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Easy Ground Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe
This ground beef broccoli stir-fry delivers incredible flavors in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Tender ground beef combines with crisp broccoli florets in a savory sauce that rivals your favorite takeout restaurant. You’ll love how simple ingredients transform into a satisfying meal that’s both nutritious and delicious.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in just 15 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy weeknight dinners
- Uses affordable ground beef instead of expensive steak cuts while maintaining amazing flavor
- Packed with nutritious broccoli that stays perfectly crisp-tender in the stir-fry
- Simple pantry ingredients create a restaurant-quality sauce at home
- One-pan cooking means minimal cleanup and maximum convenience
Why This Ground Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe Works
Ground beef cooks faster than traditional stir-fry cuts, reducing your cooking time significantly. The high heat sears the meat quickly, locking in juices while creating those delicious browned bits that add depth to your sauce.
Fresh broccoli florets maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture when added at the right moment. The timing ensures they’re tender enough to enjoy but still have that satisfying crunch that makes stir-fries so appealing.
The sauce combination balances sweet and savory elements perfectly. Brown sugar caramelizes slightly in the hot pan, while soy sauce provides umami depth and sesame oil adds that distinctive Asian flavor profile.
Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry
This recipe transforms everyday ingredients into something special. You probably have most items in your pantry already, making it incredibly convenient when you need dinner fast.
The versatility shines through various serving options. Serve it over steamed rice for a traditional approach, or try it with noodles for a different texture. Even cauliflower rice works beautifully for a lower-carb option.
Budget-friendly ingredients make this meal accessible for families. Ground beef costs significantly less than steak strips, while broccoli provides excellent nutritional value for the price.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity (Approx) | Purpose / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lean Ground Beef | 1 lb | Main protein, provides hearty texture and flavor |
| Broccoli Florets | 2 cups | Fresh vegetables, adds color and nutrition |
| Garlic | 3 cloves, minced | Aromatic base, enhances overall flavor |
| Low-Sodium Soy Sauce | ¼ cup | Umami depth, controls saltiness |
| Brown Sugar | 2 tbsp | Balances saltiness, adds caramelization |
| Sesame Oil | 1 tsp | Authentic Asian flavor, aromatic finish |
Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Large Skillet or Wok | High-heat cooking surface for proper stir-frying |
| Sharp Knife | Chopping broccoli and mincing garlic efficiently |
| Cutting Board | Safe prep surface for vegetables |
| Small Mixing Bowl | Combining sauce ingredients before adding |
| Wooden Spoon | Stirring without scratching pan surface |
How to Make Ground Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Prep Work | Chop broccoli into bite-sized pieces and mince garlic. Having everything ready ensures smooth cooking. |
| Cook Beef | Heat large skillet over medium heat. Cook ground beef 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if needed. |
| Add Vegetables | Add minced garlic and broccoli florets. Stir-fry 3-4 minutes until broccoli turns bright green and tender-crisp. |
| Make Sauce | Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil in bowl. Pour mixture over beef and broccoli in skillet. |
| Final Simmer | Let simmer 2 minutes to blend flavors and slightly thicken sauce. Stir occasionally. |
| Serve | Serve immediately over rice or noodles with extra sauce drizzled on top. |
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Use 85% lean ground beef for the best balance of flavor and minimal grease
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if doubling the recipe
- Keep broccoli pieces uniform in size for even cooking throughout
- Mix sauce ingredients separately first to prevent burning during cooking
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving – add more soy sauce if needed
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Tips
Serve your ground beef broccoli stir-fry immediately over steamed jasmine rice for the most authentic experience. The rice absorbs the flavorful sauce beautifully, creating a complete meal.
Try serving over lo mein noodles or rice noodles for variety. Simply Recipes offers excellent noodle pairing suggestions for stir-fries.
Garnish with sesame seeds or sliced green onions for extra flavor and visual appeal. A squeeze of fresh lime juice adds brightness that complements the rich sauce.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t overcook the broccoli – it should remain bright green and slightly crisp. Overcooked broccoli becomes mushy and loses its appealing color and texture.
