For a quick and easy weeknight dinner, you're going to love this 30 Minute Ground Beef and Broccoli stir fry. Beef and broccoli in a savory Asian inspired sauce makes a great one pot meal!
30 Minute Ground Beef and Broccoli
Whether you are busy with school-night activities or taking it easy in the summertime, there's one question that can ruin your vibe; "What's for dinner?"
This recipe for healthy ground beef and broccoli stir fry is simple, quick and delicious, so make this recipe the answer to that dreaded question. The Asian flavors here are sure to satisfy palates young and old - and fast!
Our youngest actually exclaimed, "This is the best chicken recipe of my life." (I didn't correct him--as long as he loves it, I'm happy!).
This one is going down on the list of great, quick ground beef recipes. Right next to the Ground Beef Nachos and Ground Beef Gyro Bowls!
Why You'll Love this Beef And Broccoli
- Did I mention this recipe is quick? Like, 30-minutes quick. You can’t beat that for a home-cooked dinner.
- It’s a restaurant recipe without leaving home! Pat yourself on the back for perfecting this takeout-inspired favorite.
- Meat and veggies all in one dish! Broccoli and ground beef stir-fry isn’t just easy; it’s actually healthy! Plus, with a few minor tweaks, it’s even gluten-free!
If you're like me, you are a sucker for perfectly sauced or glazed meats (See our Asian Chicken Marinade for an example). You don't want your dish drowning in sauce, just coated, so you can still appreciate the texture of the meat, and pair it with other delicate ingredients like rice or noodles.
Asian cuisine excels at layering sweet, savory, spicy, and salty flavors together into incredible sauces. We've experienced it with Ground Beef Bulgogi and Thai Basil Beef, and now you'll get it with this Ground Beef and Broccoli too!
Key Ingredients And Substitutions
- Ground Beef- Any ground beef should work well for this recipe, from 80/20 to lean (90/10) beef.
- Broccoli Florets - Fresh is best for this recipe. Trim the thick, woody stalks and discard. Cut your florets into easily manageable, bite-size pieces.
- Soy Sauce - Another essential ingredient of this and many Asian-inspired dishes. Opt for the low-sodium version so that you’re in control of the saltiness of your dish. Feel free to sub tamari for a gluten free option.
- Sesame Oil - This oil is a perfect finishing oil, imparting rich and nutty flavors to this dish.
- Beef Broth - As the base of the sauce, beef broth provides an essential element of this recipe. Feel free to grab it in a carton, can, or even in the form of beef bouillon paste--we really like Better than Bouillon brand!
- Oyster Sauce- Oyster sauce is a thick, slightly sweet and salty sauce commonly used in Asian recipes. You can find it in the Asian foods aisle of most grocery stores, or online here. Kikkoman makes a gluten free version. I like using oyster sauce because it has a deeper and more complex flavor profile than soy sauce.
- Mirin- Another classic Asian condiment, this rice wine adds sweetness and a hint of tang.
- Brown Sugar- We add a small amount of sugar to our stir fry sauce to balance the savory components.
- Cornstarch - Cornstarch helps to thicken your sauce, making it smooth and delicious. Flour can be subbed but isn’t friendly for those on a gluten-free diet
How To Make Ground Beef And Broccoli
- Blanch the broccoli. Bring a pot of water to boil and add the broccoli florets. Boil for 2 minutes, or until slightly tender and bright green. Drain then transfer the broccoli florets to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain again and set aside.
- Whisk the stir fry sauce. Meanwhile, whisk together the beef stock, oyster sauce, brown sugar, mirin, and cornstarch in a large measuring cup or bowl. Set aside.
- Brown the ground beef. Heat the vegetable oil over medium high heat in a large wok or skillet with high sides. Add the beef and break it apart into large chunks spread evenly across the pan. Cook, undisturbed, for 2-3 minutes, or until the bottom is browned. Stir and break the beef up into smaller chunks, continuing to brown for another 2-3 minutes. Drain any excess fat off the pan.
- Add seasonings. Stir in the garlic, sauteeing until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the soy sauce and sesame oil, stirring until the beef is well coated.
- Add broccoli and stir fry sauce. Add the broccoli to the pan, then pour in the sauce mixture, scraping up any browned bits off the bottom of the pan.
- Cook through. Cook for about two minutes, continuing to stir and scrape the bottom, until the sauce is thickened. Serve warm over rice with a sprinkling of sesame seeds.
Tips and FAQs
Storage and Reheating Instructions
The dish can be made ahead of time and kept refrigerated. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove over low heat. Add a little beef broth if your leftovers need a bit more moisture.
What is beef and broccoli sauce made of?
There are A LOT of version of this Chinese-American dish floating around the web, but I prefer this version, adapted from Jet Tila's excellent cookbook, 101 Asian Dishes to Cook Before You Die. Chef Tila's recipe is made with marinated steak, but we love the simplicity (and affordability) of ground beef.
The sauce we use includes beef broth, oyster sauce, mirin, brown sugar, and cornstarch, for thickening. We also use just a little soy sauce and sesame oil to season the beef. The result is a very flavorful and deeply savory sauce, with just a hint of sweetness.
Do you have to blanch broccoli for stir fry?
Blanching is very helpful for stir fry, because it softens the vegetable while preserving a little crunch and a bright green color. This allows you to quickly stir fry it later over high heat to finish cooking. Adding raw broccoli to a skillet takes too long to cook and can result in soggy, brown broccoli.
Can I add other vegetables to the stir fry?
Yes! Bell peppers or onions would be great, but broccoli is the best at soaking up the delicious sauce!
What do you serve with ground beef and broccoli?
We like to serve this dish over rice. White rice is the traditional favorite, but brown rice is great as well. For the lightest, healthiest version, try cauliflower rice!
We will also pair it with store bought egg or spring rolls or an easy edamame recipe.
Can I make spicy ground beef and broccoli?
Of course! I usually always make this dish mild so my kids will eat it, but you can add chili flakes and/or Sriracha to give it some heat.
More Asian Ground Beef Recipes
If you love these flavors, you can check out these other Asian favorites!
📖 Recipe
30 Min Ground Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 lb. broccoli florets (from about 2 medium stalks)
- ⅓ cup beef stock
- ¼ cup oyster sauce
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons mirin
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 2 large cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to boil and add the broccoli florets. Boil for 2 minutes, or until slightly tender and bright green. Drain then transfer the broccoli florets to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain again and set aside.
- Meanwhile, whisk together the beef stock, oyster sauce, brown sugar, mirin, and cornstarch in a large measuring cup or bowl. Set aside.
- Heat the vegetable oil over medium high heat in a large wok or skillet with high sides. Add the beef and break it apart into large chunks spread evenly across the pan. Cook, undisturbed, for 2-3 minutes, or until the bottom is browned. Stir and break the beef up into smaller chunks, continuing to brown for another 2-3 minutes. Drain any excess fat off the pan.
- Stir in the garlic, sauteeing until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the soy sauce and sesame oil, stirring until the beef is well coated.
- Add the broccoli to the pan, then pour in the sauce mixture, scraping up any browned bits off the bottom of the pan.
- Cook for about two minutes, continuing to stir and scrape the bottom, until the sauce is thickened. Serve warm over rice with a sprinkling of sesame seeds.
Notes
Gluten free option: Sub tamari for the low sodium soy sauce, and look for Kikkoman brand GF oyster sauce.
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