You know those evenings? The ones where you get home, stare into the fridge, and just want something GOOD without a whole lot of fuss? Yeah, me too. That’s exactly why this Flavorful Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe has become my absolute go-to. It’s ridiculously fast, uses stuff I often already have, and comes together in like, 30 minutes tops. Seriously, it’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’ve actually *cooked* something amazing, but without all the kitchen chaos. My kids devour it, and honestly, so do I. It’s simple, it’s delicious, and it just works every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Flavorful Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe
Seriously, this stir fry is a weeknight winner for so many reasons. Here’s why it’s become my secret weapon for busy evenings:
- It’s lightning fast! Like, from start to finish, we’re talking 30 minutes, tops. Perfect for those nights when time is tight.
- So easy, even a beginner can do it. There’s nothing complicated here. Brown the beef, toss in some veggies, pour over a quick sauce. Done!
- Minimal cleanup is my love language. Usually, it’s just one skillet and a bowl for the sauce. Yes, please!
- It’s totally customizable. Don’t love broccoli? Swap it or add more veggies. Want it spicier? Throw in some chili flakes. You get to play chef!
- The flavor is just *chef’s kiss*. That savory sauce clinging to everything? Pure comfort food that tastes way more gourmet than it is.
Ingredients for Your Flavorful Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Okay, so gathering your ingredients is honestly the longest part of this whole recipe, and even that’s a breeze! You’ll want to have everything prepped and ready to go since this stir fry cooks up super fast. Trust me on this, having everything chopped and measured makes the actual cooking part a joy, not a race against the clock.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or any neutral oil you have on hand)
- 1 medium onion, chopped up nice and fine
- 2 cloves garlic, minced – the fresher the better!
- 1 cup broccoli florets (about half a small head, cut into bite-sized pieces)
For that amazing sauce:
- 1/2 cup beef broth (low-sodium is great if you’re watching salt)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari if you’re going gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (this is our thickener!)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (just a touch to balance the flavors)
And of course, you’ll want some cooked rice ready for serving. I usually toss some white or brown rice in the rice cooker when I start prepping my ingredients.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Flavorful Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Alright, let’s get this show on the road! This stir fry is seriously a breeze, and the steps are designed to be super straightforward, even when you’re juggling a million things after work. My secret is to have everything prepped and ready to go *before* you even turn on the stove. It makes the actual cooking part a total breeze!
First things first, let’s get that beef and those yummy aromatics going. Grab your biggest skillet or a wok if you have one – I find my trusty cast iron skillet works like a charm here. You’ll want to get that over medium-high heat and add in your tablespoon of vegetable oil. Once it’s shimmering, toss in the pound of ground beef. Now, give it a good stir, breaking it up with your spoon like you’re aerating it, until it’s nicely browned all over. Don’t be shy – get it good and brown! This is where a lot of that yummy flavor comes from. After it’s nicely browned, carefully drain off any excess grease. Nobody wants a greasy stir fry, right?
Preparing the Ground Beef and Aromatics
Okay, first up, heat up your biggest skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add in that tablespoon of vegetable oil and let it get nice and hot until it shimmers a bit. Now, throw in your ground beef. Grab your spoon and just start breaking it up as it cooks. You want it to get nice and browned all over! This step is key for flavor, so don’t rush it. Once it’s totally browned, carefully drain off any extra grease – we’re aiming for tasty, not oily!
Adding the Broccoli and Cooking
Once the beef is drained, toss in your chopped onion and minced garlic right into the same skillet. Give ’em a good stir and let them cook for about 3 to 5 minutes. You’re looking for that onion to get nice and soft and a little bit see-through. Then, add in your broccoli florets. Stir-fry them for just another 2 to 3 minutes. You want them to turn a beautiful bright green and get just a little bit tender. We don’t want mushy broccoli, just perfectly crisp-tender!
Creating the Flavorful Stir Fry Sauce
While the broccoli is doing its thing, let’s whip up that incredible sauce. Grab a small bowl and whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, and sugar. Make sure you whisk until it’s totally smooth – no lumps allowed! That cornstarch needs to be dissolved really well, or you’ll get little pasty bits in your sauce, and nobody wants that. This is our magic potion right here! If you’re feeling adventurous and want to make your own sauce from scratch, a homemade teriyaki sauce would be amazing here too, just adjust the saltiness!
Combining and Thickening the Stir Fry
Now for the grand finale! Pour that silky sauce mixture right into the skillet with your beef and broccoli. Stir everything constantly. Seriously, keep it moving! You’ll see the sauce start to bubble and thicken up really quickly, probably in about 1 to 2 minutes. It’s so satisfying to watch it transform and coat everything in that glossy, savory goodness. Make sure every piece of beef and broccoli is coated in that amazing sauce.
Serving Your Delicious Stir Fry
And just like that, you’re done! Serve this flavor-packed stir fry immediately over some fluffy cooked rice. It’s the perfect way to soak up all that delicious sauce. Seriously, enjoy every single bite! If you’re making your own rice, my simple egg fried rice is a fantastic companion dish!
Tips for the Best Flavorful Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Okay, so you’ve got the recipe, and it’s already pretty awesome, right? But if you’re like me and you love to squeeze *every last drop* of flavor and perfection out of a dish, here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up along the way. These aren’t totally necessary, but they really do take this quick stir fry from good to oh-so-memorable!
First off, don’t be afraid to really brown that ground beef. I know, I know, we drain the fat, but that browned crust on the beef? That’s pure *flavor bombs*, my friends. Get it nice and dark, don’t just cook it pale. Also, for the broccoli, make sure you don’t overcook it. It should still have a little bite to it when you serve it, that lovely bright green color, you know?
And the sauce! Make sure you whisk out those cornstarch lumps. Seriously, a smooth sauce makes all the difference. If it seems a little thin when you first pour it in, just give it another minute or two of constant stirring over the heat, and it’ll thicken beautifully. Don’t give up on it too soon!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
You know, one of the best things about this Flavorful Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe is how forgiving it is! If you don’t have exactly what’s listed, no sweat. For the soy sauce, if you’re watching gluten, tamari is a fantastic swap – it’s pretty much the same thing. If you want an extra little kick, regular soy sauce works fine too, or even coconut aminos for a slightly different flavor profile.
And broccoli? Totally versatile! I’ve tossed in sliced bell peppers, shredded carrots, snap peas, even edamame. Whatever veggies you have lurking in the crisper drawer will likely work beautifully. And for that little bit of heat? A pinch of red pepper flakes mixed into the sauce, or even a drizzle of chili garlic sauce at the end, is a game-changer!
Frequently Asked Questions About This Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Got questions about whipping up this tasty stir fry? I’ve got you covered! People ask me lots of things, and I’m happy to share what I know to make sure your stir fry is absolutely perfect.
Can I use a different kind of beef?
You sure can! While ground beef is my favorite because it’s quick and easy, you could totally use thinly sliced steak, like sirloin or flank steak. Just make sure to slice it against the grain and cook it super fast over high heat so it doesn’t get tough. Chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces, work wonderfully too! Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
How can I make this stir fry spicier?
Oh, I love a little heat! The easiest way is to add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes right into the sauce mixture before you pour it in. You could also add a few dashes of sriracha or your favorite hot sauce. If you want a really delicious kick, consider stirring in some homemade chili garlic sauce at the end. Just experiment until you find your perfect level of spice!
Can I make the stir fry ahead of time?
Great question! Stir fries are definitely best right after they’re made when everything is fresh and crisp-tender. However, you *can* cook the beef and veggies ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge. Then, when you’re ready to eat, just reheat the beef and veggies in the skillet, whisk up the sauce, pour it in, and thicken it as usual. The sauce might need a little extra stirring to get back to that perfect consistency.
What if I don’t have beef broth for the sauce?
No beef broth? No problem! Chicken broth or even vegetable broth works just fine and will still give you a great flavor. If you’re really in a pinch, you could even use water, but you might want to add a tiny bit more soy sauce or a pinch of salt to make up for the lost flavor. That liquid is what helps dissolve the cornstarch and create that lovely sauce, so don’t skip it!
Nutritional Information
Just a quick heads-up, the nutritional info is always an estimate, since we’re all using slightly different ingredients! But for a serving of this Flavorful Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, you’re looking at roughly 350 calories. It’s packed with about 25g of protein, 20g of carbs (with 3g of fiber!), and around 18g of fat. It’s a pretty well-balanced meal that leaves you feeling satisfied without being weighed down!
Share Your Culinary Creations!
I hope you absolutely love making and eating this Flavorful Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe as much as I do! If you give it a try, please, pretty please, leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out for you. I’d also love to hear if you tweaked it or added your own spin! Feel free to rate it too – it really helps other cooks find the recipe. And if you snap any pics on Instagram, tag me – I can’t wait to see your delicious creations!
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Flavorful Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy ground beef and broccoli stir fry recipe with a savory sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is softened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the broccoli florets and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, and sugar until smooth.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the beef and broccoli.
- Stir constantly until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
- Serve the stir fry immediately over cooked rice.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: ground beef, broccoli, stir fry, beef and broccoli, easy recipe, quick dinner, Asian stir fry