My Busy-Night Savior
Let me tell you about my friend, this ground beef and broccoli. It is my go-to quick weeknight meal. When the day gets long, this dish saves me. It comes together in one skillet. That means less washing up, which I love.
You just brown the beef and cook the veggies. Then you pour that simple sauce over everything. In about 30 minutes, you have a full dinner. It feels like a warm hug in a bowl. What is your favorite 30-minute meal to make when you are tired?
Why This Simple Supper Matters
This is more than just an easy ground beef and broccoli. It is about feeding your people well, and fast. Using one pan keeps things simple. That matters on busy nights. It helps you get a real dinner on the table without stress.
I also love that you can see the good stuff right in it. The green broccoli and the rich beef. You know you are giving your family a balanced meal. That is a good feeling for any cook. *Fun fact: Broccoli has more vitamin C than an orange!*
A Little Story About Ginger
The ginger in the sauce is my secret. It makes this beef stir fry recipe special. I remember the first time I used fresh ginger. I was so nervous! I thought it would be too strong. But it just adds a little warm, happy zing.
Now I keep a knob of it in my freezer. I can grate a bit anytime. Using the paste from a jar works just as well, though. Do you prefer fresh ginger or the jarred paste for your cooking?
Making It Your Own
This recipe is a perfect starting point. You can change it to be just right for you. Love more veggies? Add some sliced carrots or bell peppers. Want it spicier? Add more of those red pepper flakes. I still laugh at the time I made it too spicy for my grandson!
That is why this is a great family dinner idea. Everyone can adjust their own bowl. This matters because cooking should be fun, not strict. Have you tried this with a different vegetable instead of broccoli?
A Tip for Your Future Self
This dish is a champion for meal prep recipes. I often make a double batch on Sunday. I pack the beef and broccoli mixture into containers with rice. Doesn’t that smell amazing when you are cooking it?
Then, on a crazy Wednesday, my future lunch is ready. It heats up beautifully. Having good ground beef recipes like this ready to go saves money and time. It is a gift you give to your busy self later in the week.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli florets | 4 cups | |
| Yellow or white onion, sliced | 1 cup (about 1/2 onion) | |
| Cooking oil (vegetable, peanut, etc.) | 1 tbsp | |
| Lean ground beef (e.g., 85/15) | 1 lb | |
| Low sodium beef broth | 1 1/2 cups | |
| Low sodium soy sauce | 1/4 cup | |
| Brown sugar | 2 tbsp | |
| Garlic, minced | 3 cloves (about 1 tbsp) | |
| Ginger paste | 2 tsp | |
| Red pepper flakes | 1 tsp | |
| Cornstarch | 2 tbsp | For the slurry |
| Cold water | 2 tbsp | For the slurry |
| Toasted sesame seeds | For garnish | Optional |
| Cooked white rice | For serving | Cooked separately |
Instructions
Step 1: First, get your rice cooking. This easy ground beef and broccoli comes together fast. While the rice simmers, chop your broccoli and onion. I like my florets small for a quick weeknight meal. Doesn’t that fresh broccoli smell amazing?
Step 2: Now, mix your sauce in a cup. Combine broth, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Whisk in the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. This makes the best beef stir fry recipe sauce. (Mix your cornstarch with cold water first. It won’t get lumpy!)
Step 3: Heat oil in your big skillet. Cook the broccoli and onion until bright. You want them tender-crisp. This one skillet meal is so simple. Set the veggies aside in a bowl. What’s your favorite crunchy veggie? Share below!
Step 4: Next, brown your ground beef in that same pan. Break it up as it cooks. Once it’s no longer pink, pour in your sauce. It will sizzle and smell wonderful. Let it simmer and thicken into a gravy. This is the heart of your 30-minute meal.
Step 5: Finally, add the veggies back to the pan. Stir until everything is coated in that glossy sauce. Your ground beef and broccoli is ready! Serve it hot over fluffy rice. Top with sesame seeds for a fun crunch. Perfect family dinner ideas start right here.
Creative Twists
Swap beef for ground turkey. It’s a lighter twist on this classic.
Add colorful bell peppers. Toss them in with the broccoli for extra crunch.
Make it a rice bowl. Let everyone top their own with extra goodies.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving & Pairing Ideas
This beef stir fry recipe is a complete meal. I love it over steamed white rice. For meal prep recipes, pack it with cauliflower rice. A simple cucumber salad on the side is so refreshing. You could even roll leftovers in a warm tortilla. Which would you choose tonight?
