Ground Beef and Broccoli | The Recipe Critic

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Get ready to enjoy a delicious and easy ground beef and broccoli stir-fry that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. This flavorful dish combines tender broccoli, savory beef, and a rich, tangy sauce, all served over steamed rice for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.

Having a simple yet crowd-pleasing meal in your back pocket to whip up in a hurry can be such a lifesaver. Some other favorite family recipes you’ll want to keep handy are this amazing taco spaghetti, my kids’ highly requested air-fried chicken tenders, and this quick beef fried rice.

Overhead shot of ground beef and broccoli in skillet with wooden spoon. Overhead shot of ground beef and broccoli in skillet with wooden spoon.

Reasons You Will Love This Recipe

  • Super Filling: This ground beef and broccoli stir fry is high in protein and much better for you than takeout. It’s made with simple ingredients that are satisfying.
  • So Tasty: Asian food is easily one of my favorite cuisines! The sauce in this recipe is bursting with Asian flavor. It’s just as delicious as what you would get at a restaurant.
  • Comes Together Quickly: If you’re looking for a quick, simple meal that will still be incredibly delicious, this is the recipe for you!

Ingredients in Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

I love how simple the ingredients are in this ground beef and broccoli recipe! You could even switch up the meat, you don’t have to stick with just beef! Try ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork. This dish is my go-to weeknight meal when I don’t know what to cook because it’s so easy and all you need is 30 minutes! You can find the measurements below in the recipe card.

  • Broccoli Florets: You can use fresh or frozen bite-sized broccoli florets in this recipe.
  • Lean Ground Beef: I prefer to use lean ground beef, but other varieties of ground meat will work.
  • Yellow Onion: Diced onion adds great savory flavor and texture.
  • Salt & Pepper: To taste!
  • Garlic: Cooked with the onion and ground beef to add savory flavor.
Overhead shot of labeled ingredients. Overhead shot of labeled ingredients.

Beef & Broccoli Sauce

  • Beef Broth: The flavorful base of the sauce.
  • Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the added salt. However, regular soy sauce or tamari, which is gluten-free, will also work.
  • Packed Brown Sugar: Perfectly sweetens the sauce.
  • Sesame Oil: Provides a nutty, earthy taste. If you have toasted sesame oil, that’s really delicious for a toasty flavor.
  • Garlic: Minced garlic will add a sharp spice flavor.
  • Ground Ginger: Brings a warm and slightly spicy kick to the sauce.
  • Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce.
Overhead shot of labeled ingredients for sauce.Overhead shot of labeled ingredients for sauce.

How to Make Ground Beef and Broccoli

This easy ground beef and broccoli is so quick and easy to make! 30-minute meals that the whole family loves are the best. Here is my full list of 30-minute meals for more dinner inspiration!

  1. Steam the Broccoli: In a pot with a steamer basket, bring a few inches of water to boil and steam the broccoli for 4-5 minutes. It should be tender but still firm. Remove from the steamer basket and then set aside.
  2. Brown the Beef: In a large pan, over medium-high heat, sauté the beef and onion together until the beef is fully browned. Add in the garlic and sauté another minute. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Drain excess grease when done cooking.
  3. Make the Sauce: While the beef and onion are cooking, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch in a small bowl.
  4. Combine Sauce with Beef and Broccoli: Add the steamed broccoli to the skillet and pour the sauce over everything. Stir everything together, sautéing until the sauce thickens and coats everything completely.
  5. Serve: Serve over steamed rice. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds! If you’re feeling spicy, add some red pepper flakes.

Tips and Variations

Here are some tips for serving this delicious beef and broccoli dish and ways that you can change it up!

  • Make it Spicy: To add heat, add 2 tablespoons of sriracha sauce to the sauce mixture. 
  • Serving Suggestions: I like to serve this dish with rice, but you can also serve it with quinoa or cauliflower rice or just on its own!
  • How to Cook the Rice: If you ask me, the easiest way to cook rice is in your Instant Pot! I love Instant Pot rice because you just set it and forget it. You can also cook the rice over the stove in a pot or in a rice cooker.
  • Add More Veggies: Broccoli is the star of this dish, but you can add other vegetables. Bell pepper, snap peas, or carrots make great additions!

Close up shot of plated ground beef and broccoli over rice with a bite on a fork. Close up shot of plated ground beef and broccoli over rice with a bite on a fork.

How to Store Beef and Broccoli Leftovers

Beef and broccoli make great leftovers because they reheat so easily in the microwave! The flavors will be just as good (if not better) the next day, making this a tasty option for ready-to-go lunches.

  • In the Refrigerator: Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for about 1 minute or until warm.

Overhead shot of plated beef and broccoli. Overhead shot of plated beef and broccoli.

More Asian-Inspired Recipes

I absolutely love recipes with Asian flavors! Plus, when you make it at home rather than getting takeout, it tastes so much fresher and you get to control the ingredients. All of these meals here are super easy and ones that my whole family has enjoyed time and time again!

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  • In a pot with a steamer basket, bring a few inches of water to boil and steam the broccoli for 4-5 minutes. It should be tender but still firm. Remove from the steamer basket and set aside.

  • In a large skillet, over medium high heat, saute the beef and onion together until the beef is fully browned. Add in the garlic and sauté another minute. Reduce the heat to medium low.

  • While the beef and onion are cooking, in a small bowl whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch.

  • Add the steamed broccoli to the skillet and pour the sauce over everything. Stir everything together, sauteing until the sauce thickens and coats everything completely.

  • Serve over steamed rice with green onions and enjoy!

Calories: 192kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 20gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 868mgPotassium: 527mgFiber: 2gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 378IUVitamin C: 55mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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