This Ground Beef and Broccoli dish is a quick and tasty meal. With juicy beef and fresh broccoli, this recipe packs a flavorful punch! Plus, it’s super simple to make any night of the week.
If you’re like me, you love a one-pan dinner that doesn’t keep you in the kitchen for hours. Just cook the beef, toss in the broccoli, and you’ll have a hearty meal ready in no time!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef for a healthier option. If you prefer, swap it for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter dish. For a vegetarian twist, you can use textured vegetable protein or mushrooms as a substitute.
Broccoli: Fresh broccoli is best, but frozen florets work just as well. If you’re not a fan of broccoli, you can use snap peas, bell peppers, or any other vegetable you like.
Soy Sauce: This adds a salty umami flavor. For a gluten-free option, consider using tamari or coconut aminos. Low-sodium soy sauce is another great choice if you’re watching your salt intake.
Oyster Sauce: It gives a rich depth to the dish. If you’re vegetarian, try mushroom sauce as a substitute. You can also skip it if you’re avoiding seafood.
Cornstarch: This thickens the sauce. If you don’t have cornstarch, try using arrowroot powder or all-purpose flour, but use less flour than cornstarch.
How Do I Get the Right Texture When Cooking Ground Beef?
Getting ground beef just right sets the tone for the dish. Start by ensuring your skillet or wok is hot before adding the sesame oil. Here are some tips:
- Break the meat apart with a spatula rather than stirring constantly. This helps it brown nicely.
- Let it cook undisturbed for a minute or two to develop a nice sear before stirring.
- Drain excess fat after browning (if needed) to avoid a greasy dish.
Perfectly cooked ground beef enhances the whole meal, so take that extra moment to get it just right!
How to Make Ground Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Main Dish:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup cooked white rice (for serving)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup beef broth (or water)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
How Much Time Will You Need?
This yummy dish will take about 15 minutes to prepare and cook. You’ll spend a few minutes chopping and measuring ingredients, and then you can enjoy a delicious meal in no time!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Heating the Skillet:
Start by heating a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add the sesame oil and let it warm up for a moment. This will give your dish a tasty flavor.
2. Cooking the Ground Beef:
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Use a spatula to break it up as it cooks. Keep stirring until the beef is nicely browned, which will take about 5-7 minutes. If there’s excess fat, feel free to drain it off.
3. Adding Aromatics:
Once the beef is browned, toss in the minced garlic and ginger. Stir everything around for about 1 minute until you can smell the delicious aroma. This step adds great flavor to your dish!
4. Mixing the Sauce:
In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and beef broth. Mix it all together until it’s smooth. This will be the sauce that brings everything together!
5. Cooking the Broccoli:
Now, add the broccoli florets into the skillet. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and broccoli. Stir everything together so the sauce coats all the ingredients well.
6. Finishing the Dish:
Cook this mixture for an additional 5-7 minutes. You want the broccoli to be tender and the sauce to thicken a bit. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
7. Serving Up:
To serve, lay a generous scoop of cooked white rice on a plate and spoon the ground beef and broccoli mixture over it. This is where all the flavors come together!
8. Garnishing:
Lastly, sprinkle the chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top for an extra tasty touch. And voilà, your delicious Ground Beef and Broccoli is ready to enjoy!
Can I Use Frozen Broccoli Instead of Fresh?
Absolutely! You can use frozen broccoli florets for convenience. Just add them straight to the skillet when you would normally add fresh broccoli. You’ll want to increase the cooking time slightly (about 8-10 minutes) to ensure they are heated through and tender.
What If I Don’t Have Oyster Sauce?
No problem! If you don’t have oyster sauce on hand, you can substitute it with a mixture of soy sauce and a bit of sugar (1 tablespoon soy sauce to 1 teaspoon sugar). This will give you a similar sweet and salty flavor in the dish.
How Can I Make This Recipe Spicier?
If you like a bit of heat, you can add red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce mixture. Start with 1/2 teaspoon and adjust to your personal taste. You can also serve with sliced jalapeños for an extra kick!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. You can microwave it or warm it in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
