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Easy Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry: Best 30-Minute Dinner

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A quick and easy ground beef and broccoli stir-fry with a glossy, savory-sweet sauce that comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan dinner is made with simple ingredients and delivers restaurant-quality flavor without the delivery fee.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 3 cups broccoli florets (about 1 large head)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or avocado or canola oil)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Cooked white rice or brown rice (for serving)
  • Sliced green onions (for garnish)
  • Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, water, cornstarch, rice vinegar, sesame oil (if using), and red pepper flakes (if using) until fully dissolved. Set aside.
  2. Prep the broccoli: Wash and dry broccoli. Cut florets into bite-sized pieces (about 1 to 1.5 inches). Optionally, peel and slice the tender inner stalk into thin coins.
  3. Brown the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break into small crumbles. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to sear, then stir and cook until browned and cooked through (about 5-6 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed. Transfer beef to a plate and set aside.
  4. Cook the aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Add minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Steam the broccoli: Add broccoli florets to the pan. Toss in the garlic-ginger oil for 1 minute. Add 2 tablespoons water, cover with a lid, and steam for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. Uncover and let any remaining water evaporate.
  6. Combine everything: Return cooked beef to the pan. Whisk the sauce again and pour over the beef and broccoli. Increase heat to medium-high. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
  7. Finish and serve: Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately over steamed rice, garnished with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

The cornstarch slurry is key for a glossy sauce—whisk it right before adding to the pan. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook beef in batches if needed. For best results, use fresh garlic and ginger. The sauce thickens quickly, so stay at the stove and keep stirring. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or soy sauce. Freezing is not recommended as broccoli becomes mushy.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef and broccoli stir-fry, easy stir-fry, 30-minute dinner, weeknight dinner, beef and broccoli, quick dinner, one-pan meal

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