Looking for an incredibly flavorful, lightning-fast, and deeply satisfying weeknight meal? Look no further than this Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe! This 15-minute Asian stir-fry is a culinary lifesaver, delivering a delicious, home-cooked experience with minimal effort. Perfect for busy evenings, this dish combines tender ground beef, crisp-tender broccoli, and a luscious, sticky honey-garlic sauce that will have your taste buds singing. It’s a complete meal that’s simple to prepare and packed with incredible Asian-inspired flavors, making it an instant family favorite.
Key Ingredients for Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
To create this delectable stir-fry, you’ll need a handful of accessible and flavorful ingredients:
- For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10 works well)
- 4 cups broccoli florets (about 1 large head, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or sesame oil (for cooking)
- 1/2 an onion, finely chopped (optional, for extra flavor)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (adds a pungent, aromatic kick)
- For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 3 tbsp honey (adjust to your sweetness preference)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (adds a subtle tang)
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger)
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil (for depth of flavor in the sauce)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening the sauce)
- 2 tbsp water (to dissolve cornstarch)
- Optional Garnishes:
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
- Red pepper flakes (for a touch of heat)
How to Make Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
This Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli stir-fry is ridiculously easy to prepare, incredibly delicious, and immensely satisfying. In just 15 minutes, you’ll have a vibrant dish featuring perfectly cooked ground beef and tender-crisp broccoli bathed in a glossy, sweet and savory honey-garlic sauce. Its simplicity, speed, and irresistible flavors make it a consistent go-to for healthy and hearty weeknight meals.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, 1/2 tsp sesame oil, and black pepper. In another very small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Set both aside.
- Cook the Broccoli: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil or sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, or until bright green and slightly tender-crisp. You want it cooked but still with a bit of bite. Remove the broccoli from the skillet and set aside.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the same skillet (no need to clean it). Break it apart with a spoon and cook over medium-high heat until fully browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. If using onion, add it after the beef has been cooking for a few minutes and sauté until softened.
- Add Garlic: Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Add the minced garlic to the cooked beef and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Combine and Sauce: Return the cooked broccoli to the skillet with the beef and garlic. Give the whisked honey-garlic sauce a quick stir, then pour it over the beef and broccoli. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Thicken the Sauce: Re-whisk the cornstarch slurry, then pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, coating the beef and broccoli beautifully.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or red pepper flakes if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
You are going to absolutely adore this Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe because it truly excels in every department! The main highlight is undoubtedly that irresistible sticky-sweet and savory honey-garlic sauce that coats every single piece of beef and broccoli, transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet-tasting experience. Not only is it incredibly delicious, but making this dish at home offers significant cost-saving benefits compared to takeout, allowing you to enjoy fresh, high-quality ingredients without breaking the bank.
The vibrant green broccoli against the rich, saucy beef, topped with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or fresh green onions, offers both visual appeal and textural contrast, enhancing every bite. If you enjoyed the straightforward deliciousness of our 20-Minute Shrimp Stir-Fry, you’ll find even more to love with this equally speedy and flavorful ground beef variation. Give it a try tonight – your taste buds (and your wallet!) will thank you!
What to Serve Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli With:
This Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli stir-fry is fantastic on its own, but it truly shines when paired with a few complementary sides to make a complete meal:
- Steamed Rice: Fluffy white rice (jasmine or basmati) is the classic choice, soaking up all that delicious honey-garlic sauce. Brown rice is a great healthier alternative.
- Cauliflower Rice: For a low-carb alternative, serve it over steamed or sautéed cauliflower rice.
- Noodles: Toss it with some cooked ramen noodles, lo mein noodles, or even rice vermicelli for a more substantial noodle dish.
- Quinoa: A nutritious, protein-rich grain that pairs well with the savory flavors.
- Simple Green Salad: A light, crisp salad with a ginger-sesame dressing can offer a refreshing contrast.
- Spring Rolls or Egg Rolls: For a more indulgent meal, serve alongside some store-bought or homemade spring rolls.
