Description
This Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe is a quick and flavorful stir-fry that combines tender-crisp broccoli with savory browned ground beef in a rich, slightly sweet soy-based sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it comes together in just 30 minutes and balances fresh vegetables with hearty protein for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 3-4 cups broccoli florets
Meat
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Sauce
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/4 cup (packed) brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, vinegar, toasted sesame oil, brown sugar, cornstarch, grated ginger, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes until fully combined. Set aside.
- Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Let it heat until the oil shimmers, indicating it’s ready for cooking.
- Cook the broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring or tossing frequently, until the broccoli is tender-crisp. Remove the broccoli from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
- Brown the ground beef: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through. If excess fat accumulates, spoon some out to reduce greasiness.
- Combine and thicken: Reduce the heat to medium. Return the cooked broccoli to the skillet with the beef. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture and stir or toss everything together. Continue cooking for 1-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and fully coats the beef and broccoli. Remove the skillet from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh broccoli florets for the best texture; frozen broccoli may yield a softer result.
- Toasting sesame oil intensifies its flavor; ensure to use toasted sesame oil as noted.
- If you prefer a less spicy dish, reduce or omit the crushed red pepper flakes.
- For a lower-sodium option, use low-sodium soy sauce as specified.
