Easy Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

ByAgatha

Ground beef and broccoli is a weeknight dinner cbeef hampion for a reason. It’s the ultimate symphony of savory, tender ground beef mingling with vibrant, crisp-tender broccoli florets, all coated in a luscious, umami-rich sauce. This is the kind of meal that makes everyone at the table ask for seconds, and it’s no wonder why it’s a perennial favorite. What makes this particular ground beef and broccoli dish so special? It’s the perfect balance of simplicity and flavor. You get satisfying protein from the beef, healthy goodness from the broccoli, and a flavor profile that’s comforting yet exciting, often with a hint of gin extractger and garlic that elevates it beyond the ordinary. It’s a dish that’s both wholesome and incredibly delicious, proving that you don’t need complicated ingredients or hours in the kitchen to create something truly memorable.

Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef and Broccoli Recipe:

Quick & Easy Preparation
Healthy & Wholesome Ingredients
Crowd-Pleasing Flavor

Ground Beef and Broccoli

Ground Beef and Broccoli

This Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe is a weeknight warrior in my kitchen. It’s packed with flavor, comes together relatively quickly, and uses ingredients I often have on hand. The combination of savory ground beef, tender-crisp broccoli, and a slightly sweet, umami-rich sauce is incredibly satisfying. It’s a dish that appeals to both kids and adults, making it a winner for family dinners. Plus, serving it over fluffy rice makes it a complete and hearty meal. Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tablespoon peanut oil (can sub vegetable or olive oil)
  • 3 cups broccoli florets (washed and patted dry)
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 yellow onion (diced)
  • 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
  • Salt/White Pepper (to taste)
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch (+ 2 tablespoons cold water)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground gin extractger
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 3 cups cooked rice (any kind)

    • Preparation and Cooking

    The beauty of this dish lies in its straightforward assembly. We’ll start by prepping our vegetables and then move on to browning the beef and building the flavorful sauce.

  • Prepare the Sauce Base: In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, packed brown sugar, and honey. The brown sugar and honey will provide that delightful sweetness that balances the savory elements. Make sure the brown sugar is fully dissolved. Set this mixture aside. In a separate very small bowl, combine the cornstarch with the 2 tablespoons of cold water. Whisk this until it forms a smooth slurry. This cornstarch slurry is what will thicken our sauce beautifully at the end, giving it that glossy, restaurant-style consistency.
  • Cook the Aromatics and Vegetables: Heat the peanut oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the diced yellow onion and sliced red bell pepper. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables begin extract to soften and the onion becomes translucent. Don’t overcook them at this stage; we want them to retain a little bit of their crispness. Add the minced garlic and ground gin extractger to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  • Brown the Ground Beef: Push the vegetables to the side of the skillet, or if your skillet is getting crowded, you can briefly remove them and set them aside. Add the ground beef to the hot skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet. Once the beef is browned, stir it together with the cooked vegetables. Season generously with salt and white pepper to taste. The white pepper provides a subtle heat without the visual flecks of black pepper, which I prefer in this dish.
  • Add the Broccoli and Simmer: Add the prepared broccoli florets to the skillet with the ground beef and vegetables. Stir everything together to combine. Pour the prepared sauce base (the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, and honey mixture) over the ingredients in the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp. You want the broccoli to be bright green and cooked through but still have a slight bite to it. Overcooked broccoli can become mushy, which we want to avoid here.
  • Thicken the Sauce and Finish: Uncover the skillet. Give the cornstarch slurry a quick re-whisk (as it can settle) and then slowly pour it into the simmering sauce in the skillet, stirring constantly. Continue to stir and cook for another 1-2 minutes as the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon. Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, stir in the toasted sesame oil. This adds a wonderful nutty aroma and a final layer of flavor. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, soy sauce, or a touch more honey if desired.

    • Serve this delicious Ground Beef and Broccoli immediately over 3 cups of cooked rice. The rice is the perfect vehicle to soak up all that flavorful sauce. Enjoy this easy, satisfying, and flavorful meal!

    Ground Beef and Broccoli

    Conclusion:

    I hope you’re as excited to try this ground beef and broccoli recipe as I am to share it! This dish is a weeknight hero for so many reasons. It’s incredibly quick to prepare, requiring minimal chopping and comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy evenings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to sneak in some extra vegetables without fuss. The savory, umami-rich sauce coats tender ground beef and crisp broccoli beautifully, creating a satisfying and flavorful meal that the whole family will love. It’s versatile, wholesome, and consistently delicious – everything I look for in a go-to recipe!

    This versatile ground beef and broccoli can be enjoyed in so many ways. Serve it steaming hot over fluffy white or brown rice for a classic meal. For a lighter option, try it with quinoa or cauliflower rice. It also makes a wonderful filling for lettuce wraps, adding a refreshing crunch. Don’t be afraid to get creative with variations! You can easily swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken, or even add other vegetables like sliced carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas. A sprinkle of sesame seeds or chopped green onions adds a lovely finishing touch.

    I truly encourage you to give this ground beef and broccoli a try. It’s a simple yet incredibly rewarding dish that proves healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or boring. Let me know how it turns out for you!

    Frequently Asked Questions about Ground Beef and Broccoli:

    Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

    Yes, you can! The cooked ground beef and broccoli mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems a little dry.

    What kind of ground beef is best?

    I prefer using lean ground beef, around 85% to 90% lean. This ensures plenty of flavor without excess grease. If you use a fattier blend, you may want to drain off some of the rendered fat before adding the sauce ingredients.

    How can I make the broccoli more tender or crisp?

    For tender broccoli, cut the florets into smaller pieces and cook them for a minute or two longer. If you prefer crisp-tender broccoli, simply reduce the cooking time slightly after adding it to the pan. You can also blanch the broccoli separately for a minute before adding it to the stir-fry for perfectly cooked florets every time.

    Ground Beef and Broccoli

    Ground Beef and Broccoli

    A quick and flavorful stir-fry featuring seasoned ground beef, fresh broccoli, and a savory sauce, perfect for a weeknight meal.

    Prep Time
    15 Minutes

    Cook Time
    20 Minutes

    Total Time
    35 Minutes

    Servings
    4 servings

    Ingredients

    • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
    • 3 cups broccoli florets
    • 1 lb. ground beef
    • 1 yellow onion, diced
    • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
    • Salt, to taste
    • White Pepper, to taste
    • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
    • 2 tablespoons cold water
    • 1 cup beef broth
    • 1/4 cup soy sauce
    • 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
    • 3 cups cooked rice

    Instructions

    1. Step 1
      Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
    2. Step 2
      Add diced yellow onion and sliced red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
    3. Step 3
      Stir in minced garlic and ground ginger. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
    4. Step 4
      In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Pour this into the skillet along with beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, and toasted sesame oil. Stir well to combine.
    5. Step 5
      Add broccoli florets to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is tender-crisp and the sauce has thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
    6. Step 6
      Season with salt and white pepper to taste. Serve immediately over cooked rice.

    Important Information

    Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

    It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

    Allergy Information

    Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.

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