Sizzling Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry: A Quick Family Favorite

Ground beef and broccoli stir fry is a quick, satisfying meal featuring protein-rich meat and vibrant veggies.

This dish is loved for its simplicity and bold flavors, making it perfect for busy families.

The mix of lean ground beef with crisp green broccoli offers a nutritious option that can be ready in no time.

Cooking the ingredients quickly helps maintain their texture and nutrients while creating a rich taste.

You can change up the seasonings to make this basic recipe exciting for different tastes.

With this easy-to-make dish, weeknight dinners become both effortless and delicious, providing balanced nutrition to satisfy your hunger.

Why Ground Beef And Broccoli Stir Fry Is A Weeknight Hero

• Speedy Weeknight Winner: Whip up this ground beef and broccoli stir fry in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a quick, delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Budget-Friendly Protein Boost: Ground beef provides an affordable protein source that's easily accessible, while broccoli adds nutritional value and vibrant color to create a balanced, satisfying dish that won't break the bank.
• Customizable Comfort Food: Easily adapt the recipe by switching rice with cauliflower rice for low-carb options, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra vegetables to suit individual dietary preferences and taste buds.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize cleanup with this single-skillet recipe that combines protein, vegetables, and flavor in one efficient cooking process, reducing dish washing and making mealtime smoother for home cooks.

Ingredients For Ground Beef And Broccoli Stir Fry

• Ground Beef: Lean protein that provides the main body and hearty flavor of the stir fry, choose 80/20 or 85/15 fat content for best texture.
• Onion: Adds aromatic sweetness and depth to the meat base, fresh yellow or white onions work best.

• Soy Sauce: Provides salty umami flavor and helps tenderize the meat, low-sodium options can be used.
• Honey: Adds subtle sweetness and helps create a glossy sauce coating, raw or regular honey both work well.
• Garlic: Brings intense aromatic flavor, fresh minced garlic recommended over pre-chopped.
• Ginger: Offers warm, spicy undertones and supports digestive health, fresh grated ginger preferred.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce and helps create a smooth, glossy texture.

• Broccoli: Adds nutritious green color and crisp texture, fresh or frozen broccoli florets can be used.
• Sesame Oil: Provides signature Asian-inspired nutty flavor, use sparingly for best results.
• Sesame Seeds: Offers crunchy garnish and additional nutty flavor.
• Scallions: Adds fresh, mild onion flavor and bright green color for garnish.

How To Make Ground Beef And Broccoli Stir Fry Quick

Step 1: Whip Up the Flavor Explosion

• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Cornstarch

Whisk everything together until smooth and set aside.

Step 2: Fire Up the Skillet

Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, getting it nice and hot.

Step 3: Brown the Beef

Toss ground beef and chopped onions into the sizzling skillet. Cook and stir until the beef is almost completely cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Drench in Sauce

Pour the prepared sauce over the beef, stirring quickly to coat everything evenly. Let it simmer for 1 minute to develop deep flavors.

Step 5: Add the Green Goodness

Introduce blanched broccoli to the skillet, stirring and cooking for another minute to warm through and blend the flavors.

Step 6: Plate and Garnish

• Rice
• Cauliflower rice (for a low-carb option)

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped scallions

Enjoy your delicious and quick meal!

Tips For Better Ground Beef And Broccoli Stir Fry

• Boost Flavor Depth: Marinate ground beef for 15-30 minutes in the sauce mixture before cooking to enhance taste penetration and tenderness.
• Control Moisture Balance: Pat ground beef dry before cooking to ensure proper browning and prevent excess liquid in the skillet.
• Quick Broccoli Technique: Blanch broccoli briefly in boiling water, then immediately transfer to ice water to maintain bright green color and crisp texture.
• Make It Low-Carb: Swap regular rice with cauliflower rice for a lower-carbohydrate alternative that keeps the dish light and nutritious.
• Customize Spice Level: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce during sauce preparation to introduce a personalized heat intensity matching your preference.