- Hot & Sour Soup: Start your meal with a comforting bowl of soup.
- Drinks: A crisp lager, a glass of dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc), or even a refreshing iced green tea would complement the flavors beautifully.
Top Tips for Perfecting Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
To ensure your Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli turns out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When cooking the ground beef or broccoli, avoid overcrowding your skillet. If you’re using a smaller pan, cook the broccoli in two batches to ensure it stir-fries and doesn’t steam. This helps achieve that slight char and tender-crisp texture.
- Drain Excess Fat: Ground beef can release a lot of fat. For a less greasy stir-fry, always drain off any excess rendered fat after browning the beef before adding the garlic and sauce.
- Prep Everything First (Mise en Place): Stir-fries cook very quickly. Have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and your sauce whisked and ready to go before you even turn on the heat. This prevents frantic scrambling and ensures everything cooks evenly.
- Adjust Sweetness/Saltiness: Taste the sauce before adding it to the skillet. If you prefer it sweeter, add a touch more honey. For less sodium, use low-sodium soy sauce and adjust to taste.
- Crisp-Tender Broccoli: Don’t overcook the broccoli. It should be bright green and have a slight crunch (al dente). It will continue to cook a little in the sauce.
- Cornstarch Slurry Consistency: Ensure your cornstarch and water are thoroughly mixed before adding to the sauce. If it’s lumpy, your sauce will be lumpy. Add it slowly while stirring to control the thickness. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it with a tablespoon or two of water or broth.
- Spice It Up: For a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or stir-fry with the garlic.
Storing and Reheating Tips
This Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli is excellent for meal prep, making your weeknights even easier.
- Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure it’s cooled completely before sealing and storing to prevent condensation, which can lead to sogginess.
- Freezing: While it’s best fresh, this dish can be frozen. Once cooled, transfer the stir-fry to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. The broccoli might become a bit softer in texture after thawing, but the flavor will still be great.
- Reheating (Refrigerator): For best results, reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You may want to add a tablespoon of water or broth to help loosen the sauce if it’s too thick. You can also microwave, covering loosely, at 60-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
- Reheating (Frozen): Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best outcome. Then reheat in a skillet or microwave as described above. If reheating from frozen, it will take longer and the texture of the broccoli might be quite soft.
Final Thoughts: Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
This Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a testament to how incredible flavor can be achieved with minimal time and effort. It’s a lifesaver on busy weeknights, a delicious alternative to takeout, and a satisfying dish that appeals to almost everyone. The balance of sweet, savory, and umami in that sticky honey-garlic sauce, combined with the hearty ground beef and vibrant, tender-crisp broccoli, creates a truly unforgettable experience. This stir-fry is proof that healthy, homemade cooking can be both fast and fantastically flavorful. We hope you love it as much as we do!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli FAQs:
Q: Can I use different vegetables?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to swap broccoli for other quick-cooking vegetables like snap peas, bell peppers, carrots (thinly sliced), green beans, or even mushrooms.
Q: Is this recipe spicy?
A: No, the basic recipe is not spicy. However, you can easily add heat by including red pepper flakes in the sauce or during the stir-fry step, or by adding a dash of sriracha to taste.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! Simply substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce. Ensure all other ingredients (like cornstarch) are certified gluten-free.
Q: How can I make this dish even healthier?
A: Use extra-lean ground beef, increase the amount of broccoli, serve over cauliflower rice or quinoa, and consider reducing the amount of honey slightly.
Q: Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
A: Yes, you can whisk together the honey-garlic sauce up to 2-3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just remember to give it a good stir before using, especially the cornstarch slurry.
Q: What if my sauce doesn’t thicken?
A: Ensure your cornstarch slurry is well mixed and add it gradually while the sauce is simmering. If it still doesn’t thicken, you can make a small additional slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water) and add it to the hot sauce, stirring constantly, until desired consistency is reached.
Q: Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef?
A: Yes, ground turkey or chicken would work perfectly in this recipe. Adjust cooking times as needed to ensure the meat is fully cooked.