Avoid using high heat throughout the entire cooking process. While you want good browning on the beef, too much heat can burn the garlic and make the sauce bitter.
Don’t skip draining excess fat from the ground beef. Too much grease makes the final dish heavy and can prevent the sauce from adhering properly.
Never add the sauce too early in the cooking process. Adding it before the vegetables are properly cooked can result in a watery, flavorless dish.
You Must Know
- Fresh broccoli works much better than frozen – frozen releases too much water
- Ground beef should be at room temperature before cooking for even browning
- Low-sodium soy sauce prevents the dish from becoming too salty
- Sesame oil has a low smoke point – add it at the end for best flavor
Tips and Tricks for Ground Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry
Prep all ingredients before you start cooking. Stir-frying happens quickly, and having everything ready prevents overcooking while you scramble to prepare components.
Use a large skillet or wok for best results. The wide surface area allows for proper heat distribution and prevents steaming, which can make vegetables soggy.
Consider adding other vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for extra color and nutrition. Allrecipes provides great vegetable combination ideas.
Suggestions for Ground Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry
Transform this basic recipe into different flavor profiles by adjusting the sauce. Try adding ginger for warmth, or red pepper flakes for heat.
Make it a complete meal by serving alongside other dishes like Ultimate Chicken Casserole for family gatherings.
Consider pairing with lighter desserts like Keto Cloud Cake to balance the meal.
For special occasions, serve as part of an Asian-inspired menu alongside Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta for variety.
FAQs:
Fresh broccoli works much better than frozen. Frozen broccoli releases excess water during cooking, which can make your stir-fry soggy and dilute the sauce flavors.
Use 85% lean ground beef for the perfect balance. It provides enough fat for flavor without creating excessive grease that needs draining.
Add broccoli after the beef is fully cooked and only stir-fry for 3-4 minutes. The broccoli should turn bright green and remain tender-crisp, not soft.
This dish is best served immediately for optimal texture. However, you can prep ingredients ahead and store leftovers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
You can use coconut aminos or tamari as alternatives. Both provide similar umami depth, though coconut aminos will be slightly sweeter than traditional soy sauce.
Conclusion
This ground beef broccoli stir-fry proves that delicious, satisfying meals don’t require complicated techniques or expensive ingredients. With just 15 minutes and simple pantry staples, you can create a restaurant-quality dish that rivals your favorite takeout.
The combination of savory ground beef, crisp broccoli, and flavorful sauce creates a balanced meal that satisfies both adults and children. Whether served over rice or noodles, this versatile recipe adapts to your family’s preferences while delivering consistent, delicious results every time.
More Easy Lunch Recipes:
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📖 Recipe Card
Ground Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A delicious and easy recipe for ground beef broccoli stir-fry that combines tender ground beef with crisp broccoli in a savory Asian-inspired sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Cooked rice or noodles for serving
Instructions
- Prep Work: Chop broccoli into bite-sized pieces and mince garlic. Having everything ready ensures smooth cooking.
- Cook Beef: Heat large skillet over medium heat. Cook ground beef 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add Vegetables: Add minced garlic and broccoli florets. Stir-fry 3-4 minutes until broccoli turns bright green and tender-crisp.
- Make Sauce: Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil in bowl. Pour mixture over beef and broccoli in skillet.
- Final Simmer: Let simmer 2 minutes to blend flavors and slightly thicken sauce. Stir occasionally.
- Serve: Serve immediately over rice or noodles with extra sauce drizzled on top.
Notes
- Use 85% lean ground beef for the best balance of flavor and minimal grease
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if doubling the recipe
- Keep broccoli pieces uniform in size for even cooking throughout
- Mix sauce ingredients separately first to prevent burning during cooking
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 calories
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: ground beef broccoli stir-fry, recipe, homemade, cooking, food, easy recipe, Asian stir-fry, quick dinner