Store Ground Beef And Broccoli Stir Fry With Ease

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer leftover stir fry into an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the ground beef remains fresh and flavorful.
• Freezing Option: Pack cooled stir fry in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air, and store for up to 2 months without losing taste quality.
• Reheating Skillet Method: Warm refrigerated stir fry in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying, stirring occasionally until heated thoroughly.
• Microwave Tip: Reheat individual portions in microwave-safe dishes, covering with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture and prevent rubbery texture, heating in 30-second intervals.

What Matches Ground Beef And Broccoli Stir Fry

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied Zinfandel or Syrah that complements the rich, savory ground beef and cuts through the dish's umami flavors.
• Match with Crisp Asian Beer: Select a light lager like Tsingtao or Sapporo to balance the stir fry's soy sauce and honey glaze, refreshing the palate between bites.
• Enhance with Ginger Kombucha: Opt for a slightly spicy ginger kombucha that echoes the recipe's ginger notes while providing a tangy, probiotic-rich beverage that aids digestion.
• Serve with Jasmine Green Tea: Brew a hot jasmine green tea to cleanse the palate, its delicate floral notes harmonizing with the stir fry's robust flavors and helping to cut through the beef's richness.

Ways To Vary Ground Beef And Broccoli Stir Fry

• Vegetarian Swap: Replace ground beef with crumbled extra-firm tofu or plant-based meat alternatives like Beyond Meat for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Low-Carb Option: Skip rice and serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate intake while maintaining the delicious stir-fry flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and ensure cornstarch is certified gluten-free to make the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce during cooking to create a hot and zesty variation that boosts the dish's heat level for spice lovers.

FAQs For Ground Beef And Broccoli Stir Fry

• Is this dish spicy?

No, the ground beef and broccoli stir fry is not inherently spicy. The recipe uses garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and honey for flavor, which creates a savory and slightly sweet taste without heat.

• Can I use a different type of meat?

Absolutely! While the recipe calls for ground beef, you can easily substitute it with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based ground meat for a different protein option.

• Do I need any special cooking skills to make this recipe?

Not at all. This stir fry is beginner-friendly and requires basic cooking techniques like chopping, whisking, and sautéing. Even novice cooks can successfully prepare this dish with simple instructions.

• Are there any gluten-free alternatives in this recipe?

Yes, you can use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce to make the recipe gluten-free. Additionally, ensure your cornstarch is certified gluten-free, and the dish will remain suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

Sizzling Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

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4.9 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 13 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ground beef meets broccoli in this quick, zesty stir-fry that blends Chinese-inspired flavors with weeknight convenience. Savory meat and crisp vegetables create a delicious meal you’ll crave, bringing restaurant-quality comfort directly to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound ground beef (93% lean)

Vegetables:

• 1 large head broccoli, cut into florets and blanched
• ½ medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3 medium scallions, sliced on the bias

Seasonings and Sauces:

• ½ cup reduced sodium soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ½ tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Optional Serving:

• Cooked rice or cauliflower rice

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Instructions

1. Prepare a flavor-packed marinade by whisking soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch in a small mixing bowl until smooth and well-combined.
2. Warm sesame oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling cooking surface.
3. Introduce ground beef and diced onions to the hot skillet, breaking the meat into crumbly pieces while sautéing until the beef approaches complete doneness, approximately 4-5 minutes.
4. Stream the prepared sauce over the beef mixture, thoroughly coating the meat and creating a glossy, aromatic coating. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken for roughly 60 seconds.
5. Gently fold in pre-blanched broccoli florets, tossing to ensure even heat distribution and flavor absorption. Continue cooking for an additional minute to marry the ingredients.
6. Transfer the vibrant stir fry to a bed of steamed rice or cauliflower rice, creating a wholesome and satisfying meal presentation.
7. Elevate the dish’s visual appeal and taste by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped scallions as a fresh, crunchy garnish just before serving.

Notes

• Customize the sauce by adjusting honey levels for desired sweetness or swapping with maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, leaner protein option suitable for different dietary needs.
• Quickly blanch broccoli in boiling water for 2-3 minutes to maintain vibrant green color and crisp texture, preventing overcooking during stir-frying.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg