Ground Beef and Broccoli

A quick and tasty meal made with ground beef, broccoli, bell peppers, garlic, soy sauce, and honey. Easy weeknight dinner!

this Recipe

So here’s the real story. One Tuesday night, I stared into the fridge with zero inspiration and less than zero motivation. You know the drill—everyone’s hungry, I forgot to thaw the chicken (again), and my brain had already checked out for the day. But I did have ground beef. And a tired head of broccoli.

That was it. That was my jumping-off point. I started throwing things into the pan—some soy sauce here, garlic there, a little honey for good vibes—and by some miracle, it worked. My kids asked if it was from a restaurant. My partner said it reminded them of something we had on that trip to Seattle years ago. I just stood there blinking, shocked that this might be a keeper.

Now it’s in our regular dinner rotation, and every time I make it, I’m low-key proud of Past Me for winging it and somehow nailing it.

Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef and Broccoli Recipe?

This isn’t just another stir-fry. This one’s got personality. It’s got sweet, it’s got savory, and it’s got just enough kick to keep things interesting.

• Dinner in 30 minutes or less. Faster than scrolling through TikTok trying to decide what to make.

• Budget-friendly. Ground beef and broccoli don’t break the bank. Plus, no fancy ingredients you’ll use once and forget in the back of your pantry.

• Versatile. Add more veggies, skip the rice, toss it on noodles—you do you.

• The sauce is the star. It clings to every bite and somehow tastes like it simmered for hours.

Ingredient Notes:

I like to give the ingredients a little spotlight before we jump in. Here’s what you’ll need—and why they matter:

• Ground beef – I usually go for 85/15, but if you’re feeling indulgent or have something leaner, roll with it.

• Broccoli – Fresh is great, but frozen will totally work if that’s what you’ve got.

• Yellow onion + red bell pepper – Flavor and color. Makes it look like you tried harder than you did.

• Garlic + ginger – Honestly, use fresh if you can, but I’ve done it with powdered and no one noticed.

• Soy sauce, brown sugar, and honey – This combo is where the sauce magic happens.

• Toasted sesame oil – Don’t skip it. It adds that “takeout-but-homemade” vibe.

• Cornstarch slurry – Thickens the sauce just right. No watery sadness here.

How To Make Ground Beef and Broccoli?

Step 1: Prep the Sauce

Whisk together all your sauce ingredients in a bowl. Or toss them into a jar and shake it like a maraca. Keep it close—you’ll need it soon.

Step 2: Get the Broccoli Going

Heat a splash of oil in a big ol’ pan. Toss in the broccoli and let it cook for 4–5 minutes. You want it bright green and just starting to soften. Pull it out and set it aside like a VIP.

Step 3: Brown That Beef

In the same pan, cook the ground beef with chopped onion. Season with a little salt and white pepper. When it’s browned, drain off the grease (or don’t—we’ve all had those nights). Toss in the bell pepper slices and sauté for another minute.

Step 4: Sauce Time

Pour in the sauce you made earlier. Let it bubble and simmer for a few minutes to marry all those delicious flavors. Stir in the cornstarch slurry slowly—it’ll thicken up beautifully.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Add your broccoli back in. Stir everything together so it’s cozy and saucy. Let it heat through, and then—boom—dinner is DONE.

Storage Options:

• Fridge: Keeps well for 3–4 days in an airtight container.

• Freezer: Totally freezable, but skip the rice and freeze the meat + veggie mix on its own.

• Reheat: Microwave or stovetop. Add a splash of water if the sauce thickened too much in the fridge.

Variations and Substitutions:

• No beef? Try ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles.

• Add heat. A squirt of sriracha or a pinch of chili flakes can wake things up.

• More veg? Toss in snow peas, mushrooms, zucchini—go wild.

• Gluten-free? Use tamari instead of soy sauce. Just double-check those broth labels too.

What to Serve with Ground Beef and Broccoli?

• Rice (duh) – Jasmine, basmati, white, brown…whatever you’ve got.

• Cauliflower rice – If you’re low-carbing it.

• Ramen or lo mein noodles – Game changer.

• Side salad – Balance, right?

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make it ahead of time?
Totally. In fact, the flavors get even better the next day. Just store it separate from the rice.

Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes, just make sure it’s thawed and patted dry so it doesn’t water down the sauce.

How do I make it spicier?
Red pepper flakes, sriracha, chili garlic sauce—whatever you’ve got works.

And there you go, my friend—Ground Beef and Broccoli, done and dusted. It’s the kind of weeknight dinner that doesn’t feel like a last-minute scramble, but still comes together in a flash.

Give it a go, and if your crew loves it too? Let me know—I live for dinner wins!

Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:

Creamy Garlic Mushrooms And Bacon

Delicious Brown Sugar Glazed Ham Recipe

My Grandma’s Brownies: The Best Brownies You’ve Ever Tasted

5 from 1 vote

Ground Beef and Broccoli

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Embark, on an adventure with our mouthwatering recipe, for Ground Beef and Broccoli. This gastronomic symphony unites the tender goodness of ground beef with the crunch of broccoli florets resulting in a mixture of savory and sweet tastes. The addition of onions and red bell peppers adds a blast of taste constructing a gorgeous dish that is as delightful as it is appealing. What truly sets this recipe apart is the weapon. A sauce made with soy, honey and toasted sesame oil that adds an irresistible umami touch to every bite. Best of all this masterpiece can be whipped up in 30 minutes promising not only a delicious meal but also a memorable dining experience that will captivate your senses. So gather your ingredients. Get ready to enjoy a culinary performance that will have everyone applauding at the dinner table.

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4 Servings

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• 1 tbsp peanut oil can substitute with vegetable or olive oil
• 3 c broccoli florets washed and patted dry
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 yellow onion diced
• 1 red bell pepper sliced
• Salt/White Pepper to taste

Sauce:

• 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water
• 1 c beef broth
• 1/4 c soy sauce
• 3 tbsp packed brown sugar
• 1-2 tbsp honey
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil

For Serving:

• 3 c cooked rice any kind

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Instructions

 

1. Before you begin cooking make sure to prepare the ingredients. Start by mixing 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with an amount of water, in a covered container. In a bowl combine the sauce ingredients. Set them aside.
2. Now let's move on to cooking the vegetables. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan. Add 3 cups of broccoli. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the broccoli becomes slightly soft. Once done set it aside.
3. Next, it's time to cook the beef. Season 1 pound of ground beef. Cook it with onions until it turns brown. Once cooked drain any grease. Add sliced bell peppers to the pan. Cook them for a minute.
4. Now comes the sauce part. Pour in the prepared sauce mixture into the pan with beef and bell peppers. Bring it to a boil. Then let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. To thicken up the sauce slowly stir in the cornstarch mixture.
5. Lastly, we'll bring everything together. Reduce the heat. Add back the cooked broccoli to the pan with beef and sauce mixture. Stir everything together well to combine all flavors and heat through properly. Before serving over 3 cups of rice garnish with some onions, for added freshness.
6. Enjoy your meal!

Notes

If you're looking for a culinary experience, why not try our Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe? Just make sure to use gluten-free soy sauce and check that your beef broth is also gluten-free. The combination of flavors is absolutely delightful offering a balance of savory and sweet without sacrificing any preferences. Indulge, in this gluten-free dish, where each bite is, like a celebration of culinary perfection.

Audrey

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Let me know! Mention @nodashofgluten or tag #nodashofgluten

Bitty

I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!

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