Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef and Broccoli
This ground beef and broccoli is the easy, budget-friendly weeknight dinner you will make on repeat. It has all the savory, garlicky, gingery flavor of takeout beef and broccoli, but it uses ground beef so it is faster, cheaper, and ready in about 20 minutes. Serve it over rice and dinner is done. And trust me, it’s very family friendly. My daughter (almost 4) has been obsessed with this ground beef and broccoli since she was 18 mo!
Using ground beef instead of sliced steak is a total game changer for a weeknight. There is no slicing, no marinating, and no waiting, you just brown the beef, steam the broccoli, and toss it all in a quick homemade sauce. It is high-protein, satisfying, and the whole family loves it.
It is also super flexible and great for meal prep. The sauce comes together with pantry staples, and you can make it gluten-free with tamari and refined-sugar-free with coconut sugar. Honestly, it is the kind of healthy-ish dinner that beats takeout every time.
What You Need to Make Ground Beef and Broccoli
The full list with substitutions is in the ingredients section below, but here is the gist. You need just ground beef and a head of broccoli, plus a simple sauce made from soy sauce or tamari, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, chili flakes, coconut or brown sugar, and an optional splash of beef bone broth.
How to Make Ground Beef and Broccoli
Start by making the sauce so it is ready to go. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce or tamari, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, ginger, chili flakes, salt, pepper, and coconut sugar. Add a splash of beef bone broth if you want extra depth and a little more sauce to coat everything.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks, until it is no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat so the ground beef and broccoli does not get greasy. Add the broccoli florets and a splash of water, then cover and let it steam for 3 to 4 minutes until the broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp.
Pour the sauce over the beef and broccoli and toss everything to coat. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce is glossy and everything is coated and flavorful. Serve it hot over rice, and dinner is on the table in about 20 minutes.
The Secret to the Best Beef and Broccoli Sauce
The sauce is what makes this taste like your favorite takeout, and it is all about balance. The soy sauce or tamari brings savory, salty depth, the rice vinegar adds brightness, the sesame oil gives it that nutty, toasty flavor, and a little coconut or brown sugar rounds it out with just enough sweetness. Garlic, ginger, and chili flakes bring the warmth and that signature flavor.
The optional splash of beef bone broth is my favorite little trick, it adds richness and a touch more sauce to coat the rice, plus a bit of extra protein. Taste as you go and adjust the sugar, soy, and chili to your liking, since everyone likes their beef and broccoli a little different.
Tips for the Best Ground Beef and Broccoli
- Whisk the sauce before you start cooking so it is ready to pour in at the right moment.
- Drain the fat from the beef before adding the sauce so the ground beef and broccoli stays glossy, not greasy.
- Do not overcook the broccoli, you want it tender-crisp and bright green, not mushy.
- Use fresh garlic and ginger if you can, they make the biggest flavor difference.
- Add the beef bone broth for a little more sauce to soak into the rice.
What to Serve With It
This dish is classic over a bowl of fluffy white or jasmine rice, which soaks up all that savory sauce. For a lighter option, serve it over cauliflower rice or alongside extra steamed veggies. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onion on top makes it look and taste even better, and it is delicious with a side of dumplings or a simple cucumber salad.
Make-Ahead and Meal Prep
This recipe is fantastic for meal prep. It stores beautifully, so portion it into containers with rice for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. It keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheats well in the microwave or a skillet.
You can also make the sauce ahead and keep it in a jar in the fridge so dinner comes together even faster. The cooked beef and broccoli freezes well too, just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat. It is the kind of dinner that makes busy weeks so much easier.
Variations to Try
This recipe is easy to customize. Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or pork, or use a plant-based ground for a meatless version. Add extra veggies like sliced bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, or shredded carrots to stretch it further. For more heat, add extra chili flakes or a drizzle of sriracha, and for a saucier dish, double the sauce.
More Easy Beef and Asian-Inspired Dinners
If you love this, you have to try my one pot beef and broccoli ramen and my sticky honey garlic Asian ribs. And for another quick weeknight win, my easy chicken stir fry is always in our rotation.
FAQ
Can I use a different ground meat?
Yes. Ground turkey, chicken, or pork all work well, as does a plant-based ground for a meatless version. Just brown it the same way.
How do I make it gluten-free?
Use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce in place of regular soy sauce. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Can I make ground beef and broccoli ahead of time?
Absolutely, it is great for meal prep. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze it, and reheat in the microwave or a skillet.
What can I serve it over?
White or jasmine rice is classic, but cauliflower rice, brown rice, or noodles all work beautifully to soak up the sauce.
Do I need the beef bone broth?
It is optional. It adds richness and a little extra sauce plus protein, but the ground beef and broccoli is still delicious without it.
Why You’ll Make This Ground Beef and Broccoli Again
Honestly, this ground beef and broccoli is the kind of easy recipe I come back to again and again. If you make this ground beef and broccoli, I would love to hear how it turns out. Something tells me this ground beef and broccoli will earn a permanent spot in your rotation too.
This recipe hasn't been reviewed yet!