Easy Ground Beef and Broccoli Recipe

This ground beef and broccoli recipe will add bold flavor to your busy weeknights. It’s an easy meal that’s ready in 25 minutes, and a great way to get your family to enjoy broccoli!

My self proclaimed broccoli hater actually asked for seconds, so this flavorful dish is going on our regular menu rotation.

We love Chinese food at our house, but take-out can be so expensive, especially when you have a large family like I do. I love creating restaurant recipes at home, not only because it’s more economical, but because I can control the ingredients.

Reasons to make this ground beef broccoli stir-fry:

• It’s an easy recipe that’s ready in under 30 minutes. It actually takes less time to make than the rice you serve it with!
• Unlike some recipes I’ve seen, it actually has a generous amount of broccoli, so you don’t need to serve vegetables on the side.
• Instead of traditional beef and broccoli that calls for flank steak, you use ground beef. Not only is it cheaper, you don’t have to do any slicing!
• It’s packed with vitamins and minerals like iron, potassium, and vitamin B, and has 12 grams of fiber.

What is beef and broccoli sauce made of?

Typically, beef & broccoli sauce starts with a sweet soy sauce and beef broth mixture that is thickened with corn starch. It usually includes garlic and ginger and can have additional ingredients like sesame oil, oyster sauce, pepper, or rice vinegar.

Ground Beef and Broccoli Recipe Instructions:

1. PREP – Wash the broccoli in cold water. Drain and cut into medium or small pieces. Dice the onion.
2. SAUTE –  Brown ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium high heat. (This meat masher is very handy!) Drain off the fat and add the garlic. Cook for another 30-60 seconds.
3. STIR FRY SAUCE & BROCCOLI – Add the beef broth, soy sauce, and broccoli. Reduce to medium heat and cover the skillet with a lid. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring a couple times. Stir in the pepper, ginger, brown sugar, oil, and red pepper flakes.
4. THICKEN – Make a slurry by whisking the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Add to the skillet; cook and stir for a couple of minutes, or until the sauce turns clear and is thick and bubbly.
   
5. SERVE – Spoon the juicy ground beef mixture over hot over white or brown rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.

You can store leftover broccoli and ground beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

I’m not a fan of freezing it because the broccoli gets soft, but you can freeze it if you don’t mind the texture. It will last for 2-3 months in a freezer safe container.

PRO TIPS & VARIATIONS:

• For best flavor and texture, don’t overcook the broccoli! You want it to be crisp tender, and still bright green.
• We like the flavor of regular soy sauce, but if you are on a low salt diet, you can use low sodium soy sauce and broth.
• Instead of the pound of ground beef, you can use ground turkey or ground chicken.
• red bell pepper 
• For a low carb dish, serve with cauliflower rice.

Your whole family will love this easy ground beef recipe, and you’ll love that dinner is ready in 25 minutes with just one skillet to wash!