Ground Beef and Broccoli
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This easy ground beef and broccoli stir fry is the perfect weeknight dinner. Juicy beef, crisp broccoli, and a savory-sweet sauce come together in one pan in under 30 minutes for a meal that tastes even better than takeout.
Some of my favorite dinners are the ones that feel like takeout but come together faster than delivery. This ground beef and broccoli is exactly that!
Instead of marinating and slicing steak, you just brown up some ground beef, toss in fresh broccoli and coat everything in a flavorful sauce. We usually make this one for dinner on low-carb days served with cauliflower rice, but it’s also delicious with brown or jasmine rice.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Beef and Broccoli Recipe
- Quick and easy: Everything cooks in one pan and it is on the table in under 30 minutes. Perfect for those nights when you just need dinner fast.
- Budget-friendly: Using ground beef instead of steak keeps it affordable but still gives you all that classic beef and broccoli flavor.
- Family-approved: My crew devours this every time, and I love that it is an easy way to sneak in extra veggies without complaints.
- High-protein: With 28 grams of protein per serving, it is a filling dinner that actually keeps you satisfied.
Ingredients Needed
You only need a handful of fresh ingredients and pantry staples to make this ground beef and broccoli stir-fry. Here’s what each one brings to the dish:
- ground beef – I like using lean ground beef, either 85/15 or 93/7. It cooks quickly and gives you all the flavor of a beef stir-fry without having to slice steak. If you use a fattier ground beef blend, just drain off the excess grease before adding the sauce so it doesn’t get oily.
- yellow onion – adds a little sweetness and depth to the sauce.
- garlic & ginger – the dream team for stir-fry flavor. Fresh is always my pick, but ground garlic or ginger works in a pinch.
- broccoli florets – you can chop up a head of broccoli or use a bag of pre-cut florets to save time. They cook until crisp-tender and soak up the sauce.
- soy sauce – the salty, savory backbone of the stir-fry. Use tamari if you need it gluten-free.
- toasted sesame oil – adds that nutty, restaurant-style stir-fry taste.
- rice vinegar – brightens everything up with a little tang.
- fish sauce – gives the sauce depth and umami. If you’re not a fan, you can leave it out.
- honey – balances the salty and savory notes with a touch of sweetness. Coconut sugar is another great option.
- arrowroot powder – thickens the sauce so it clings to the beef and broccoli. Cornstarch works too.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Ground Beef and Broccoli
Step 1: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef is browned, about 6–7 minutes.
Step 2: While the beef cooks, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, fish sauce, sweetener, arrowroot powder, and water in a small bowl.
Step 3: Stir in garlic and ginger, then add broccoli. Cover and steam for 3–4 minutes until tender-crisp.
Step 4: Pour in the sauce, cook 2–3 minutes until thickened, then serve with sesame seeds or sriracha over rice or cauliflower rice.
Tips for Success
- Pick the right beef: I like using lean ground beef (85/15 or 93/7) so you get plenty of flavor without too much grease in the skillet. If you go higher fat, just drain off the extra after browning so the sauce doesn’t turn oily.
- Don’t overcook the broccoli: The secret to good stir-fry is tender-crisp veggies. Add the broccoli last and cook just until it turns a bright green. If you like it softer, you can steam it separately and then toss it in at the end.
- Make it saucier (or less): If you love extra sauce to soak into rice, double the sauce ingredients before whisking it together. If you prefer a lighter coating, keep it as written.
- Easy swaps:You can totally make this with ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, or swap in veggies like snap peas, carrots, or bell peppers if that’s what you’ve got in the fridge.
How to Store & Meal Prep
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
- Meal prep hack: Cook the beef and whisk together the sauce ahead of time. Add fresh broccoli right before serving so it stays bright, crisp, and tender.
- Freezer: Not my favorite since broccoli tends to get mushy, but you can freeze the cooked beef and sauce. Just add fresh broccoli when you are ready to eat.
More Ground Beef Recipes to Try
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Ground Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef, either 85/15 or 93/7
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger, grated, or 1 teaspoon ground garlic
- 6 cups small broccoli florets, or one 12 oz bag
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 Tablespoon honey or coconut sugar
- ½ Tablespoon arrowroot powder
- Optional toppings: sesame seeds, green onions, Sriracha
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion until the beef is browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. This should take about 6-7 minutes.
- While beef is cooking, make sauce. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together soy sauce or tamari, sesame oil, rice vinegar, fish sauce, sweetener of choice, arrowroot powder, and water. Set aside.
- Once the ground beef is cooked through, add in garlic and ginger, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add broccoli to the skillet. Cover and let steam for 3–4 minutes, or until broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp.
- Pour the sauce over the beef and broccoli. Stir well and cook, uncovered for another 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens. I like my meat to get a little brown and for the sauce to reduce quite a bit so I bump the heat up a bit at the end.
- Top with sesame seeds, green onions, or a drizzle of sriracha if you like it spicy. Serve over rice, cauliflower rice, or just eat it as-is!
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
- Make ahead: You can cook the beef and whisk the sauce ahead of time. Add fresh broccoli right before serving so it stays bright and tender.
- Variations: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even pork. You can also toss in extra veggies like bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots.
- Gluten-free option: Swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos to keep this recipe gluten-free.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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