Ground Beef and Broccoli

Ground beef and broccoli is as easy as easy gets. If you’re a fan of ordering the classic beef and broccoli from Chinese takeout, you’ll love this faster version made with ground beef instead of chuck roast. This makes for a budget-friendly alternative and made with everyday ingredients that makes it really easy to bring together.

After making this, you won’t be placing an online order in the future! My version is so much tastier, with a thick sweet and savory sauce that coats every morsel of beef and broccoli. Serve this over white rice and this beef stir fry is sure to be gobbled right up with your family asking for seconds!

How to Make Ground Beef and Broccoli

• Make the sauce. Whisk all the ingredients for the sauce and set aside.
• Brown the ground beef. Heat a large skillet or wok to medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Using a spatula or meat chopper, break the ground beef into smaller pieces.
• Add the broccoli. When the beef has mostly cooked through and browned, add the sliced broccoli florets and cook for 5 minutes until it’s softened and tender.
• Bring the dish together. Pour sauce into the skillet and allow a moment for the sauce to thicken then toss together and ensure everything is coated in the sauce.
• Serve! Remove from heat and serve alongside white rice or fried rice and a side of cabbage stir fry for extra veggies!

Pro tip!

Slice your broccoli florets lengthwise into thinner slices to help cook it faster! You’ll see in the photos how this is sliced vs. the typical full florets.

Substitutions and Variations

• Feel free to swap out the ground beef for ground chicken, ground pork, or ground turkey.
• This recipe is not spicy (a very kid-friendly meal!) but if you’re looking to add some spice, I recommend using some garlic chili sauce or sriracha. You can either add this into the skillet to make the entire dish spicy or add this individually to your bowls when serving.
• Frozen broccoli is a great option to use if you don’t have fresh on hand. Be sure to thaw it and pat dry before adding to the skillet. You may also consider chopping it into a smaller cut than a full floret.
• Don’t want to use your stovetop? Try this slow cooker beef and broccoli or Instant Pot beef and broccoli.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Allow leftovers to come to room temperature before putting into an airtight container with a lid. This will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, use a microwave to warm through or stovetop in a skillet.