This Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe is a quick weeknight meal that will impress the whole family! Fresh broccoli and browned ground beef are wrapped in a smooth, savory sauce and served with rice.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Grass Run Farms. I was compensated for my time and all opinions are my own. And as always, thanks for supporting the partners who support Street Smart Nutrition!
In my house, we are huge fans of a good stir fry recipe. To me, it’s the ultimate hack to a complete meal on a busy night. It’s my favorite way to make sure we all get a high-quality protein and plenty of nourishing veggies without overthinking it. And we keep coming back to this Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe with white rice over and over again!
I’m excited to partner with Grass Run Farms to share it with you. More on that below, but first, let me brag on this easy weeknight dinner recipe a little bit more.
Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef and Broccoli Recipe
- Beef and broccoli is a familiar favorite your entire family is sure to love! And if you do the cooking, you’ll appreciate that it’s such a simple recipe to prepare.
- Save yourself some time and effort with dishes, since this ground beef and broccoli dish can be made in one skillet.
- It only takes a short time to stir fry the veggies and brown the ground beef. So when I say it’s a less-than-30-minute meal, I truly mean that!
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Grass Run Farms 100% Grass Fed Ground Beef
So why use ground beef for this beef and broccoli recipe? I admit, it’s not the most traditional version of the dish, since most restaurants that feature it on their menus use slices of beef instead. But indulge me while I make the case for ground beef. And in particular, Grass Run Farms 100% Grass Fed and Finished Ground Beef.
Ground beef is such a versatile and familiar option for cooking beef at home. It can also be one of the most affordable options in the meat case. But this convenience doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality, nutrition, or unmatched beef flavor. That’s why I’m such a fan of Grass Run Farms, because many of their values match mine. And first and foremost is great taste and great nutrition!
Ground Beef Nutrition
Beef delivers 10 essential nutrients your body needs. The list includes protein, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins such as vitamin B6, B12, niacin, and riboflavin. You’ll also get some phosphorus, iron, and choline. All of that nutrition is in every 3-ounce cooked serving of beef.
These crucial nutrients perform a variety of functions in our body, but to me, beef nutrition is more than just the sum of its parts. Its rich flavor contributes to satisfaction and enjoyment of meals. Plus, it can be a way to try new flavor combinations or cooking techniques.
That’s always an important consideration for me when I’m cooking for my family. With so much nutrition and value packed into each pound, ground beef like this package from Grass Run Farms is a staple in our kitchen. Especially for quick and easy weeknight meals like this Ground Beef and Broccoli stir fry!
When you’re shopping, look for Grass Run Farms in the meat case at your local grocery store. And they have many delicious offerings besides the 80/20 ground beef! Check out their online store locator to see what’s available where you live.
As a dietitian, I hear a lot of my clients say they feel intimidated by stir fry recipes like this one. And I get it, because if you didn’t grow up making or eating these types of meals it can feel like you aren’t sure where to start. But I’ll walk you through the simple process step-by-step. Trust me, if you’ve ever browned ground beef for another recipe, you are already ahead of the curve!
First, let’s take a closer look at the ingredients for this Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
A handful of basic ingredients come together with a flavorful sauce, tossed with juicy ground beef, broccoli florets, and thinly sliced onions. Here’s what to add to your shopping list:
- Grass Run Farms 100% Grass Fed Ground Beef. I love to use the 80/20 brick for a rich sauce and full flavor. It comes conveniently packaged in a one-pound size so you can use this in any recipe that calls for a pound of ground beef.
- Broccoli
- Onion
- Low sodium beef broth
- Low sodium soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
- Ginger paste
- Red pepper flakes and toasted sesame seeds
- Cooked rice. You can serve it with white rice or brown rice, but we always stick with my favorite white rice made in the rice cooker.
To cook this ground beef and broccoli recipe, you’ll need a cutting board and sharpened knife, a few prep bowls, measuring cups and spoons, and a large skillet such as a stainless or nonstick option.
How to Make Ground Beef and Broccoli
You’re about to see just how quick this quick weeknight dinner truly is! Let’s start with some veggie prep:
- Wash and dry the head of broccoli. Use a sharp knife to remove the florets from the main stalk, leaving some of the stems attached. Try to do your best to ensure they’re similar in size, which will help with even cooking. Add the pieces of broccoli to a prep bowl.
- Slice the onion into thin strips. Rough them up a little to separate them, then add them to the bowl with the broccoli.
- Peel and mince the garlic and ginger into a very fine dice. Or, if you prefer to use the pre-minced garlic and ginger paste (instead of fresh garlic and ginger) they can also be great options.
Next, move onto preparing the sauce. Mix the cornstarch with cold water in a small glass, creating a slurry. Set this aside, then measure the beef broth. Add the sauce ingredients (soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes) to the beef broth and whisk it together.
This stir fry cooks quickly so take a moment to prep your cooking space and make sure everything is within reach. You’re ready to cook!
Cooking Instructions
When you’re ready to begin, start heating your skillet over high heat. This is key, as you want to create seared edges without overcooking. Follow these simple steps for a delicious ground beef and broccoli stir fry.
- Add a small amount of oil and swirl it to coat the bottom of the pan. Then, add the broccoli and onions. It should really sizzle when it hits the hot pan!
- Stir frequently with a wooden spoon or heat-proof spatula. After 4-5 minutes, the broccoli should be tender-crisp and the onions should be fragrant and starting to brown. Transfer them back to their prep bowl.
- Add the 80/20 Grass Run Farms 100% Grass Fed Beef. Notice that you don’t need any extra cooking oil. To me, the excess fat in the beef is a great way to maximize flavor while minimizing extra steps and ingredients. Brown the ground beef for 4-5 minutes over medium-high heat, breaking it apart into small pieces as it cooks.
- Once the ground beef is fully browned with no pink remaining, add the sauce ingredients. Deglaze the bottom of the pan with the wooden spoon or spatula, grabbing up any stuck-on bits for extra flavor.
- Reduce the heat to medium heat before adding the cornstarch slurry. Stir to combine everything, and within a couple of minutes or less the sauce should thicken into a gravy-like consistency. At this point, add back the stir-fried broccoli and onions and fold together until everything is coated in the sauce.
Street Smart Nutrition Tip: If you prefer to drain the browned ground beef, do so prior to adding the sauce ingredients. Once you add the beef back into your skillet, continue with Step 4 as written above.
All that’s left to do at this point is serve it up!
Serving and Storage Tips
I highly recommend pairing this ground beef and broccoli recipe with white rice. It’s a classic for a reason! The starchy rice will soak up the velvety beef and broccoli sauce, which will cling to each grain and coat them in great flavor. I use an electric rice cooker, which takes about 30 minutes. If using a stovetop cooking method or other variety of rice, make sure to account for an adjusted cooking time, which may be longer or shorter.
When you’re ready to serve, simply add a scoop of cooked white rice to a bowl or plate. Spoon the ground beef and broccoli over the top and add some toasted sesame seeds or extra red pepper flakes if you want to. And this is totally optional, but you can add some sliced green onions or a drizzle of sesame oil for a little extra flavor as well.
Transfer any leftovers from this ground beef and broccoli recipe into an airtight container and refrigerate. You can store it for up to 4-5 days and reheat in short bursts in the microwave the next time you’re ready to eat it again. I find it easier to store with some cooked rice on the bottom and reheat everything together. The sauce will make sure the rice is tender, not hard or chewy.
Ground Beef and Broccoli
Equipment
- cutting board and sharpened knife
- prep bowl, large and small
- measuring cups and spoons
- large skillet or wok
- spatula or wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup yellow or white onion, sliced, about 1/2 onion
- 1 tbsp cooking oil, vegetable, peanut, or similar
- 1 lb 80/20 Grass Fun Farms 100% Grass Fed Ground Beef
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced, about 1 tbsp
- 2 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold water
- toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
- cooked white rice
Instructions
- Cook the white rice according to package instructions or personal preference.
- Trim the broccoli florets from the main stalk, aiming for similar sized pieces. Slice the onion and mince the garlic and ginger if not using prepared options.
- Stir all sauce ingredients together in a measuring cup (beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes). Whisk until combined. Stir the cornstarch into the cold water to form a slurry and set aside.
- Once ready to cook, heat a large skillet over high heat. Once heated, add the cooking oil. Add the broccoli and onions and sauté, stirring frequently, until the broccoli is tender-crisp and the onions are browned, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer into a prep bowl and set aside.
- In the same pan, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Cook until no pink remains, about 4 to 5 minutes. Option to drain the ground beef before adding the prepared sauce ingredients and stir to deglaze the bottom of the skillet. Add the cornstarch slurry and stir to combine. Simmer 2-3 minutes or until the sauce is thickened to a gravy consistency.
- Fold in the broccoli and onions, stirring until all ingredients are coated in the sauce. Serve over white rice and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and additional red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
I hope you and your family love this easy weeknight meal as much as we do! It’s a great option for busy weeknights and meal prep alike, so give it a try and see what you think.
And be sure to check out other recipes from the archives at Grass Run Farms. There are so many healthy ground beef recipes out there but they’re my first stop when I’m looking for inspiration at dinnertime. And as always, cheers to more fearlessly nourishing meals!
Questions & Reviews
This is so easy to make, and so good! We eat a lot of broccoli in my house and this is a great dish with our fave veggie! Easy-to-follow instructions are appreciated!
Thanks Patricia, I’m so glad you found the directions helpful! It’s a wonderfully simple recipe and a great way to enjoy a favorite veggie!
I love how quick and delicious this is. Made it on a busy Monday night and it was ready in no time! Thank you!
This recipe is amazing! I can’t wait to make it again…YUM!! The entire family loved it.
Such a great dinner idea! I love how easy this all came together and the family loved it! It’s a keeper!
Homemade version of beef and broccoli is so much better than take-out. This truly just took about 30 minutes to make and was perfect for weeknight dinner.
I made this when my family was craving Chinese food and everyone loved it. Such a fabulous recipe to keep in the weekly dinner rotation.
I really enjoyed it, as did my kids.
Personally I will be draining the grease next time, at least half. With 80/20 it was much but overall delicious
Hi Cory, thanks so much for your feedback. I added a quick note in the instructions about draining the grease, as I have a feeling you aren’t the only one who ran into that. Another option is using a more lean mix. I’ve made this using 85/15, which worked very well, although I can’t vouch for 90% lean since I haven’t tested that in this recipe. Thanks again, and glad you and your family enjoyed it!
I’ve made this recipe multiple times, never fails! I sometimes switch some of the broccoli for red peppers and it still works well. My three year old approves as well!
I’m so happy to hear that, Jessica, thanks for your feedback on this recipe! I like to swap in extra veggies too, so glad you and your family enjoy it!