for a leaner cut if you prefer less fat.
- Light soy sauce – Adds saltiness and depth without overpowering the dish.
- Dark soy sauce – Thicker and richer, it brings a deep colour and umami boost.
- Sweet Chilli sauce – Balances the heat with a touch of sweetness and a mild kick.
- Maple syrup – Enhances the caramelised, sticky texture while adding a natural sweetness.
- Rice vinegar – Cuts through the richness and helps balance the sweet and savoury elements.
- Tomato paste – Adds depth and a slight tang to round out the flavours.
- Water – Helps thin out the sauce so it coats the beef evenly.
- White pepper – A subtle hit of warmth that enhances the other spices.
- Sriracha – Brings a bold, spicy heat that can be adjusted to taste.
- Ginger – Fresh and slightly peppery, it lifts the dish with warmth and fragrance.
- Garlic – Infuses the sauce with a savoury depth that ties everything together.
Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.
Variations and Substitutes
This recipe is easy to customise based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. Whether you’re swapping proteins, adjusting the sweetness, or modifying the spice level, here are some simple ways to tweak the dish:
- Protein swaps – Ground turkey, chicken, or pork work just as well as beef. For a plant-based option, try crumbled tofu, lentils, or meat alternatives like plant-based mince.
- Soy sauce alternatives – Tamari is a great gluten-free option, while coconut aminos offer a milder, slightly sweeter alternative.
- Sweeteners – Honey can be used instead of maple syrup, offering a slightly floral sweetness, while brown sugar works well for a deeper caramel-like flavour. Zero calorie sweeteners are not recommended, as they won't produce the caramelization needed to make the sauce glossy and sticky.
- Vinegar options – Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can replace rice vinegar, though they may be slightly sharper.
- Adjusting the heat – Reduce or increase the sriracha based on preference, or swap it for gochujang or chilli flakes for a different kind of spice.
- Aromatics – Fresh ginger and garlic add the best flavour, but in a pinch, ground versions can be used—just reduce the amount to avoid overpowering the dish.
The Best Pan for Perfectly Caramelised Sticky Beef
A large stainless steel or non-stick pan is the best choice for achieving a rich, caramelised finish. The wide surface area allows the beef to sear properly, developing deep flavour while letting the sauce reduce to a thick, sticky glaze.
Using a pan that’s too small can cause overcrowding, trapping moisture and leading to steaming instead of browning. This prevents proper caramelisation and leaves the beef sitting in excess liquid rather than coating it in a glossy, flavour-packed sauce. For the best texture and depth of flavour, always opt for a pan that gives the ingredients plenty of space to cook evenly.
What to Serve with Spicy Sticky Ground Beef
This dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, making it easy to customise based on preference. The rich, savoury sauce works well with rice, noodles, or extra veggies for a balanced meal.
- Rice options – Fluffy jasmine rice or sticky rice to soak up the sauce.
- Egg fried rice – A more flavourful option with added richness from scrambled egg.
- Low-carb alternatives – Cauliflower rice or egg-fried cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
- Noodles – Egg noodles, rice noodles, or gluten-free alternatives for a different texture.
- Leafy greens – Shredded cabbage, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, or Chinese broccoli, either lightly steamed or stir-fried.
- Other vegetables – Bean sprouts, mushrooms, bell peppers, or snap peas for added crunch and colour.
Whether you keep it simple or load up on veggies, these sides make the meal even more satisfying.
More Ground Beef Recipes
Looking for more low calorie ground beef recipes? Check out these other recipes on Slimming Eats:
See more Ground Beef Recipes →
or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.
All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.
FAQ for Spicy Sticky Ground Beef
Yes! Let the beef cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheat in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts, stirring between each, until heated through.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
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Recipe Card
Spicy Sticky Ground Beef
This Spicy Sticky Ground Beef is a flavour-packed dish with a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and umami, making it a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 455 (1lb) extra lean ground beef, raw
- 2 teaspoons of grated fresh ginger
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons reduced sodium light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of dark soy sauce
- 3 tablespoon of sweet chilli sauce
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon of sriracha (can add more or less to your desired spice level)
- ½ cup (120ml) of water
- pinch of white pepper
- 1 small carrot, julienned
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced thinly
- 4 green onions, sliced
- optional: pinch of black and toasted sesame seeds to garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large, deep frying pan over medium-high heat and spray with low-calorie spray.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir in the garlic, ginger, white part of the spring onions, soy sauce, sweet chilli, maple syrup, rice vinegar, tomato paste, sriracha and pinch of white pepper, and water.
- Let it bubble and reduce, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef in a sticky glaze.
- Add the carrot, red bell pepper, and stir-fry for a couple of minutes until the veggies are just tender.
- Sprinkle with the green part of the spring onions and sesame seeds if using
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
- Dairy Free Friendly
- ❄️ Freezer Friendly - see FAQ
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Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1 SERVINGAmount Per Serving Calories 253Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 19mgSodium 1127mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 1gSugar 16gProtein 26g
Nutritional information and values etc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.
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