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Quick Ground Beef and Broccoli Skillet: Easy 20-Minute Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pan dinner featuring savory ground beef and tender-crisp broccoli in a glossy, flavorful sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight hero.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10)
  • 3 cups (about 300g) fresh broccoli florets
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable or avocado oil
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons honey (or brown sugar)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional but recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice) for serving
  • Sliced green onions, sesame seeds, sriracha (optional garnishes)

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Ingredients (5 minutes): Wash and cut broccoli into small, bite-sized florets. Mince garlic and grate ginger. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). In a separate tiny bowl, mix cornstarch and cold water to make slurry. Set everything near the stove.
  2. Brown the Beef (5 minutes): Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break into small crumbles. Let cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes to get a brown sear, then stir and cook until fully browned (4-5 minutes). Spoon off excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  3. Cook the Aromatics (1 minute): Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Cook the Broccoli (3-4 minutes): Push beef to one side of skillet and add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to empty space. Add broccoli florets and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
  5. Combine and Sauce (2 minutes): Stir beef and broccoli together. Give sauce mixture a quick whisk and pour over beef and broccoli. Stir to coat evenly and let simmer for about 1 minute.
  6. Thicken the Sauce (1 minute): Stir cornstarch slurry and pour into skillet. Stir continuously until sauce thickens and becomes glossy (30-60 seconds).
  7. Serve Immediately: Remove from heat. Serve over hot cooked rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

For best results, get a good sear on the beef and don’t overcook the broccoli. Prep all ingredients before starting (mise en place). Make the cornstarch slurry fresh right before using. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or soy sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, broccoli, quick dinner, weeknight dinner, one-pan, skillet, 20-minute meal, easy dinner

Find it online: https://grubella.com/quick-ground-beef-and-broccoli-skillet-easy-20-minute-dinner/