Description
This Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is a quick and delicious weeknight meal that combines tender ground beef with crisp broccoli florets in a savory soy and oyster sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a perfect balance of protein and vegetables, enhanced with garlic, ginger, and a flavorful, thickened sauce. Garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, it pairs wonderfully with rice or noodles for a satisfying, wholesome dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
Sauce Ingredients
- 3 tbsp soy sauce (or low-sodium alternative)
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp honey or sugar (optional)
Other
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (or neutral oil like vegetable oil)
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, water, cornstarch, and honey or sugar if using. Stir well until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Set the sauce mixture aside.
- Cook the ground beef: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the minced garlic and ginger to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant but not burned.
- Cook the broccoli: Add broccoli florets to the skillet. Stir frequently and cook for 3–5 minutes until the broccoli is tender-crisp. If necessary, add a splash of water to help steam the broccoli and speed cooking.
- Add the sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and broccoli mixture. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish the stir fry with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a lower sodium option, use low-sodium soy sauce and omit or reduce oyster sauce.
- Adjust the amount of honey or sugar based on your preferred level of sweetness or omit entirely for a savory dish.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure soy sauce is gluten-free and omit oyster sauce or use a gluten-free alternative.
- Vegetables can be swapped or added, such as bell peppers or carrots, for variety.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can increase cornstarch to 1.5 tablespoons.
