Quick Family-Pleaser: Hearty Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that ground beef and broccoli stir-fry perfectly deliver.

Packed with bold flavors and nutritious ingredients, this simple recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes.

Tender beef meets crisp broccoli in a savory sauce that dances across your taste buds.

The combination creates a protein-rich meal that satisfies hunger and delights the senses.

Lean ground beef sizzles in a hot pan, releasing its rich, meaty aroma while broccoli adds a vibrant green crunch.

Seasonings blend harmoniously, transforming basic ingredients into an extraordinary dish.

Dive into this easy stir-fry that promises to become a new family favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 4

Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry Ingredients

• Ground Beef: Choose lean ground beef for a healthier dish with rich, meaty flavor and less grease.
• Garlic: Adds robust, aromatic kick that deepens the savory profile of the stir-fry.
• Ginger: Brings warm, zesty undertones that complement the beef's richness.

• Broccoli: Provides crisp texture and nutritional boost with its vibrant green color and subtle earthy taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a gentle, warming heat that sparks the dish with mild spiciness.

• Soy Sauce: Delivers umami depth and traditional Asian-inspired saltiness.
• Oyster Sauce: Creates glossy coating with complex, slightly sweet marine undertone.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds bright, tangy balance to cut through the richness.
• Sesame Oil: Introduces nutty, toasted essence that elevates the entire dish.
• Brown Sugar: Brings subtle caramel-like sweetness to round out the flavor profile.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken sauce and create silky, clinging texture.
• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking base with light, clean flavor.

Wok Tools to Cook Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

• Large Skillet or Wok: Essential for browning beef and stir-frying broccoli with high, even heat.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for mixing sauce ingredients smoothly and quickly.
• Whisk: Helps blend sauce components without lumps, ensuring a silky texture.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for breaking up beef and stirring ingredients without scratching the pan.
• Measuring Spoons: Crucial for accurate sauce ingredient proportions.
• Cutting Board: Needed for any minor chopping or prep work.

How to Make a Fast Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

• Brown the Beef

Get a sizzling hot skillet ready. Toss in ground beef and break it up while cooking until it turns a delicious golden color. Ditch any extra grease to keep things light.

• Dance the Broccoli

Scoot the beef to one side and drizzle in some oil. Toss in broccoli with zesty garlic, spicy ginger, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Stir those veggies until they shine bright green and stay crunchy.

• Whip Up the Magic Sauce

In a quick whisking session, blend soy sauce, oyster sauce, tangy rice vinegar, rich sesame oil, sweet brown sugar, and a touch of cornstarch. This sauce will be your flavor superhero.

• Bring It All Together

Pour that incredible sauce over the beef and broccoli. Give everything a good swirl to get totally coated. Let it simmer for a few minutes so the sauce gets all glossy and thick. Your taste buds are about to throw a party!

Sauce Variations for Stir-Fry Dinners

• Keep your ground beef super lean by using 90/10 or 93/7 meat for a healthier dish.
• Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking beef – this ensures proper browning and prevents steaming instead of searing.
• Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lower-fat or vegetarian versions that maintain similar flavor profiles.
• Adjust red pepper flakes based on heat preference – add more for extra kick or remove completely for mild palates.
• Prep sauce and chop broccoli in advance, storing separately in refrigerator to streamline weeknight cooking and reduce overall meal preparation time.

Serving Ground Beef Stir-Fry Over Rice or Veggies

• Dining Delights: Pairing Perfection
• Serve this zesty stir-fry over fluffy white or brown rice to soak up the delicious sauce and create a complete meal that fills you up.
• Family-Style Feast: Sharing Platters
• Spread the ground beef and broccoli stir-fry in a large central serving dish, allowing everyone to grab their favorite portions with chopsticks or serving spoons.
• Fresh Side Symphony
• Complement the dish with quick pickled cucumber slices, crisp green onions, or a small side salad with sesame dressing to add brightness and balance the rich flavors of the main course.
• Protein Power-Up
• Enhance the meal by topping the stir-fry with toasted sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, or a sprinkle of crispy fried onions for extra crunch and nutty depth.

How to Chill and Save Stir-Fry Meals

• Prepare double portions of this stir-fry and store extra servings in airtight containers for quick weekday lunches or dinners. The flavors intensify overnight, making reheated meals even more delicious.
• Store leftovers in sealed containers for up to 3-4 days. Always keep the ground beef and broccoli mixture refrigerated below 40°F to maintain food safety and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Separate sauce from meat to prevent soggy textures when reheating. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before warming gently in a skillet.
• Chop broccoli and prepare sauce ingredients in advance. Store prepped components separately in the refrigerator for quick assembly during busy weeknights. This saves time and reduces cooking stress.

Hearty Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Sizzling Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry delivers a quick, flavorful Asian-inspired meal packed with protein and green goodness. Home cooks craving a simple yet satisfying dinner will love this one-pan wonder that brings restaurant-quality taste right to their kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef (85% lean or higher)
• 3 cups (720 ml) broccoli florets
• ¼ cup (60 ml) low-sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos for gluten-free)
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) oyster sauce (or hoisin for a sweeter taste)
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) rice vinegar
• 2 cups (480 ml) cooked rice or cauliflower rice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) sliced green onions
• 1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil
• 1 tsp (5 ml) sesame seeds
• 1 tsp (5 ml) brown sugar or honey (optional, for balance)
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground ginger (or 1 tsp fresh grated ginger)
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) cornstarch (to slightly thicken the sauce)
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

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Instructions

1. Searing Protein: Ignite a large skillet over medium-high heat. Tumble ground beef into the pan, fracturing and browning the meat thoroughly for 5-6 minutes. Eliminate any surplus grease to ensure a clean, concentrated flavor profile.
2. Vegetable Integration: Relocate browned beef to one side of the skillet. Drizzle olive oil and introduce broccoli florets alongside aromatic garlic, zesty ginger, and fiery red pepper flakes. Sauté swiftly until broccoli radiates a vibrant emerald hue while maintaining a crisp texture.
3. Sauce Composition: Craft a dynamic sauce by whisking soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and cornstarch in a separate vessel. This liquid harmony will bind the dish’s components with complex, umami-rich undertones.
4. Final Fusion: Stream the prepared sauce over the beef and broccoli mixture, ensuring every morsel becomes lavishly coated. Allow the concoction to simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, permitting the sauce to transform into a glossy, slightly thickened glaze that clings provocatively to each ingredient.

Notes

• Break ground beef into small crumbles while cooking to ensure even browning and prevent large, tough chunks.
• Stir-fry broccoli quickly at high heat to maintain its vibrant green color and crisp texture, avoiding overcooking that leads to mushy vegetables.
• Whisk cornstarch thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, glossy sauce that coats the meat and vegetables evenly.
• Replace brown sugar with a sugar-free alternative like stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a keto-friendly version of the stir-fry.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg