Basic Ground Beef Gets A Major Flavor Boost When You Add This Zesty Ingredient

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Ground beef is a staple in a multitude of cuisines. But without the right spices and seasonings, it can taste a little, well, bland. You could go for plain salt and pepper, or even garlic and onion powder for a savory twist. To elevate the beef even further, however, we suggest adding some ginger. It provides a zesty, slightly spicy flavor to the meat and pairs well with so many side dishes.

You can use powdered or fresh ginger in ground beef. If you're using fresh ginger, slice it really thin and saute it with some aromatics before adding the beef. If you're using ginger powder, add your beef to a heated skillet first, then sprinkle the spice over the meat along with other seasonings of your choice. Both options pair well with Korean cooking staples like soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil.

Both fresh and ground ginger can be found at most major grocery stores. Just keep in mind that ground ginger is usually more potent than fresh, so use it sparingly. Unless, of course, you already know you love the flavor ... then sprinkle it on to your heart's content.

Ground beef with ginger is tasty on its own, but with the right side dishes, you can assemble a pretty delicious meal. First, try it with a serving of fluffy white rice topped with more sesame oil, sesame seeds, or chopped green onion. The neutral rice will soak up the flavors of the spiced meat. If you like heat, we also recommend topping it all with chili oil or sauce: Momofuku Original Chili Crunch has fantastic reviews on Amazon.

If you want rice substitutes, try adding the ginger ground beef to stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, and onions. The ginger flavor mixes beautifully with these veggies. Or cook up a pot of udon, egg, or rice noodles to use as the base of your meal. Their springy, chewy texture is the perfect sidekick to the rich beef. Our beef and udon noodle stir-fry recipe would suit these ingredients, but you could also follow our easy instructions to turn instant ramen into stir-fry on a budget.