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Sweet-Savory Ground Beef And Broccoli Recipe

Sweet-Savory Ground Beef And Broccoli Recipe


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4.6 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 17-19 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Ground beef and broccoli brings comfort right to your dinner table with a quick, hearty meal that satisfies hunger in minutes. Lean protein meets crisp vegetables for a delicious one-pan wonder that comes together faster than ordering takeout.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 lb ground beef

Vegetables:

  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce and Seasonings:

  • 1 cup beef broth
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 12 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 tablespoon peanut oil
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • Salt and white pepper, to taste

For Serving:

  • 3 cups cooked rice

Instructions

  1. Shake 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water in a sealed container until completely blended. The mixture should look smooth and free of lumps.
  2. Whisk beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, ground ginger, and sesame oil in a medium bowl. Create a balanced sauce with depth of flavor.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a large skillet at medium heat. Add 3 cups broccoli florets and toss quickly. Cook 4-5 minutes until edges turn bright green and slightly crisp. Transfer broccoli to a separate plate.
  4. Increase skillet heat to medium-high. Add 1 lb ground beef and diced onion. Break meat into small crumbles while cooking until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
  5. Toss sliced red bell pepper into the beef mixture. Sauté for 1 minute to maintain pepper’s crisp texture.
  6. Pour entire sauce mixture into skillet. Bring contents to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  7. Slowly incorporate cornstarch mixture into simmering sauce. Stir constantly until sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 1-2 minutes.
  8. Lower heat and fold broccoli back into skillet. Gently stir to coat vegetables and meat with sauce.
  9. Serve hot over 3 cups cooked rice. The dish should have a rich, glistening appearance with meat and vegetables evenly coated.

Notes

  • Cornstarch helps thicken the sauce, so shake it well to avoid lumps before adding to the pan.
  • Choose lean ground beef to keep the dish lighter and reduce excess grease during cooking.
  • Cut broccoli into similar-sized florets to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
  • For a low-carb version, swap rice with cauliflower rice or serve over zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrates.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
  • Category: Sautéed
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 488 kcal
  • Sugar: 13 g
  • Sodium: 830 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 31 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg