This Ground Beef And Broccoli is my weeknight answer to takeout cravings. Instead of slicing flank steak, we use ground beef, which cooks in minutes and soaks up the savory-sweet sauce beautifully. It's a one-pan meal that delivers all the flavor of the classic takeout dish with less prep and cleanup.
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The key is building the sauce from scratch—soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and a touch of cornstarch to thicken. The broccoli is flash-cooked to keep it bright and crisp-tender. The result is a balanced, satisfying dinner that comes together faster than delivery.
I'll walk you through each step, from blanching the broccoli to browning the beef, so you get a perfect glossy sauce every time. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned cook, this recipe is straightforward and foolproof.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
About the Ingredients
1 lb (450g) ground beef (85% lean)
Ground beef with 85% lean works best; drain excess fat after browning. For a leaner option, use 90% lean, but you may need a splash of oil.
4 cups (about 1 lb / 450g) broccoli florets
Fresh broccoli is ideal; frozen can be used but thaw and pat dry to avoid steaming. You can also substitute with green beans or snap peas.
1/4 cup (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce
Low-sodium soy sauce controls saltiness. For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos.
2 tablespoons (30ml) oyster sauce
Oyster sauce adds umami. Vegetarian? Use mushroom stir-fry sauce. If you don't have it, use hoisin plus a splash of fish sauce.
2 tablespoons (25g) brown sugar
Brown sugar balances the salt. Substitute with honey or maple syrup, but reduce liquid slightly.
2 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh garlic is best; use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if in a pinch.
1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh ginger, grated
Fresh ginger adds zing. Use 1 teaspoon ground ginger if you must, but fresh is worth it.
1/2 cup (120ml) beef broth
Beef broth deepens flavor. Use chicken or vegetable broth as a substitute.
1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch
Cornstarch thickens the sauce. Mix with 2 tablespoons water to make a slurry. Arrowroot works too.
2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
For cooking. Use canola, peanut, or avocado oil.
2 green onions, sliced
For garnish. Optional but adds freshness.
Cooked rice, for serving
Jasmine or brown rice. Cauliflower rice for low-carb.
Tips & Tricks
Don't overcook the broccoli
Blanch it for 1-2 minutes until bright green, then shock in ice water to stop cooking. This keeps it crisp-tender.
Brown the beef properly
Let it sit in the pan without stirring for 2-3 minutes to get a nice crust. This adds flavor.
Make the sauce slurry before starting
Mix cornstarch and water in advance so you can add it quickly when the sauce is simmering.
Pro Tips
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Blanch the broccoli
Bring a pot of water to a boil (212°F/100°C). Add broccoli and cook for 1-2 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Set aside.
2. Make the sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, beef broth, and cornstarch slurry. Set aside.
3. Brown the beef
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F/190°C). Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
4. Add the sauce
Pour the sauce over the beef. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef. You'll see it turn glossy.
5. Add the broccoli
Add the blanched broccoli to the skillet. Toss to coat with the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
6. Garnish and serve
Sprinkle with sliced green onions. Serve hot over rice.
Delicious Variations
Spicy
Add 1-2 teaspoons sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Low-carb
Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
Extra veggies
Add sliced bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms with the broccoli.
How to Store Ground Beef And Broccoli
Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer
Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until hot, adding a splash of water if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey works well, but it's leaner so add a tablespoon of oil to the pan. Cook until no longer pink.
Q: How do I make this gluten-free?
Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and ensure your oyster sauce is gluten-free or substitute with hoisin sauce.
Q: Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes, thaw and pat dry before blanching. Reduce blanching time to 30 seconds to avoid mushiness.
Q: Why is my sauce not thickening?
Make sure you bring the sauce to a full simmer. The cornstarch needs heat to activate. Also, ensure you mixed the slurry well.
Q: Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely, add bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
I hope this Ground Beef And Broccoli becomes your new weeknight favorite. If you try it, let me know how it turns out in the comments below!
Ground Beef And Broccoli
Ground Beef And Broccoli: a quick, savory stir-fry with tender broccoli and a gingery garlic sauce, ready in 30 minutes.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (85% lean)
- 4 cups (about 1 lb / 450g) broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons (25g) brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup (120ml) beef broth
- 1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Cooked rice, for serving
📋 Instructions
- 1Blanch the broccoli — Bring a pot of water to a boil (212°F/100°C). Add broccoli and cook for 1-2 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Set aside.
- 2Make the sauce — In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, beef broth, and cornstarch slurry. Set aside.
- 3Brown the beef — Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F/190°C). Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
- 4Add the sauce — Pour the sauce over the beef. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef. You'll see it turn glossy.
- 5Add the broccoli — Add the blanched broccoli to the skillet. Toss to coat with the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- 6Garnish and serve — Sprinkle with sliced green onions. Serve hot over rice.
Diego explores the intersection of technology and personal finance, sharing his journey of automating savings and investing spare change. He writes for beginners who want to make their money work harder without jargon.
