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Easy 20-Minute Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

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This ground beef and broccoli stir fry is the dinner party secret weapon you didn’t know you needed. It is fast, it is forgiving, and it tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
  • 4 cups broccoli florets (about 1 large head)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted (optional)
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the sauce first. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, beef broth, and red pepper flakes. Set it aside. In another small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth.
  2. Prep your vegetables. Wash the broccoli and cut it into florets about the size of your thumb. Peel the stem and slice it into thin coins if you want to use it. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. Slice the green onions on a diagonal.
  3. Heat the pan. Place your skillet or wok over high heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Wait until the oil shimmers and you see a wisp of smoke, about 2 minutes.
  4. Cook the ground beef. Add the ground beef to the hot pan. Let it sit undisturbed for 1 minute to develop a crust. Then break it apart with a spatula and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the beef to a plate using a slotted spoon, leaving the drippings in the pan.
  5. Cook the aromatics. Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the garlic and ginger and stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Cook the broccoli. Add the broccoli florets to the pan. Stir to coat them in the oil and aromatics. Add 2 tablespoons of water to the pan and immediately cover it with a lid. Let the broccoli steam for 2 minutes. Uncover and cook for another minute to let the excess water evaporate.
  7. Combine everything. Return the cooked ground beef to the pan. Pour the sauce over everything and stir to combine. Bring it to a simmer.
  8. Thicken the sauce. Give the cornstarch slurry a quick stir and pour it into the pan. Stir constantly for about 1 minute as the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli.
  9. Finish and serve. Turn off the heat. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

Use 85% lean ground beef for best results. For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce. For a low-carb version, skip the brown sugar and use a sugar substitute. Prep all ingredients before starting to cook. Start your rice before beginning the stir fry for perfect timing.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, broccoli, stir fry, 20-minute meal, easy dinner, weeknight dinner, ground beef recipe, broccoli stir fry

Find it online: https://piperplate.com/easy-20-minute-ground-beef-and-broccoli-stir-fry/