Ground Beef and Broccoli | The Recipe Critic

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.

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.

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.

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.