Uncategorized admin June 22, 2026 0 Comments

Easy Ground Beef and Broccoli (Ready in 25 Minutes)

Looking for an easy ground beef and broccoli stir fry that actually tastes homemade? This one-pan dinner comes together in less than 30 minutes with tender beef, crisp-tender broccoli, and a savory-sweet sauce that beats any takeout version.

My favorite dinners are the ones that rival takeout but come together way faster than waiting for delivery. This ground beef and broccoli fits the bill perfectly.

Instead of dealing with marinating and slicing steak, you brown some ground beef, add fresh broccoli, and coat it all in a flavor-packed sauce. We rotate this into our low-carb dinner lineup served alongside cauliflower rice, though it’s equally amazing with brown rice or jasmine rice.

Why I Love This Beef and Broccoli Recipe

Quick and easy: Everything cooks in one skillet and hits the table in under 30 minutes. Ideal for those nights when you need dinner on the table without fussing.
Budget-friendly: Ground beef replaces pricey steak while keeping that classic beef and broccoli taste alive and well.
Family-friendly: My kids clean their plates every single time, and I love sneaking in extra veggies without hearing any complaints.
High-protein: Packing 28 grams of protein per serving, this dish keeps you full long after dinner.

Ingredients Needed

Just a few simple, fresh ingredients and pantry basics are all you need to make this ground beef and broccoli stir-fry. Here’s what each component brings to the table:

ground beef – I reach for lean varieties, either 85/15 or 93/7. It browns quickly and delivers all the stir-fry flavor without requiring you to slice steak. Using fattier ground beef? Drain off the extra fat before mixing in the sauce to avoid a greasy finish.
yellow onion – brings subtle sweetness and complexity to the sauce.
garlic & ginger – the dynamic duo that makes stir-fry truly shine. Fresh versions are my go-to, though ground varieties work when you’re in a pinch.
broccoli florets – chop up a head of broccoli or grab a bag of pre-cut florets to cut prep time. They soften slightly while staying crisp and soak up the sauce beautifully.
soy sauce – the salty, umami-rich base of the stir-fry. Reach for tamari if you’re keeping things gluten-free.
toasted sesame oil – brings that distinctive, nutty, restaurant-quality stir-fry flavor.
rice vinegar – adds brightness and a subtle tang that balances everything out.
fish sauce – rounds out the sauce with umami depth. Feel free to skip it if it’s not your thing.
honey – rounds out the salty and savory elements with a hint of sweetness. Coconut sugar works just as nicely.
arrowroot powder – thickens the sauce so it clings to the beef and broccoli. Cornstarch is a solid substitute.

Full ingredient amounts and measurements are available in the recipe card below.

How to Make Ground Beef and Broccoli

Step 1: Heat a large skillet to medium-high and brown the ground beef with the onion until cooked through, about 6–7 minutes.

Step 2: While the beef browns, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, fish sauce, sweetener, arrowroot powder, and water in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.

Step 3: Add the garlic and ginger, cooking for about a minute until fragrant. Toss in the broccoli, cover, and let it steam for 3–4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.

Step 4: Add the sauce, stir well, and cook uncovered for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Finish with sesame seeds, green onions, or a drizzle of sriracha if you like heat. Serve over rice or cauliflower rice.

Tips for Success

Pick the right beef: Lean ground beef (85/15 or 93/7) gives you loads of flavor without excess fat pooling in the pan. If you opt for higher-fat beef, drain the drippings after browning to keep the sauce from getting greasy.
Don’t overcook the broccoli: The magic of great stir-fry is vegetables that are tender but still have a bit of bite. Add broccoli toward the end and cook only until it turns bright green. Prefer it softer? Steam it separately and add it in at the last moment.
Adjust the sauce level: Craving extra sauce to soak into your rice? Double the sauce ingredients. Want something lighter? Leave it as is.
Easy swaps: Ground turkey, chicken, or pork work beautifully in place of beef. Feel free to swap in snap peas, carrots, or bell peppers depending on what’s in your fridge.

How to Store & Meal Prep

Fridge: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Warm through on the stove or microwave when ready to eat.
Meal prep hack: Get the beef cooked and the sauce whisked together ahead of time. Cook the broccoli fresh right before eating so it stays vibrant, crisp, and tender.
Freezer: Not the best option since broccoli gets soft when frozen, but you can freeze the cooked beef and sauce separately. Just add fresh broccoli when you’re ready to dig in.

More Ground Beef Recipes to Try

Loved this one? I’d appreciate a ⭐ star rating and would love to hear how it turned out in the 📝 comments below.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef with the diced onion, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. You’re looking at about 6-7 minutes until fully cooked through.
While the beef cooks, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together soy sauce or tamari, sesame oil, rice vinegar, fish sauce, your sweetener of choice, arrowroot powder, and water. Set it aside.
Once the beef is cooked through, add the garlic and ginger, cooking for about 1 minute until the kitchen smells amazing.
Add the broccoli to the skillet, cover it, and let it steam for 3–4 minutes until the florets turn bright green and are tender-crisp.
Pour the sauce over everything, stir to coat, and cook uncovered for another 2–3 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens. I like to bump up the heat slightly at the end to get a nice caramelization on the beef and let the sauce reduce down.
Finish with sesame seeds, green onions, or a drizzle of sriracha if spice is your thing. Serve over rice, cauliflower rice, or enjoy it on its own!

Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or microwave to warm through.
Make ahead: You can get the beef cooked and the sauce prepped ahead of time. Add fresh broccoli right before serving to keep it bright and tender.
Variations: Swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or pork. You can also toss in different veggies like bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots based on what you have.
Gluten-free option: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.