If you’re looking for a weeknight dinner that’s equal parts effortless and packed with bold flavor, this Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is the perfect solution. Combining the savory richness of seasoned beef with crisp-tender broccoli, all coated in a garlic-soy sauce, this dish brings classic Asian takeout vibes right to your home kitchen without the wait or the cost.
It’s an ideal recipe for busy families, meal prep lovers, or anyone who wants to enjoy a hearty, satisfying dinner without sacrificing time. Serve it over fluffy rice or noodles, or even go low-carb with cauliflower rice. Either way, you’ll be reaching for seconds. The flavorful sauce thickens beautifully to coat every bite in umami goodness, making it a meal that’s hard to beat on any night of the week.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 lb ground beef
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2 cups broccoli florets
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
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1/4 cup soy sauce
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2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
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1 tablespoon brown sugar
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1 tablespoon cornstarch
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1/4 cup cold water
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1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
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1 tablespoon sesame oil
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2 green onions, sliced
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Sesame seeds, for garnish
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
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In a large skillet or wok, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
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Add ground beef and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess grease if necessary.
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Add minced garlic and ginger. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
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Add broccoli florets and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until just tender. Add a splash of water and cover to steam, if needed.
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In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and sesame oil.
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In another small bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry.
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Pour sauce mixture into the skillet, then stir in the cornstarch slurry.
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Simmer for 2–3 minutes, or until sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli.
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Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 340 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
The Perfect Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry: A Flavorful Weeknight Favorite
When it comes to crafting meals that are quick, delicious, and satisfying, stir fry recipes remain unbeatable. They are the culinary equivalent of a quick win, a way to transform basic pantry and fridge staples into a dinner masterpiece in just under 30 minutes. Among these, Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry holds a special place. It’s the perfect balance of savory, slightly sweet, and garlicky, all wrapped in an umami-rich sauce that clings lovingly to every bite.
Why Ground Beef and Broccoli is a Go-To Meal
One of the best parts about this dish is how easily it comes together. While many stir fry recipes rely on sliced flank steak or chicken, using ground beef cuts down on prep time without sacrificing flavor. Ground beef cooks quickly and absorbs sauces well, making it an ideal choice for fast and flavorful cooking.
Broccoli, on the other hand, adds both a nutritional boost and a textural contrast. Its natural bitterness is mellowed by the cooking process, and when it soaks up the soy-hoisin sauce blend, it becomes irresistibly delicious. The vibrant green color also makes the dish visually appealing and feels like a nod to freshness amidst all that savory comfort.
Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, cooking for one, or meal prepping for the week, this dish delivers on all fronts. It’s protein-packed, vegetable-forward, and comes together in a single pan, making cleanup a breeze.
A Closer Look at the Ingredients
Every ingredient in this dish serves a purpose. The flavor base starts with aromatic garlic and a hint of ginger, ingredients that are essential in many Asian-style recipes for their depth and complexity. Soy sauce provides the salty, umami-rich backbone of the sauce, while hoisin sauce introduces a sweet-savory element that rounds out the flavor profile.
Brown sugar adds a touch of caramel-like sweetness that helps balance the saltiness and spice. The optional red pepper flakes give the dish a subtle kick, ideal for those who love a bit of heat. And let’s not forget sesame oil, a finishing touch that adds nuttiness and aroma, elevating the dish from good to restaurant-worthy.
Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber. It pairs perfectly with ground beef, which provides protein, iron, and healthy fats. When combined, these ingredients make a dish that’s not only tasty but also well-balanced in terms of nutrition.
Customizing Your Stir Fry
The beauty of a dish like this lies in its versatility. While the classic combination of ground beef and broccoli is a fan favorite, feel free to tailor the recipe to fit your tastes or dietary needs.
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Vegetable Add-ins: Add sliced bell peppers, snow peas, shredded carrots, mushrooms, or baby corn for additional color, flavor, and nutrition.
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Meat Variations: Swap out ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian-friendly option.
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Gluten-Free Option: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and ensure your hoisin sauce is gluten-free.
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Low-Carb Twist: Serve this stir fry over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional rice.
This recipe is also incredibly scalable. Double it for a crowd or halve it for a quick solo dinner. It reheats well, making it excellent for weekly meal prep.
Serving Suggestions
While this Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is satisfying on its own, pairing it with the right side can take the meal to new heights.
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Steamed Jasmine or Basmati Rice: A neutral backdrop that lets the bold flavors of the stir fry shine.
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Brown Rice or Quinoa: Adds fiber and whole grains for a healthier twist.
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Rice Noodles or Udon: A slurp-worthy alternative that absorbs the sauce beautifully.
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Cauliflower Rice: Keeps things low-carb and keto-friendly.
You can also serve it alongside other Asian-inspired dishes like egg rolls, miso soup, or cucumber salad for a full takeout-style spread at home.
Storage and Reheating Tips
This dish is excellent for leftovers. Store any remaining stir fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or soy sauce to loosen the sauce if needed.
For freezing, you can portion the cooled stir fry into individual freezer-safe containers. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
The Cultural Inspiration Behind the Dish
Stir fry as a technique originates from Chinese cuisine, specifically the method of chao, which involves cooking food quickly over high heat with a small amount of oil. This not only locks in flavors but also preserves nutrients, something that modern eaters are increasingly appreciating.
While the dish featured here is not an authentic Chinese recipe, it pays homage to the flavor profile and technique used in classic Chinese-American beef and broccoli. By using ground beef and a simplified sauce, we adapt the traditional flavors for busy weeknights without compromising on taste.
Making It Kid-Friendly
If you’re cooking for little ones, this stir fry can easily be made to suit their palates. Omit the red pepper flakes to reduce spiciness and consider chopping the broccoli into smaller, bite-sized florets. Kids often enjoy sweet-savory combinations, and the hoisin sauce provides just enough sweetness to make the dish appealing. Serve it with a side of steamed rice or noodles to make it even more approachable.
How This Stir Fry Fits into Your Meal Rotation
It’s easy to fall into a dinner rut, especially on weeknights when time is limited. This Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry breaks the cycle by offering a reliable, flavorful, and nourishing meal that’s fast to prepare. It’s ideal for:
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Meal prep Sundays
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Midweek dinners
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Family-style meals
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Quick after-work cooking
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Budget-friendly dining
Because it uses minimal ingredients, many of which are pantry staples, you can throw it together even when your fridge is nearly empty. That’s the kind of recipe every home cook should have in their back pocket.
Conclusion
The Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is the very definition of comfort meets convenience. It brings together the crave-worthy flavors of Asian-inspired cuisine with the simplicity of one-pan cooking. Whether you’re juggling weeknight responsibilities or just craving a hearty, home-cooked meal, this recipe has you covered.
With just a handful of ingredients and a skillet, you can create a meal that is nutritious, delicious, and satisfying enough to replace your favorite takeout order. It’s quick to prepare, endlessly adaptable, and guaranteed to be a regular in your recipe rotation.
Give it a try tonight and experience just how easy (and tasty) dinner can be.