This Ground Beef and Broccoli stir-fry is a spin on a classic Chinese takeout dish. Instead of sliced beef, it uses ground beef. It tastes just as good, maybe even better! I've been using this beef and broccoli sauce for a while now, and I think it tastes just as good as the restaurants.
Looking for my Chinese takeout dishes? Try my Honey Walnut Shrimp next!
About This Recipe
Beef and Broccoli has always been one of my favorite Chinese takeout dishes. But for the longest time, I could never get it right. Mainly, the beef was never as tender as the restaurants made it. I think the main problem was that I used the wrong cuts of beef, and I probably cooked it for way too long.
But recently, while browsing social media, I discovered a new method: using ground beef instead of regular beef. I gave it a try, and I was surprised at how good it tasted. You don't have to worry about slicing the beef, marinating it, or overcooking it. The ground beef cooks very quickly and soaks up so much flavor.
The best part of this recipe is that it's done in a single pan! Almost every recipe I saw used an extra pot for boiling the broccoli, but you don't have to do that. You can cook the broccoli in the same pan as the beef, and it will be much faster than waiting for water to boil.
Key Ingredients
Oil: For sauteing the broccoli.
Broccoli: You'll need 3-4 cups of broccoli florets. I used fresh, but frozen works too. Also, if you're using a whole crown of broccoli, you can include the stems as well.
Ground beef: I used extra-lean ground beef. If you use lean or regular, you can drain some of the fat.
Garlic & ginger: Essential for that rich, aromatic flavor.
Sauce: Made with soy sauce, brown sugar, chicken stock, cornstarch, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil.
Instructions
STEP 1: Firstly, combine all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. This way, everything is ready to go when you need it.
STEP 2: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and saute for 1 minute. Add 3 tablespoons of water, cover with a lid, and let it steam for 2-3 minutes until crisp and tender. Remove to a plate and set aside.
STEP 3: Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink, 5-6 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
STEP 4: Add the sauce mixture, and cook until thickened, 1 minute.
STEP 5: Add back the broccoli and toss until evenly coated. Enjoy!
Ground Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 3-4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3-4 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
For the sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and saute for 1 minute. Add 3 tablespoons of water, cover with a lid, and cook for 2-3 minutes until crisp and tender. Remove the broccoli to a plate.
- Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking up the beef with a spatula as you go, 5-6 minutes.
- Add the garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes. Add the sauce mixture, and cook until it thickens, about 1 minute. Add back the broccoli and toss until evenly coated. Enjoy!
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