By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 11, 2026
Serves 6
561 cal · 45 min
Courtney's Spicy Beef
Recipe GLPR44173eb1792ba6
A vibrant, aromatic ground beef dish inspired by South American flavors, featuring warm spices like coriander, cumin, and turmeric paired with fresh garlic and ginger. Caramelized onions form the base while sambal oelek adds a distinctive spicy kick. This low-carb, dairy-free main course delivers bold, complex flavors that satisfy without any refined carbohydrates.
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Ingredients
2 large white onions
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
1 tablespoon ground coriander
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
2 teaspoons turmeric
Coarse salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 pounds ground beef
1 tablespoon sambal oelek
Directions
Dice the white onions into small, even pieces. Mince the garlic cloves and fresh ginger, then set them aside.
Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the diced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to caramelize, about 12–15 minutes. They should be golden and fragrant.
Add the minced garlic and fresh ginger to the onions and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant and no raw garlic smell remains.
Stir in the ground coriander, cumin seeds, and turmeric, mixing continuously for about 30 seconds to bloom the spices and release their essential oils.
Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks. Continue stirring until the beef is no longer pink and has reached an internal temperature of 160°F, approximately 8–10 minutes.
Stir in the sambal oelek, incorporating it evenly throughout the beef mixture. Season to taste with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Simmer for an additional 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld. Serve hot.
Comments
Sambal oelek is the catch here: you'll need to make a second stop at Harris Teeter or Kroger's international aisle, since ALDI and Food Lion don't stock it reliably, and Walmart's selection is spotty. Ground beef and basic spices are everywhere, and the dish costs roughly $1.50 per serving. The 45-minute time is honest for browning beef and building the spice base, and it reheats well for leftovers. This is a straightforward weeknight braise that feeds a family without fuss, but the sambal oelek trip is real friction on a busy night.
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