Ground Beef and Broccoli
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Super quick, super easy, and packed full of flavor, this ground beef and broccoli recipe uses just one pan and can be on your table in 20 minutes. Serve over rice or noodles for a simple yet satisfying dinner. Wonderful just as it is, or explore tried and true reader ideas for more veggies to add.
This super easy ground beef and broccoli stir fry is perfect when you don’t want to do any heavy lifting in the kitchen but don’t want to resort to takeout, either. It’s ready in about 20 minutes and only gets one pan dirty—a major win for everyone, I think we can agree.
We’re taking flavorful ground beef for a date with vibrant, tender-crisp broccoli and a delicious mix of umami-rich soy sauce, sweet brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and a smidge of toasted sesame oil for that little something extra. The combination is a protein-rich dinner you can whip up in no time and everyone can enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef & Broccoli
- One pan for both broccoli and beef keeps things super simple—and easy to clean
- Can be ready in about 20 minutes, from opening the fridge to assembling plates
- Quick homemade sauce so you know exactly what’s in your food
- Asian-inspired flavors vary your routine yet keep it a little sweet and kid-friendly
- Keeps and reheats well; hello, leftover lunches or desirable meal prep!
What Others Say:
“I made this recipe tonight as written, and it came together effortlessly while I was doing other things. As someone who tends to dirty too many dishes when I cook I appreciate it that this can be cooked in one pan and I liked that the measurements were included in line with instructions. Delicious!” -Danielle
“My family loves this! We like to add onion slices and grated carrots. A family favorite.” -Liz
If you’re craving similar flavors but with real sirloin tips and hands-off convenience, my sheet pan beef and broccoli recipe will hit the spot.
Ingredient Notes
Keep it Simple
Using just 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger adds a lot of flavor to the sauce with truly minimal effort. Feel free to substitute about 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger if you have it on hand and prefer. In the garlic department, I usually use jarred or bottled minced for this recipe and think it tastes great—I’m in a season of life where the less chopping required, the better!
How To Make Ground Beef & Broccoli
This comes together in no time, so the actual first step is to start any rice or noodles you want to serve with the beef, if they will take a few minutes.
Begin with a quick sauté of the broccoli in small drizzle of olive or other cooking oil. It should be crisp-tender and a deep, vibrant green. Remove to a plate and set aside.
Next, brown the ground beef and garlic together in the same pan used for the broccoli. You won’t need any extra cooking oil, and can drain or dab off excess fat, if there is a lot.
While the beef is browning, whisk together the sauce. Pour it over when the beef is nearly done. Cook for 2-3 minutes more for the sauce to thicken and flavor the beef.
Return broccoli to the pan—or leave it separate, if you prefer—toss, and serve.
Variations & Serving Ideas
- Ground chicken or ground turkey can replace the beef. If using one of these leaner options, add a small extra drizzle of cooking oil to the skillet after removing the broccoli and before adding the meat.
- To bulk it up with more veggies, toss in snow peas, mushrooms, zucchini, shredded carrots, or bell peppers. Any quick-cooking vegetable works.
- Add heat with a drizzle of Sriracha or Gochujang, either mixed into the sauce or drizzled on bowls for individual tastes.
- To serve, scoop over rice—white, brown, cauliflower, you name it—or any type of noodle you like. Thick, nubby udon noodles are delicious, as are thin rice noodles, etc. Sesame seeds and thinly-sliced green onions add a lovely garnish.
