Description

This Ground Beef and Broccoli stir-fry is a quick and flavorful dish combining tender beef, crisp broccoli, and a savory-sweet homemade sauce made with soy, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar. Served over fluffy cooked rice, it’s a perfect weeknight meal that balances protein and vegetables with a rich, thickened sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 Tablespoon peanut oil (can substitute vegetable or olive oil)
3 cups broccoli florets (washed and patted dry)
1 lb. ground beef
1 yellow onion (diced)
1 red bell pepper (sliced)
Salt and white pepper to taste
3 cups cooked rice (any kind)

Sauce and Thickener

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

Instructions

Prep Work: Combine cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water in a covered container and shake to mix. Set aside in a cool place. In a medium bowl, mix beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey (start with 1 tablespoon), minced garlic, ground ginger, and toasted sesame oil to create the sauce and set aside.
Cook the Broccoli: Heat peanut oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add broccoli florets and toss to coat in oil. Cook for 4-5 minutes until broccoli is slightly softened but still crisp. Remove from pan and set aside.
Cook the Beef and Vegetables: Season ground beef with salt and white pepper if desired. Increase heat to medium-high, add beef and diced onions to the pan, breaking up the meat and cooking until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease. Add sliced red bell pepper and cook for an additional 1 minute.
Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the pan with the beef and vegetables. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to let it simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes.
Thicken the Sauce: Shake the cornstarch mixture again and slowly stir it into the simmering sauce. Continue to cook gently until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
Combine Broccoli and Heat Through: Lower the heat to low and add the cooked broccoli back into the pan. Stir well to combine and heat everything through.
Serve: Serve the ground beef and broccoli hot over cooked rice. Garnish with green onions if desired for added freshness and crunch.

Notes

For best results, make sure broccoli is washed thoroughly and dried well to prevent splattering in oil.
You can adjust the sweetness of the sauce by adding more or less honey depending on your taste preference.
To make perfectly cooked rice, rinse rice before cooking and use the appropriate water-to-rice ratio based on rice type, cooking with a tight-fitting lid on low heat.
Use fresh ginger instead of ground if available for a more vibrant flavor.
Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American-Chinese

Keywords: ground beef broccoli stir fry, easy beef and broccoli, quick stir fry recipe, homemade beef broccoli sauce