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Ground Beef and Broccoli

A quick and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender ground beef, crisp-tender broccoli, and a savory Asian-inspired sauce that comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights with restaurant-quality results.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Asian Inspired
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20 blend
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets about 1 large head
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Sauce
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Garnish
  • 2 tablespoons green onions sliced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional

Equipment

  • Large skillet or wok
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's knife
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
  • Small bowl for mixing sauce
  • Measuring spoons and cups

Method
 

  1. Cut broccoli into bite-sized florets about 1.5 inches across. Mince garlic and ginger.
  2. Whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, cornstarch, water, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl until cornstarch fully dissolves. Set aside.
  3. Set a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and let it warm for about 1 minute until a drop of water sizzles on contact.
  4. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to the hot skillet, then crumble in the ground beef. Let it sit undisturbed for about 2 minutes, then break it into small pieces.
  5. Continue cooking for 5 to 7 minutes until beef is fully browned and no pink remains, stirring occasionally. Pour off any excess fat if needed.
  6. Push beef to the sides of the skillet and add minced garlic and ginger to the center. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Add broccoli florets to the skillet and stir everything together. Cook without stirring for about 2 minutes to let broccoli develop a light char.
  8. Stir broccoli and beef together, then cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until broccoli is crisp-tender and bright green.
  9. Give sauce a quick stir, then pour it into the skillet. Toss everything together and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

The key to crisp-tender broccoli is not stirring it constantly; let it sit for a minute or two at a time so the florets develop color and texture. Frozen broccoli works but reduce sauce liquid by 2 tablespoons. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Serve over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles.