Crispy Chili Ground Beef and Cauliflower Skillet Recipe
This Crispy Chili Ground Beef and Cauliflower Skillet is a flavorful, low-carb dish featuring perfectly browned ground beef and tender-crisp cauliflower florets tossed in a spicy, tangy sauce made from tomato paste, honey, chili crunch, soy sauce, and black vinegar. Quick to prepare and cooked entirely on the stovetop, it’s a satisfying meal that balances heat, sweetness, and umami, garnished with fresh scallions for a burst of color and freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound Cauliflower Florets, cut into bite size pieces
- 1 pound Extra Lean Ground Beef
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons (24g) Olive Oil, divided
Sauce Ingredients
- 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
Garnish
- 4 Scallions, thinly sliced (greens and whites separated)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix together the tomato paste, chili crunch, honey, soy sauce, black vinegar, water, and the white parts of the scallions. Set this sauce mixture aside while you cook the other ingredients.
- Cook the cauliflower: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the cauliflower florets and toss them to coat evenly in the oil. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower develops browned spots. Remove from heat, transfer the cauliflower to a large bowl, and cover with a plate or lid to allow the steam to finish cooking them gently.
- Brown the ground beef: Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet and return to medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until a crust starts to form on one side. Then break the beef apart with a spatula and continue cooking until fully browned and cooked through.
- Add and thicken the sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the cooked ground beef. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring regularly, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef evenly.
- Combine cauliflower and finish: Add the steamed cauliflower back into the skillet and toss thoroughly with the beef and sauce mixture to combine all the flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the green parts of the scallions over the top for freshness and color. Serve the skillet mixture immediately, ideally over rice or your favorite grain.
Notes
- For a grain-free option, serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
- You can substitute soy sauce with coconut aminos for a gluten-free version.
- Adjust the amount of chili crunch to control the heat level according to your preference.
- Using extra lean ground beef keeps the dish lower in fat but retains flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the water slightly or cook longer to evaporate excess liquid.
Keywords: ground beef skillet, chili ground beef, cauliflower recipe, low carb dinner, spicy beef skillet, easy weeknight meals
