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Easy Ground Beef and Broccoli Recipe

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4.2 from 29 reviews

This EASY Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe is a quick and flavorful stir-fry combining tender ground beef with crisp broccoli florets in a savory, slightly sweet Asian-inspired sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a family dinner or meal prep, delivering balanced nutrition and comforting tastes with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Beef and Vegetables

  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil or vegetable oil, divided
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (or chicken, or turkey)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite size pieces
  • 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 4-5 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bunch green onions - white parts sliced 1/2-inch, green parts thinly sliced, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, more or less to taste

Sauce

  • 3/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Japanese rice wine or dry sherry
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seed oil

Garnish and Serving

  • Toasted sesame seeds (optional)
  • White rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare Sauce: In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 3/4 cup low sodium chicken broth until fully combined. Then whisk in the oyster sauce, reduced sodium soy sauce, light brown sugar, Japanese rice wine or dry sherry, and toasted sesame seed oil. Set this sauce mixture aside.
  2. Heat Skillet: Place a large cast iron skillet or stainless steel pan over medium-high heat and heat until it begins to smoke. Add 1 tablespoon of peanut or vegetable oil and swirl to coat the pan evenly.
  3. Cook Beef: Add the ground beef to the hot oil, breaking it up slightly. Press it flat to sear undisturbed for 45 to 60 seconds. Flip the beef, press flat again, cook another 45 to 60 seconds, then crumble the meat into smaller pieces as it cooks further. Drain any excess grease if needed. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Remove from skillet once it is just slightly pink, as it will finish cooking in the sauce later.
  4. Cook Broccoli: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the empty skillet and heat until very hot and sizzling. Add broccoli florets and sauté briefly for 30 seconds. Pour in 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth, cover the skillet, and reduce heat to medium. Steam the broccoli until crisp-tender, about 1½ to 2 minutes.
  5. Sauté Aromatics: Push the broccoli to the edges of the skillet. Add a splash of oil to the center, then add minced ginger, garlic, white parts of green onions, and red pepper flakes. Sauté the aromatics for 20 to 30 seconds before stirring them into the broccoli.
  6. Add Sauce and Beef: Return the cooked beef and any accumulated juices to the pan. Whisk the sauce mixture again to recombine and pour it over the beef and broccoli. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency and the beef is fully cooked. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it.
  7. Serve: Transfer the beef and broccoli mixture to a serving bowl. Garnish with the remaining green onion slices and toasted sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot over cooked white rice for a complete meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground chicken or turkey for a lighter protein option.
  • Japanese rice wine or dry sherry adds depth; if unavailable, a dry white wine or mirin can be used as substitutes.
  • Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
  • For gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce and oyster sauce alternatives.
  • Drain excess grease to reduce fat content if desired.
  • Cook white rice separately according to package instructions to serve alongside.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/easy-ground-beef-and-broccoli-recipe/