Quick and Easy Ground Beef and Broccoli Recipe (Serves 4)

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Key Points:

• Perfect weeknight dinner using simple pantry ingredients
• Ready in just 35 minutes from start to finish
• Healthier and more affordable than takeout
• Customizable heat level and vegetable options

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Want a fast, delicious dinner that’s better than takeout? This ground beef and broccoli recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor using simple ingredients you probably have right now. Perfect for busy families, this dish combines juicy ground beef with crisp broccoli in a rich, savory sauce.

Equipment Needed

• Large skillet or wok (12-inch size or larger)
• Sharp chef’s knife
• Sturdy cutting board (preferably plastic for meat handling)
• Measuring cups (both dry and liquid measures)
• Measuring spoons
• Large mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl for sauce
• Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
• Colander or strainer for draining beef
• Timer (phone timer works great)
• Grater for ginger
• Garlic press (optional)

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

• 1/2 cup low sodium beef broth (any brand)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil (found in Asian food section)

For the Main Dish:

• 1 pound lean ground beef (80/20 recommended)
• 2 cups broccoli florets (about 1 large head)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil (vegetable or canola)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Garnishes:

• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• Red pepper flakes (start with 1/4 teaspoon)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Before You Start

1. Gather Your Tools (2-3 minutes):

• Place all equipment on clean counter
• Make sure you have enough counter space
• Keep a kitchen towel nearby for spills
• Have a trash bowl ready for scraps

1. Organize Your Workspace (2 minutes):

• Clear and clean your countertop
• Set up your cutting board
• Place ingredients on one side
• Keep measuring tools within reach

Preparation Phase (10-12 minutes)

3. Make the Sauce (3-4 minutes):

• Get your small mixing bowl
• Measure 1/2 cup beef broth (exactly level)
• Add 1/4 cup soy sauce
• Measure and add 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• Important: In a separate small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water until smooth
• Add cornstarch mixture to sauce
• Add 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Whisk everything together until sugar dissolves
• Set aside where you won’t knock it over

3. Prepare Broccoli (4-5 minutes):

• Rinse broccoli head under cold water
• Pat dry with paper towels
• Cut off thick stem
• Cut florets into bite-sized pieces (about 1.5 inches)
• Make sure pieces are similar in size
• Place in bowl, set aside

3. Prepare Aromatics (3-4 minutes):

• Peel garlic cloves
• Either:
  • Mince with knife (cut into tiny pieces)
  • Or use garlic press
• Peel ginger with spoon edge
• Grate ginger using small holes of grater
• Place both in small bowl
• Wash hands thoroughly

Cooking Phase (20-25 minutes)

6. Heat Your Pan (2-3 minutes):

• Place large skillet on burner
• Set heat to medium-high
• Add 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• Wait until oil shimmers (1-2 minutes)
• Tip: Drop a tiny piece of beef – if it sizzles, pan is ready

6. Cook the Ground Beef (8-10 minutes):

• Add ground beef to hot pan
• Break up meat immediately with wooden spoon
• Keep breaking into small pieces while cooking
• Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• Cook until no pink remains
• Check by cutting largest pieces
• Color should be brown, not pink
• Drain excess fat if desired:
  • Turn off heat
  • Carefully tilt pan
  • Spoon out excess fat
  • Or drain through colander

6. Cook Aromatics (1-2 minutes):

• Return pan to medium-high heat
• Add minced garlic and ginger
• Stir constantly
• Cook for 30 seconds only
• Watch carefully – garlic burns easily
• Should smell fragrant but not brown

6. Add and Cook Broccoli (6-7 minutes):

• Add broccoli to pan
• Stir to combine with meat
• Cook for 2 minutes, stirring often
• Add 2 tablespoons water
• Cover pan with lid
• Steam for 3-4 minutes
• Check with fork – should be tender-crisp

6. Finish with Sauce (4-5 minutes):
   • Stir sauce mixture again (cornstarch settles)
   • Pour slowly around pan
   • Stir constantly while adding
   • Keep stirring as sauce bubbles
   • Cook until sauce thickens
   • Should coat back of spoon
   • Test: Draw finger across spoon – line should hold
7. Final Adjustments (2-3 minutes):
   • Taste carefully (it’s hot!)
   • Add salt if needed (start with 1/4 teaspoon)
   • Add pepper if desired
   • If too thick, add beef broth (1 tablespoon at a time)
   • If too thin, cook 1-2 minutes more

Serving Phase (2-3 minutes)

12. Garnish and Serve:
    • Turn off heat
    • Add garnishes if using:
    • Sprinkle sesame seeds
    • Add sliced green onions
    • Sprinkle red pepper flakes
    • Serve immediately while hot
    • Portion into 4 equal servings

Troubleshooting Tips

• Sauce too thick? Add beef broth 1 tablespoon at a time, stir and check
• Sauce too thin? Mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water, stir in
• Broccoli too crunchy? Cover and steam 2-3 more minutes
• Beef clumping? Use higher heat and break up meat continuously while cooking
• Garlic burning? Lower heat immediately, remove pan briefly if needed
• Sauce not thickening? Make sure it’s bubbling and stir constantly

Variations

• Protein Options:
• Ground turkey (93% lean)
• Ground chicken
• Ground pork
• Plant-based ground meat substitute
• Vegetable Add-ins:
• Sliced carrots (add with broccoli)
• Mushrooms (add after broccoli)
• Snap peas (add last 2 minutes)
• Bell peppers (add with broccoli)
• Spice Level Adjustments:
• Mild: Omit red pepper flakes
• Medium: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Hot: 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes + 1 teaspoon sriracha
• Extra Hot: 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes + 2 teaspoons sriracha
• Low-carb Version:
• Replace brown sugar with sugar substitute
• Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce
• Add extra vegetables instead of serving with rice

Storage and Reheating

• Storage:
• Let cool completely (about 30 minutes)
• Place in airtight container
• Keep in refrigerator up to 3 days
• Label container with date
• Freezing:
• Cool completely
• Place in freezer-safe container
• Remove as much air as possible
• Freeze up to 2 months
• Label with date and contents
• Reheating:
• Microwave: 1-2 minutes in 30-second intervals, stir between
• Stovetop: Medium heat, 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally
• Add 1-2 tablespoons beef broth when reheating
• Heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C)

Safety Notes

• Food Safety:
• Cook ground beef to 160°F (71°C)
• Use meat thermometer to check
• Wash hands after handling raw meat
• Use separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables
• Clean all surfaces that touched raw meat
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
• Kitchen Safety:
• Keep pot handles turned inward
• Use oven mitts for hot pans
• Keep paper towels away from heat
• Have fire extinguisher nearby
• Know how to put out grease fire

Pro Tips

• For Best Results:
• Remove meat from fridge 15 minutes before cooking
• Cut broccoli into uniform pieces for even cooking
• Toast sesame seeds in dry pan before using
• Use freshly grated ginger, not powder
• Pat broccoli dry after washing
• Don’t overcrowd the pan