Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

This ground beef and broccoli stir-fry brings all the comforting flavors of your favorite takeout straight to your kitchen with fresher ingredients and less time spent waiting. It’s loaded with umami, thanks to garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and hoisin, and the broccoli adds a pop of color and crunch.

The dish is perfect for weeknights when time is tight but you still want a hearty, wholesome meal. Serve it over fluffy rice or swap for quinoa or cauliflower rice if you’re looking for a twist. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a go-to recipe that will become a regular on your table.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground beef

• 2 cups broccoli florets

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1/2 cup beef broth or water

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar

• 2 green onions, sliced

• Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

• Cooked white rice, for serving

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, beef broth, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Set aside.

2. In a large skillet or wok, cook ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spatula until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary.

3. Add garlic and ginger to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Pour in the prepared sauce and bring to a simmer, stirring to coat the beef evenly.

5. Add broccoli florets to the pan, cover, and let simmer for 4-5 minutes, or until broccoli is tender-crisp.

6. Remove from heat and top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if using.

7. Serve hot over cooked white rice.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 375 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

A Delicious Weeknight Classic: Ground Beef and Broccoli

When it comes to weeknight dinners, few dishes hit the sweet spot of quick, easy, and satisfying like Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry. This dish, inspired by classic Chinese-American takeout flavors, combines tender broccoli and rich, savory beef in a glossy, umami-packed sauce. It’s comforting, versatile, and full of flavor and it’s on the table in under 30 minutes.

Whether you’re new to home cooking or a seasoned kitchen pro, this recipe offers a simple yet highly rewarding meal with minimal ingredients and effort. Best of all, it’s incredibly adaptable. Serve it over rice, noodles, or even cauliflower rice to suit your dietary needs. It’s also a great recipe to double and use for meal prep throughout the week.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

This recipe is a go-to for busy families, meal preppers, and anyone who craves bold, satisfying flavor without complicated cooking techniques. Here are just a few reasons why this dish might become one of your household staples:

• Fast and easy: 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking means you’ll have dinner on the table in under half an hour.

• Affordable ingredients: Ground beef and broccoli are budget-friendly and widely available.

• Nutritionally balanced: You get a solid dose of protein, fiber, and vitamins in one hearty bowl.

• Customizable: Swap out ingredients depending on what you have on hand or tailor it to your dietary preferences.

• Kid-friendly: The slightly sweet, savory sauce is a hit with kids and adults alike.

The Magic of the Sauce

Let’s be honest, what makes this dish shine is the signature sauce. A mix of soy sauce, hoisin, garlic, ginger, and a touch of brown sugar creates that crave-worthy sweet-salty balance reminiscent of your favorite takeout, without the heaviness or additives.

The hoisin adds depth and a subtle sweetness, while the soy sauce delivers umami. A small amount of sesame oil adds a nutty aroma, and rice vinegar gives it a gentle tang. Cornstarch helps the sauce cling to every bite of meat and broccoli, creating that classic glossy stir-fry finish.

If you’re watching your sodium intake or following a gluten-free diet, it’s easy to use low-sodium tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and choose a gluten-free hoisin.

Choosing the Right Ingredients

Ground Beef

Choose lean ground beef (90% or higher) to reduce excess fat while still enjoying rich flavor. For an even healthier alternative, ground turkey, ground chicken, or even plant-based meat crumbles work well in this dish without sacrificing texture.

Broccoli

Fresh broccoli is ideal for this recipe, offering vibrant color and crisp-tender texture. However, frozen broccoli florets work in a pinch just thaw and pat dry to avoid watering down the sauce.

Aromatics

Don’t skip the garlic and ginger! These two ingredients are the aromatic backbone of many Asian-style dishes. Fresh is best, but if needed, jarred minced garlic and ginger paste will do.

Optional Add-ins

This dish is endlessly versatile. Try adding:

• Thinly sliced carrots

• Snow peas or sugar snap peas

• Bell peppers

• Mushrooms

• Water chestnuts for crunch

You can also spice it up with crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha.

A Closer Look at Nutrition

One of the perks of this dish is its nutritional value. A single serving (excluding rice) comes in around 375 kcal, with a good balance of macronutrients: protein from the beef, fiber and vitamins from the broccoli, and healthy fats from the sesame oil.

Broccoli is rich in:

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin K

• Folate

• Fiber

• Antioxidants

Ground beef is an excellent source of:

• Iron

• Zinc

• Vitamin B12

• High-quality protein

You can make this dish lower in carbs by serving it over cauliflower rice or steamed cabbage. For a higher-fiber option, try brown rice or quinoa.

How to Serve Ground Beef and Broccoli

While traditionally served over a bowl of fluffy white jasmine rice, don’t feel limited. Here are several options to suit different preferences:

• Brown rice: A fiber-rich whole grain with a nutty flavor

• Quinoa: Gluten-free and high in protein

• Cauliflower rice: Great for keto or low-carb diets

• Lo mein or rice noodles: For a noodle bowl twist

• In lettuce wraps: For a light, low-carb option

If you’re prepping lunch for work or school, this dish reheats beautifully in a microwave and tastes just as good the next day.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

One of the best things about this recipe is how well it holds up for leftovers. Store any extra portions in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen over time, making it a great candidate for meal prepping.

To reheat, microwave in 60-second intervals or rewarm in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

You can also freeze the cooked beef and broccoli mixture (without the rice) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as needed.

Cultural Inspiration

While this version of beef and broccoli is not an authentic Chinese dish, it draws heavily from Chinese-American cuisine, a style born from immigrant communities blending traditional flavors with locally available ingredients. In the 20th century, many Chinese-American restaurants adapted recipes for American palates and kitchens, resulting in dishes like beef and broccoli, orange chicken, and General Tso’s chicken.

What started as a workaround for unfamiliar ingredients has become a beloved cuisine in its own right. This ground beef variation adds an extra layer of accessibility by using an everyday pantry protein while maintaining the essence of the original dish.

Easy Variations to Try

Want to switch things up? Try one of these creative takes:

• Spicy Ground Beef and Broccoli: Add chili garlic sauce or gochujang for heat.

• Keto Version: Use cauliflower rice and a sugar-free substitute like monk fruit for the sauce.

• Teriyaki Twist: Replace the sauce with your favorite teriyaki blend.

• Vegan Option: Use plant-based ground meat and swap beef broth for vegetable broth.

• Peanut Beef Broccoli Bowl: Stir in a spoonful of peanut butter or top with crushed peanuts.

These small tweaks can transform the flavor profile while still keeping the dish fast and approachable.

Conclusion

Ground Beef and Broccoli is more than just a quick dinner fix, it’s a comforting, flavorful meal that brings balance, simplicity, and nutrition to your table. Whether you’re cooking for your family, prepping lunches for the week, or just trying to eat better without sacrificing taste, this stir-fry is a reliable and delicious choice.

From its umami-rich sauce to its crisp-tender vegetables and hearty protein, every bite of this dish delivers satisfaction. And thanks to its adaptability, it’s easy to customize to your personal preferences, dietary needs, or whatever ingredients you have on hand.

Keep this recipe in your regular rotation and you’ll always have a go-to meal that’s budget-friendly, kid-approved, and restaurant-worthy.