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20 minute Ground Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Got 20 minutes, a pound of ground beef, and some broccoli on hand? You are so lucky: You have the core of this easy Ground Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry recipe all ready to go, the next time you need a quick weeknight dinner idea.

So, what do you do if you are craving stir fry for lunch — but, the only meat you have thawed in the fridge is a pound of ground beef? How about… 20 minute Ground Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry.

Why yes, beef & broccoli is more commonly made with steak. But, look how lovely it turned out with ground beef (and how much more affordable!). Don’t be afraid to experiment and mix things up a little.

ground beef and broccoli stir fried together

Using ground beef also helps keep the meat juicier; you have to be really careful not to overcook thinner strips of beef in a stir fry. Then, just a touch of cornstarch helps the garlicky sauce coat the tender beef and crisp-tender broccoli to perfection.

I kept things simple here with just the beef, broccoli, and sauce, but you could of course add in other veggies if desired. If you’re incorporating any veggies that take longer to cook through, though, you might want to stir fry those up in a separate pan before combining with the beef.

20 minute Ground Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

ground beef & broccoli stir fry ingredients

Ingredients

For the beef & veggies

1 lb ground beef
12 oz broccoli crowns, chopped into small pieces

For the sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce
1 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
2 tsp corn starch
2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper, depending on taste

For serving

Cooked rice
2 green onions, chopped (optional)
Sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

Start the rice cooking so that it’s ready for serving, if you don’t have pre-cooked rice handy. (Cooking rice will add a few minutes to the meal; the beef and broccoli part itself, however, takes just 20 minutes.)

break beef into chunks while browning

Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until just cooked through, breaking it into bite-sized pieces as you go, but not crumbling. Drain the fat and return the beef to the pan.

chopped broccoli

While the beef is cooking, combine the sauce ingredients and chop your broccoli. Stir the broccoli and sauce into the skillet with the browned ground beef.

beef and broccoli stir fry in skillet

Continue to stir fry the beef and veggies over medium-high heat for about five minutes until broccoli is crisp-tender and sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally.

Serve your beef & broccoli stir fry over cooked rice, topped with optional chopped green onion and/or sesame seeds.

Note: I used 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper in the sauce and didn’t find it particularly spicy, but reduce if you are sensitive to heat.

Such an easy way to do broccoli & beef

A 20 minute ground beef & broccoli stir fry weeknight dinner

20 minutes is all you need to get this easy ground beef & broccoli stir fry on the table — and, using ground beef helps keep the dish affordable.

This one was a definite hit with Middle School Guy, who enjoyed broccoli & beef for both lunch and dinner today. Sometimes, it’s the simple things in life… Or, at least, the simple recipes. I hope that you enjoy this savory stir fry (with just a touch of sweetness) as much as he does.

20 minute Ground Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry, printable recipe

20 minute Ground Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Got 20 minutes, a pound of ground beef, and some broccoli on hand? You are so lucky: You have the core of this easy Ground Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry recipe all ready to go, the next time you need a quick weeknight dinner idea.
Course dinner
Cuisine Stir Fry
Keyword 20 minute meals, broccoli, easy weeknight dinner, ground beef, stir fry
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

For the beef & veggies

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 12 oz broccoli crowns chopped into small pieces

For the sauce

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp minced garlic about 4 cloves
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper depending on taste

For serving

  • Cooked rice
  • 2 green onions chopped (optional)
  • Sesame seeds optional

Instructions

  • Start the rice cooking so that it’s ready for serving, if you don’t have pre-cooked rice handy. (Cooking rice will add a few minutes to the meal; the beef and broccoli part itself, however, takes just 20 minutes.)
  • Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until just cooked through, breaking it into bite-sized pieces as you go, but not crumbling. Drain the fat and return the beef to the pan.
  • While the beef is cooking, combine the sauce ingredients and chop your broccoli. Stir the broccoli and sauce into the skillet with the browned ground beef.
  • Continue to stir fry the beef and veggies over medium-high heat for about five minutes until broccoli is crisp-tender and sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve your beef & broccoli stir fry over cooked rice, topped with optional chopped green onion and/or sesame seeds.

Notes

I used 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper in the sauce and didn’t find it particularly spicy, but reduce if you are sensitive to heat.

Recipes in the real world

weekly ALDI meal plans from Mashup Mom -- six complete dinners for four, $60 out the door! MashupMom.com, every Wednesday.

Be sure not to miss the free ALDI meal plans, which show you how to use these easy family recipes to meal plan affordably and realistically for your family. Or, find more recipe ideas with the Recipe Search!

Be sure not to miss the free ALDI meal plans, which show you how to use these easy family recipes to meal plan affordably and realistically for your family. Or, find more recipe ideas with the Recipe Search!

Recipe Rating




Jeremy A

Tuesday 7th of November 2023

Wow! So simple, but jam packed with flavor! I added about a teaspoon of fish sauce to the sauce mixture for a little extra umami punch. Boy was it good! Served over rice with a side of fermented kohlrabi for a little acid. Who needs (insert your local Chinese restaurant here) when you've got this? Thanks for the recipe, it's a keeper!

Marcia

Wednesday 6th of September 2023

Made this for a quick weekday dinner. Very easy, and VERY TASTY! Followed recipe, except used Cayenne pepper instead of crushed Red Pepper. Served over rice made in the rice cooker. Highly recommend! Perfectly seasoned, very good! Will be making this again!

Nonya

Friday 4th of August 2023

I've tried so many recipes and although this one seems simple, it's the best one we've tried. My hubby is Filipino, but grew up here and loves American Chinese food, he loves this recipe, too. My mom and I do suggest making extra sauce, though.

Kristen

Sunday 5th of March 2023

This is so good!!! I didn't have ginger or sesame oil the first time I made (still never used the oil) but it's so yummy I also prefer the low sodium soy!!!! My family loves this new weekly dinner

Jessenia Nieves

Thursday 12th of May 2022

Super easy, my family loved it 🥰

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