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The best stir fries are salty, savory, sweet, and just a little bit spicy. This ground beef and broccoli stir fry nails all of those things.
Ground Beef Stir Fry
Ground beef is a winner when it comes to quick stir-fry meals. I keep packages of ground beef in my freezer with dinners like this one in mind.
To make this ground beef stir fry, you’ll start by cooking and crumbling the beef, then add the broccoli, along with a handful of seasonings, and let it cook for a few minutes.
You’ll have a skillet meal ready to go in very little time at all. By the time you can stir together the sauce, the rest of the dish will be nearly done cooking. It really is that easy.
If you’ve been around here for a while, then you’ll already know that I love cabbage and ground beef. You see them paired in this recipe for the Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls, and that recipe is a total game changer.
So, naturally, a ground beef and cabbage stir fry needed to happen. And if you’re like us and often have leftover rice in the fridge, ground beef fried rice is both savory and slightly sweet with a subtle touch of heat. Both of these ground beef stir-fries can be made in under 20 minutes!
Every ingredient here is simple enough to be found in most grocery stores. No running around town looking for hard-to-find ingredients. (Who has time for that?)
The chili paste is typically found in the Asian section of most stores. If you can’t find it locally, Amazon does sell my favorite chili paste.
If you’re leery of the heat, start with a lesser amount of chili paste. If you’re unfamiliar with it or don’t typically enjoy much heat in your foods, you might want to start with just a teaspoon instead of a tablespoon.
Love heat? Go big with it. Feel free to swap in Sriracha for the chili paste, if that’s easier for you to find. (But if you can find that chili paste, that’s my first choice every time!)
Ground Beef and Broccoli
The fact this stir fry is made with ground beef instead of a more expensive cut of beef makes it a great alternative to the pricier meats when you are craving Chinese food or an Asian-inspired meal.
You might be tempted to skip the broccoli rounds in this recipe, but please try them. They offer a bit of added texture and the boost of broccoli flavor is great too. It is easy and well worth the extra minute or two to slice them.
How to Cut Broccoli
The broccoli rounds give the dish a nice crunch, reminiscent of a water chestnut. I like to think of it as the budget-friendly crunch which is fitting for this flavor-filled less expensive version of a beef stir fry.
To slice broccoli rounds, you’ll start by cutting the long thick stalk off of the head of broccoli. Then peel the outside of the stalk enough to remove the brown areas.
Slice the stalk into thin rounds. You can use the rounds the same way you use broccoli florets. I love not throwing away that stem and minimizing waste.
The stir fry is delicious over rice. I use this rice cooker and this cast iron skillet to make this recipe. (I have fallen in love with that gorgeous skillet!)
This makes a great freezer meal too. Allow the stir fry to cool and then transfer to individual air-tight containers or a zip-close freezer bag. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight and it will reheat in minutes.
Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
Sauce Ingredients
- low-sodium soy sauce
- beef broth
- chili paste
- garlic
- fresh ginger
Stir Fry Ingredients
- ground beef
- cornstarch
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- fresh broccoli
Stir Fry Meals
Stir fry dinners are a go-to family meal for us. They are easy to make and can feed a small crowd.
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, they heat up well for a lunch the following day. In addition to that, most stir-fry recipes are versatile enough that you can really load them up with vegetables and still please everyone.
Shrimp, bell peppers, and pineapple simmered with your favorite barbecue sauce add up to a sweet and spicy shrimp bell pepper stir fry.
This Zucchini Stir Fry with Chicken is an easy dinner that delivers a whole lot of great flavor. Served on its own or over rice or noodles, we all really enjoy this meal.
Get dinner ready in minutes with this easy one pan recipe for Ground Beef and Cabbage. Tender crisp cabbage, carrots, and peppers combine with savory ground beef and leave a subtle, lingering heat that will have you wanting more.
Fresh green beans, ginger, and garlic are quickly sauteed with tender strips of beef before being tossed in a light savory sauce to create this easy Beef and Green Bean Stir Fry.
Tender strips of chicken, bell peppers, and onions are seasoned with taco spices, then cooked to crispy, juicy perfection in the air fryer. Serve these Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas in warm tortillas or over rice with your favorite toppings for a fresh and easy meal.
Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1-3 tablespoons chili paste adjust to preferred heat level
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger finely minced or grated
Stir Fry Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper adjust to taste
- 1½ pounds fresh broccoli cut into florets and rounds
Instructions
- In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, combine the soy sauce, beef broth, chili paste, garlic, and ginger. Whisk to combine and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef. When the beef has almost browned, sprinkle with cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat. Add the broccoli and pour the sauce into the skillet.
- Lower the heat to medium and continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and add more salt and pepper, only if needed. Serve on its own or over rice.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Boy, an I glad I only used one tbsp of chili paste in this. It’s pretty warm mary! Good flavor though. Is make it again, less garlic, less chili paste.
I’m so glad you liked it, Michele! Clearly, we like the heat. Thanks for the heads up that it was pretty spicy for you.