Crispy Chili Ground Beef and Cauliflower Skillet Recipe
A flavorful and easy-to-make skillet dish featuring crispy cauliflower and savory ground beef tossed in a spicy chili sauce. This meal balances spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 pound Cauliflower Florets, cut into bite size pieces
- 4 Scallions, thinly sliced (greens and whites separated)
Meat
- 1 pound Extra Lean Ground Beef
Sauces and Oils
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon (24g) Olive Oil, divided
- 1/4 cup (64g) Tomato Paste (ideally double or triple concentrated)
- 2 Tablespoons (42g) Honey
- 2 Tablespoons (30g) Chili Crunch
- 2 Tablespoons (30g) Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos
- 2 Tablespoons (30g) Black Vinegar or Rice Vinegar
- 1/3 cup Water
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the tomato paste, chili crunch, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, water, and the white parts of the scallions. Set this flavorful sauce aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Cauliflower: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower florets and toss to coat them in the oil. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they develop golden brown spots. Transfer the cauliflower to a large bowl and cover it with a plate or lid to let it steam and finish cooking.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet. Add the ground beef and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to allow a crust to form on one side. Break the meat apart with a spatula and continue cooking until fully browned.
- Combine with Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the browned beef in the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens and coats the meat evenly. Return the steamed cauliflower to the skillet and toss everything together to combine the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the green parts of the scallions on top as garnish. Serve the dish over cooked rice or your choice of healthy sides.
Notes
- You can substitute coconut aminos for soy sauce to make the recipe gluten-free and slightly sweeter.
- Use black vinegar or rice vinegar depending on availability; both add tangy depth to the sauce.
- Serve over brown rice, cauliflower rice, or quinoa for a wholesome meal.
- For extra heat, add more chili crunch or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
- This dish can be meal-prepped and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: ground beef skillet, crispy cauliflower, chili crunch, easy dinner, spicy beef recipe, healthy stir fry
