Description
This quick and hearty ground beef and broccoli stir fry is a weeknight hero—savory, protein-packed, and ready in under 20 minutes. With a glossy, flavorful sauce and crisp-tender broccoli, it’s a comforting homemade alternative to takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (85/15 preferred, but lean works too)
- 3 cups broccoli florets (fresh, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola or avocado)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced (optional garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional garnish)
- Steamed rice or noodles, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Chop broccoli into bite-sized florets (about 3 cups). Mince garlic, grate ginger, slice onion, and set aside. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Stir in the cornstarch slurry. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add garlic, ginger, and onion. Stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add broccoli florets. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes until bright green and just tender. For softer broccoli, add a splash of water and cover for 2 minutes.
- Pour in the sauce and stir everything together. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, letting the sauce bubble and thicken.
- Serve stir fry over steamed rice or noodles. Top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
For gluten-free, use tamari and check oyster sauce labels. Swap ground beef for turkey, chicken, tofu, or tempeh for dietary needs. Add extra veggies like carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas for variety. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of water; if too thin, simmer longer. Leftovers keep well and taste even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup stir fry (without rice or noodles)
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 22
Keywords: ground beef, broccoli, stir fry, easy dinner, quick recipe, weeknight meal, Asian, beef stir fry, broccoli stir fry, 20 minute dinner