Why Make This Recipe
Ground Beef and Broccoli is a delicious and satisfying dish that combines hearty ground beef with vibrant broccoli in a savory sauce. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner because it cooks quickly and allows you to serve a colorful plate filled with protein and veggies. This dish is not only tasty but also budget-friendly, making it ideal for families or anyone looking to eat well without spending too much. Plus, it pairs wonderfully with rice, making it a complete meal packed with flavor.
How to Make Ground Beef and Broccoli
Making Ground Beef and Broccoli is straightforward and doesn’t require special skills. Just follow these easy steps to create a flavorful dish that your family will love.
Ingredients:
- 1 Tablespoon peanut oil (can sub vegetable or olive)
- 3 cups broccoli florets (washed and patted dry)
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- Salt/White Pepper (to taste)
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch (+ 2 tablespoons cold water)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 3 cups cooked rice (any kind)
Directions:
Prepare the Broccoli: Begin by washing the broccoli florets thoroughly. Pat them dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture. This will help them cook nicely.
Cook the Beef: In a large pan or wok, heat the peanut oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook it until browned, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to break the beef apart with a spatula as it cooks.
Add Vegetables: Once the beef is browned, add the diced yellow onion and sliced red bell pepper to the pan. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
Season the Mixture: Season the beef and vegetable mixture with salt and white pepper to taste. Stir everything well to combine.
Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the cold water until smooth. Then, add the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, ground ginger, and toasted sesame oil to the bowl. Whisk everything together until the ingredients are well blended.
Combine Sauce and Broccoli: Pour the sauce mixture into the pan with the beef and vegetables. Bring everything to a simmer. Stir in the broccoli florets and cook for about 4-5 minutes until the broccoli is tender and coated in the sauce.
Thicken the Sauce: Let the mixture simmer for another couple of minutes. The cornstarch will help thicken the sauce nicely.
Serve: Once everything is cooked and the sauce has thickened, remove the pan from the heat.
How to Serve Ground Beef and Broccoli
Ground Beef and Broccoli is best served over a generous portion of cooked rice. The rice soaks up the flavorful sauce, making each bite even more delicious. You can also sprinkle some sesame seeds or sliced green onions on top for an added touch of flavor and presentation.
How to Store Ground Beef and Broccoli
If you have leftovers, you can easily store them in an airtight container. Cool the dish to room temperature before sealing it. It can last for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat again, simply reheat in a pan over medium heat or use the microwave until warmed through.
Tips to Make Ground Beef and Broccoli
- Choose Your Greens: While broccoli is traditional, don’t hesitate to mix in other veggies like snap peas, bell peppers, or carrots for added color and nutrition.
- Adjust Sweetness: The balance of soy sauce and brown sugar can be adjusted to fit your taste preference. If you like it sweeter, add more sugar or honey. If you prefer it saltier, add a splash more soy sauce.
- Don’t Overcook: To keep the broccoli vibrant and crisp, make sure not to overcook it. It should be tender but still have a nice crunch.
Variation
If you want to change things up, you can try using other types of ground meat. Ground turkey or chicken works well too. You can also experiment with different sauces by adding oyster sauce or hoisin sauce for a unique twist. For a spicy kick, consider adding red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use frozen broccoli florets. Just make sure to thaw and drain any excess water before adding them to the dish.
Q2: Is there a way to make this dish vegetarian?
A: Absolutely! You can substitute the ground beef with crumbled tofu or a plant-based ground meat alternative and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Q3: Can I make this in advance?
A: Yes, you can prepare Ground Beef and Broccoli ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Just reheat it when you’re ready to serve.
Ground Beef and Broccoli is a simple, healthy, and satisfying recipe that you can make any day of the week. With easy ingredients and straightforward directions, this dish is sure to be a hit at your dinner table!
Print
Ground Beef and Broccoli
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A delicious and satisfying dish that combines hearty ground beef with vibrant broccoli in a savory sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon peanut oil (can sub vegetable or olive)
- 3 cups broccoli florets (washed and patted dry)
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- Salt/White Pepper (to taste)
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch (+ 2 tablespoons cold water)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 3 cups cooked rice (any kind)
Instructions
- Prepare the Broccoli: Wash the broccoli florets thoroughly and pat them dry.
- Cook the Beef: Heat the peanut oil over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, and cook until browned (5-7 minutes).
- Add Vegetables: Add diced yellow onion and sliced red bell pepper, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Season the Mixture: Season with salt and white pepper to taste and stir to combine.
- Prepare the Sauce: Mix cornstarch with cold water in a bowl, then add beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, ground ginger, and toasted sesame oil. Whisk until blended.
- Combine Sauce and Broccoli: Pour sauce into the pan with beef and vegetables, bring to a simmer, and stir in broccoli florets. Cook for 4-5 minutes until broccoli is tender.
- Thicken the Sauce: Let the mixture simmer for another couple of minutes.
- Serve: Once everything is cooked and the sauce has thickened, remove from heat.
Notes
Serve over cooked rice and consider garnishing with sesame seeds or green onions for added flavor and presentation. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg