Go Back
–+ servings
butternut squash with ground beef meal

Asian Ground Beef and Butternut Squash Recipe

This Asian ground beef and butternut squash recipe is so easy to make in twenty minutes, super healthy, and a protein-rich meal that’s bursting with flavor.
No ratings yet
Print Pin
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Entree, lunch, Main Course, Side Dish, Ulam
Cuisine: Asian
Keyword: 30 minutes or less, butternut squash, easy, ground beef, ground beef recipes, healthy recipes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Calories: 357kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Sauté Pan
  • 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
  • 1 Knife and cutting board
  • 1 Measuring spoons and cups

Ingredients

  • ½ lb ground beef lean or grass-fed preferred; or ground turkey
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 3 cups butternut squash peeled and cubed
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ small onion chopped
  • ½ tsp ginger powder
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • ½ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp fish sauce optional
  • scallions garnish
  • Optional garnish: chili oil, sesame seeds

Instructions

Sauté aromatics.

  • Heat avocado oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion. Sauté for 1 minutes until fragrant and then add the garlic. Sauté and push to the side.
    2 tbsp avocado oil, ½ small onion, 3 cloves garlic

Cook the beef.

  • Add the ground beef. Sear until browned, breaking it up with your spoon. Then, toss it with the garlic and onion.
    Add the ginger powder. Stir well to coat the beef in flavor. Add in fish sauce and toss (optional ingredient).
    Scoop the beef mixture out of the pan and set aside.
    ½ lb ground beef, ½ tsp ginger powder, 1 tsp fish sauce
    mix ground beef with onions and garlic

Simmer the butternut squash.

  • In the same pan, pour in chicken stock. Add butternut squash cubes. Cover with a lid, and simmer until tender (about 10 minutes).
    ½ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth , 3 cups butternut squash
    simmer butternut squash cubes

Combine and season.

  • Add the beef mixture back into the pan. Pour in soy sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently stir everything together and cook for 3 more minutes until flavors meld.
    2 tbsp soy sauce, Sea salt and pepper
    mix ground beef with butternut squash

Finish and garnish.

  • Serve and enjoy! Garnish with green onions. Drizzle with chili oil and sesame seeds if preferred.
    scallions , Optional garnish: chili oil, sesame seeds
    bowl of Asian ground beef and butternut squash recipe

Notes

Don’t rush the browning: Let the beef sit for a few minutes to get that brown sear. It adds amazing depth of flavor.
Add enough broth: Allow the butternut squash to simmer and cook with a lid on to avoid evaporation of the broth. Be sure to check that the broth is absorbing, but not disappearing completely, when cooking the butternut squash.
Dice the squash evenly: This ensures it cooks uniformly and doesn’t turn mushy. Be sure you check the squash with a fork for tenderness and do not overcook.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Asian Ground Beef and Butternut Squash Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
357
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
25
g
38
%
Saturated Fat
 
7
g
44
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
13
g
Cholesterol
 
54
mg
18
%
Sodium
 
885
mg
38
%
Potassium
 
768
mg
22
%
Carbohydrates
 
20
g
7
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
16
g
32
%
Vitamin A
 
14883
IU
298
%
Vitamin C
 
32
mg
39
%
Calcium
 
94
mg
9
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.