More Easy Asian-Inspired Dinners
- Sweet and Sticky Asian Meatballs
- Ground Beef Bowls with Edamame
- Korean Beef Bowls or Lettuce Cups
- Teriyaki Ground Beef
- Honey Teriyaki Chicken
- Quick and Easy Cashew Chicken
Ground Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 3-4 cups broccoli florets see note
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground sirloin
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 8-10 cranks freshly-ground black pepper
- sesame seeds and green onions optional garnish
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add broccoli and cook, tossing frequently, for 3-4 minutes, until it is vibrantly green with a tender-crisp texture. Remove to a plate and set aside.1 Tablespoon olive oil, 3-4 cups broccoli florets
- Add ground beef and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes, until mostly browned, breaking it up into small pieces as you go. Drain or use a paper towel to soak up excess fat.1 pound lean ground beef, 2-3 cloves garlic
- While the beef browns, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, ginger, red and black pepper in a small bowl or liquid measuring cup. Whisk until smooth.1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 8-10 cranks freshly-ground black pepper
- As soon as the beef is browned, pour in the sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes more, just until the sauce thickens slightly. Return broccoli to the pan and toss to coat. Season with salt to taste, and serve right away over rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and thinly-sliced green onions, as desired.sesame seeds and green onions
Notes
- Soy Sauce: Coco aminos work great as a substitute; I use the same amount.
- Broccoli: Chop into small, even florets so it cooks quickly and evenly.
- Timing: If you’re making rice on the stovetop or Instant Pot to accompany this meal, be sure to start it first, because the beef comes together extremely quickly and you don’t want to be waiting on the rice at the end.
- Yield: Adjust as needed; with smaller kids, this recipe as originally written feeds my family of 4, but if you are serving a group of hungry teens and adults, I’d probably double it. You can just double everything with no special adjustments.
- Useful Tools (affiliate links): Angled Measuring Cup | Sauté Tool | Cast Iron Skillet
- Storage and Reheating: This keeps and reheats very well, partly because the combination of beef and that delectable sauce minimizes the tendency of leftovers to dry out. Extra portions keep very well for 3-4 days. Store in any airtight container in the fridge. (These are our favorite meal prep boxes.) Warm in the microwave or over medium-low heat in a small saucepan. Add a very small splash of broth or water to loosen the mixture and minimize sticking if needed.
I made this for lunch today and it is very good! Like other comments I loved having the measurements along with the directions. The flavor is great! I will make again and add other vegetables. Wonderful recipe. Thank you!!
I made this recipe tonight as written, and it came together effortlessly while I was doing other things. As someone who tends to dirty too many dishes when I cook I appreciate it that this can be cooked in one pan and I liked that the measurements were included in line with instructions. Delicious!
Aah, thank you Danielle, for taking the time to leave this helpful review! It means the world. I’m so glad this recipe worked well for you!
My family loves this! We like to add onion slices and grated carrots. A family favorite.
I haven’t made this meal yet, I will be in a few minutes.. but I just wanted to say how much I APPRECIATE the ingredients listed WITH instructions!! No scrolling back and forth! Thank YOU SO MUCH for that!
I’ll definitely make this again! Next time I’m going to try adding mushrooms and red bell pepper. Ground Beef and Broccoli…and Friends. 😊
Haha, I love that! So glad you enjoyed it enough to make again!
Whole family loves it and it’s so easy to put together. Thanks!
Excellent recipe! First time I’ve left a review. I really liked it. Flavor was great!!
This is one of my husband and my favorites from your site. I love how this is quick and easy to divide in half to cook for just the two of us.
So very happy to hear that, Michelle! Thank you for leaving this feedback!
This is so good and super easy!! I love that it’s just ground beef because I always have that on hand. One of my favorite recipes since I’ve found it.
Yay, so happy to hear it! Thank you for leaving this review- it means a lot to me. Have a great day!
Good and easy. This meal is for two hungry men or three polite people. I would double the recipe for your family. I did double the sauce and I would do it next time.
Haha, I am glad you enjoyed it and I do understand – I think my sense of serving sizes may be skewed because my kids are still relatively little.
Delicious. I added carrots to the recipe. I will definitely make this again. My family loved it. Thank you!
So good! I made some modifications for what I had in the cupboard and it was still so yummy! I added a little more soy sauce because it felt like it needed more salt for my taste buds. I also roasted the broccoli with garlic salt and pepper instead.
That sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing this review. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Very good and easy! I made it as written just increased the quantity for our family. Will definitely make again!
Made this tonight using no substitutions. I served it over cheddar broccoli rice. It was amazing. Thanks for the recipe!
I put a seasonal twist on this by adding cubed yellow squash and cut green beans along with the broccoli.