Making It Last: Storing Your Stir Fry
Let’s talk about keeping your ground beef and broccoli tasty. Cool it completely before storing. It goes in the fridge for 3-4 days. For the freezer, use airtight containers for 2-3 months. I remember my first big batch. I put it in the fridge while warm. It got soggy! Now I always let it cool on the counter first.
Batch cooking this recipe is a smart move. It turns this quick weeknight meal into a future gift. On a busy day, a ready meal waits for you. This matters because it saves time and stress. Your future self will thank you for the planning.
To reheat, use your skillet or microwave. Add a splash of broth or water. This brings the sauce back to life. It makes your beef stir fry recipe taste fresh. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Stir Fry Hiccups
Even easy recipes can have little problems. Here are three common ones. First, watery sauce. Your cornstarch slurry fixes this. Make sure your sauce simmers after adding it. I once added slurry to a cool pan. My sauce never thickened! This matters because a glossy sauce coats everything beautifully.
Second, soggy broccoli. Cook it just until tender-crisp first. Then take it out of the pan. You add it back at the very end. This keeps its bright green color and nice crunch. Third, bland flavor. Taste your sauce in the cup before adding. You can add a pinch more ginger or red pepper flakes.
Fixing these small issues builds your cooking confidence. You learn how each step affects the final dish. Your family dinner ideas will turn out perfect every time. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
What is the best cut of beef for beef and broccoli?
For our recipe, we use ground beef. It is perfect for a fast, one skillet meal. For a classic beef and broccoli stir fry with slices, use flank steak or sirloin. Slice the meat thinly against the grain. This makes it much easier to chew. Ground beef recipes are wonderful for a simple, 30-minute meal any night.
How do you make beef tender for stir fry?
For ground beef, just avoid overcooking. Brown it until no pink remains. For steak slices, a marinade helps. Use a little soy sauce, oil, and cornstarch. The cornstarch is the secret. It coats the beef and keeps it tender during quick, high-heat cooking. This trick makes your beef stir fry recipe restaurant-quality.
Can I use frozen broccoli for beef and broccoli?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. There is no need to thaw it first. Just add it straight to the hot skillet. You may need to cook it a minute longer. Fresh broccoli gets tender-crisp faster. But frozen works great for meal prep recipes when you need convenience.
What is the sauce for beef and broccoli made of?
The sauce is a simple, tasty mix. It uses beef broth, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Flavor comes from garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. A cornstarch slurry thickens it into a glossy gravy. It’s savory, a little sweet, and has a gentle kick. It’s what makes this easy ground beef and broccoli so good.
How do you thicken beef and broccoli sauce?
You thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry. Mix cornstarch with cold water first. Stir this into your simmering sauce. Keep stirring for a minute or two. The sauce will turn from thin to thick. *Fun fact: Always mix cornstarch with a cold liquid. It prevents lumpy sauce!
What can I substitute for oyster sauce in beef and broccoli?
Our recipe doesn’t need oyster sauce. But if another does, try hoisin sauce. Use the same amount. Or, mix soy sauce with a little brown sugar and a dash of fish sauce. This creates a similar rich, savory flavor. It keeps your family dinner ideas flexible with what you have at home. Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love this cozy, one skillet meal. It has been a favorite in my home for years. Nothing beats a healthy, 30-minute meal that everyone enjoys. I love hearing your stories and seeing your own kitchen creations.
Please tell me all about your cooking adventure. Have you tried this recipe? Did your family like it? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Your stories are my favorite part of this job.
Happy cooking!
—Danielle Monroe.
Savory Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Description
A quick and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring tender ground beef and crisp broccoli in a savory, slightly sweet sauce.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the white rice according to package instructions or personal preference.
- Trim the broccoli florets from the main stalk, aiming for similar sized pieces. Slice the onion and mince the garlic and ginger if not using prepared options.
- Stir all sauce ingredients together in a measuring cup (beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes). Whisk until combined. Stir the cornstarch into the cold water to form a slurry and set aside.
- Once ready to cook, heat a large skillet over high heat. Once heated, add the cooking oil. Add the broccoli and onions and sauté, stirring frequently, until the broccoli is tender-crisp and the onions are browned, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer into a prep bowl and set aside.
- In the same pan, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Cook until no pink remains, about 4 to 5 minutes. Option to drain the ground beef before adding the prepared sauce ingredients and stir to deglaze the bottom of the skillet. Add the cornstarch slurry and stir to combine. Simmer 2-3 minutes or until the sauce is thickened to a gravy consistency.
- Fold in the broccoli and onions, stirring until all ingredients are coated in the sauce. Serve over white rice and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and additional red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, let it simmer a minute longer. For a thinner sauce, add a splash of beef broth. Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level.