Why Make This Recipe
Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli is a fantastic dish that combines succulent ground beef with vibrant broccoli in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. It’s not only quick to prepare but also packed with flavor. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need something delicious and healthy on the table in no time.
How to Make Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients:
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- ⅓ cup soy sauce (low sodium)
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For Serving (Optional):
- 2 cups cooked rice or noodles
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
Directions:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Mix cornstarch with water to form a slurry and set it aside.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion for about 2 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add the broccoli florets and pour in ¼ cup of water. Cover the pan and steam for 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is tender but still crisp.
- Pour the honey garlic sauce into the pan and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add the cornstarch slurry to the pan and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and serve the dish over rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
Serve this delicious stir-fry hot over a bed of fluffy rice or stir-fried noodles. The honey garlic sauce perfectly complements the ground beef and broccoli, making it a delightful meal. Don’t forget to sprinkle some sesame seeds and sliced green onions for added texture and flavor.
How to Store Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
To store leftovers, let them cool completely and then transfer them to an airtight container. This dish can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until heated through.
Tips to Make Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
- For extra flavor, marinate the ground beef in the honey garlic sauce for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes according to your taste.
- If you like your broccoli more tender, steam it for an additional minute or so.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for extra nutrition and color.
Variation
You can easily switch up this recipe by using ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. Additionally, try using different sauces like teriyaki or hoisin for a different flavor profile.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli! Just add it directly to the pan without thawing. The cooking time may be slightly longer.
2. Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and ensure you use cornstarch without additives.
3. Can I make this dish in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the stir-fry a day ahead. Just store it in the fridge and reheat it before serving. However, it’s best to cook the broccoli fresh for optimal texture.

Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: None
Description
A quick and delicious stir-fry combining ground beef and vibrant broccoli in a sweet honey garlic sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups cooked rice or noodles (for serving)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Mix cornstarch with water to form a slurry and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion for about 2 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add the broccoli florets and pour in ¼ cup of water. Cover the pan and steam for 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is tender yet crisp.
- Pour in the honey garlic sauce and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add the cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and serve over rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the ground beef in the honey garlic sauce for 30 minutes before cooking. You can adjust the spice level with red pepper flakes and add other vegetables for variety.