A budget-friendly twist on the classic stir-fry that even complete cooking beginners can master
Key Takeaways:
- Perfect weeknight Honey Garlic Ground Beef And Broccoli ready in just 30 minutes
- Uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand
- Makes 4 generous servings
- Beginner-friendly with detailed instructions
Want to make a restaurant-quality dinner at home? This Honey Garlic Ground Beef And Broccoli transforms simple ingredients into a delicious meal. If you enjoy flavorful beef dishes like my popular Stovetop Creamy Ground Beef Pasta, you’ll love this Asian-inspired recipe. Perfect for beginners, I’ve broken down every step so you can cook with confidence.
Quick Facts
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories per serving: 425
Equipment Needed
- Large skillet or wok (12-inch size is ideal)
- Measuring cups (both dry and liquid measures)
- Measuring spoons
- Cutting board (preferably plastic for meat safety)
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Small mixing bowl for sauce
- Medium bowl for holding cooked beef
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Timer (phone timer works great)
- Paper towels
Ingredients for Honey Garlic Ground Beef And Broccoli
For the Main Dish:
- 1 pound lean ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 works best)
- 1 large head broccoli (about 4 cups when cut into florets)
- 1 small onion (yellow or white)
- 4 cloves fresh garlic
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey (any kind)
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup water (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For Serving:
- 4 cups cooked rice
- 2 green onions for garnish (optional)
Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions
Before You Start
- Read through the entire recipe once
- Get all ingredients and equipment out on counter
- Start cooking rice according to package instructions
- Clear and clean your workspace
Preparation Phase (10-12 minutes)
Cutting the Vegetables
- Broccoli preparation:
- Rinse broccoli head under cold water
- Cut off thick stem at base
- Break or cut large head into smaller sections
- Cut each section into bite-sized florets (about 1.5 inches)
- Place florets in colander and rinse again
- Let drain while preparing other ingredients
- Onion preparation:
- Cut off both ends of onion
- Peel outer skin and first layer
- Cut onion in half from top to bottom
- Place flat side down and cut into thin slices
- Turn and cut across slices to dice
- Aim for pieces about 1/4 inch in size
- Garlic preparation:
- Separate 8 cloves from head (4 for meat, 4 for sauce)
- Peel each clove
- Place flat side of knife on clove and press to crush
- Finely chop crushed garlic
- Keep sauce garlic separate from meat garlic
Making the Honey Garlic Sauce
- In small mixing bowl combine:
- Measure 1/3 cup honey (spray measuring cup with oil first for easy honey release)
- Add 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- Add 4 cloves minced garlic
- Make cornstarch slurry:
- In separate small bowl, combine 1/4 cup water and 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Stir until cornstarch is completely dissolved (no lumps)
- Add to sauce mixture
- Whisk everything together until well combined
- Set sauce aside
Cooking Phase (20-25 minutes)
Step 1: Cooking the Beef (8-10 minutes)
- Prepare pan:
- Place large skillet on stove
- Turn heat to medium-high
- Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Let oil heat for 1 minute (should shimmer slightly)
- Cook beef:
- Add ground beef to pan
- Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Add 4 cloves minced garlic
- Break meat into small pieces using wooden spoon
- Keep breaking up meat while it cooks
- Cook until no pink remains (7-8 minutes)
- Remove beef to bowl using slotted spoon
- Leave about 1 tablespoon fat in pan
If you’re a fan of ground beef recipes, you might also enjoy my Ground Beef And Rice Skillet which uses a similar cooking technique.
Step 2: Cooking Vegetables (6-8 minutes)
- Same pan, add:
- Remaining 1 tablespoon oil
- Diced onions
- Cook 2-3 minutes until onions start to become translucent
- Stir occasionally to prevent burning
- Add broccoli:
- Add all broccoli florets to pan
- Stir to combine with onions
- Cook 4-5 minutes until broccoli is bright green
- Test piece with fork – should be slightly crisp but pierceable
Step 3: Final Assembly of Honey Garlic Ground Beef And Broccoli (5-7 minutes)
- Combine everything:
- Return cooked beef to pan
- Pour sauce mixture over everything
- Stir gently but thoroughly
- Finish cooking:
- Bring to gentle simmer
- Cook 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens
- Stir occasionally
- Sauce should coat back of spoon when ready
Step 4: Serving
- Check rice is cooked
- Portion rice into 4 bowls (1 cup each)
- Top with Honey Garlic Ground Beef And Broccoli mixture
- If using green onions:
- Thinly slice
- Sprinkle over top
Troubleshooting
| Common Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Sauce too thick | Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, stir and check consistency |
| Sauce too thin | Mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water, add gradually while stirring |
| Broccoli too crunchy | Cover pan with lid, cook 2-3 minutes more |
| Beef too greasy | Drain on paper towels before returning to pan |
| Garlic burning | Lower heat immediately, remove pan from heat if needed |
| Sauce not thickening | Increase heat slightly, continue stirring |
Variations & Substitutions for Honey Garlic Ground Beef And Broccoli
- Ground turkey for a leaner option
- Cauliflower instead of broccoli
- Brown rice or cauliflower rice for lower carbs
- Add carrots or peppers for extra vegetables
- Use maple syrup instead of honey
- Gluten-free soy sauce for gluten-free version
For a cheesier beef recipe alternative, try my Beef Queso Mac And Cheese for a completely different flavor profile.
Storage & Reheating
Storage:
- Let cool completely before storing
- Place in airtight container
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Freeze up to 3 months (sauce may separate but is safe)
Reheating:
- Microwave: 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway
- Stovetop: 5-7 minutes over medium heat
- Add 1-2 tablespoons water when reheating
- Stir occasionally while reheating
Safety Notes & Tips
- Always wash hands before and after handling raw meat
- Use separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables
- Cook ground beef to 160°F (71°C)
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – it prevents proper browning
- Keep heat at medium-high – too high will burn garlic
- Watch for hot oil splatters
- Let pan get hot before adding beef
- Use pot holders when handling hot pans
- Store leftovers within 2 hours of cooking
For Beginners: Essential Tips for Honey Garlic Ground Beef And Broccoli
- Prep all ingredients before starting to cook
- Keep ingredients close to stove while cooking
- Set out all measuring tools before starting
- Use timer for each step
- If something starts to burn, remove pan from heat
- It’s okay if it takes longer than 30 minutes your first time
- When in doubt, cook meat longer rather than shorter
This Honey Garlic Ground Beef And Broccoli recipe is perfect for building your cooking confidence. Take your time with each step, and remember that practice makes perfect. The more you make it, the easier and faster it becomes!
