Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is easy to make and tasty too! The ground beef is stir fried with crushed garlic, sliced onions, and crunchy broccoli in a tasty sauce!
Jump to:
Best type of ground beef for stir fry
You can actually use any type of ground beef for stir fry! Stir fry makes it pretty easy to make it taste good. However, here's a little more info on the ground beef and my least favorite one to use for stir fries:
Ground chuck
The fat content of ground chuck is 80/20 (which means 80% lean meat and 20% fat). This type of ground beef is good for burgers, meatballs, meatloaf, tacos, and stir fries. This is the most recommended ground beef for stir fries as it offers optimal juiciness.
Ground round
Ground round has a fat content of 85/15 (which means 85% lean meat and 15% fat). You can use ground round beef for leaner burgers (than ground chuck), meatballs, meatloaf, chili, and stir fries.
Ground sirloin
We are getting leaner - ground sirloin has a fat content of 90/10 (90% lean meat, and 10% fat). I recommend using this type of ground beef for meatballs, meatloaf, meat sauces, and stir fries (but you may want to add extra sauce to make sure it's not too dry).
Extra lean ground beef
Lastly, we have extra lean ground beef. This really means anything that has fat content 93/7 or higher. I recommend using this only when there is something else more moist with it - such as meatballs, meatloaf, and meat sauces. I don't typically use this for stir fries just because it's more dry and not as tasty.
How to pan fry ground beef
Pan frying ground beef is a very easy way to cook it. All you need is a skillet, pan or wok and add oil to start. When the oil is hot, add the ground beef and start breaking it up in to smaller pieces with a spatula. If you're using a non stick pan, make sure to use spatulas that do not hurt the coating. Cook the ground beef until it is browned and cooked thoroughly which will take about 5-7 minutes, remember to occasionally stir as to cook evenly.
If you are just needing the ground beef by itself for another recipe, you will want to remove from heat and drain excess grease before setting aside. However, for this recipe, we will add more ingredients to the dish, so do not do that - follow the recipe below!
How to make Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry (Step by Step)
First, gather your ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz broccoli florets
- 4 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ cup sliced onions (optional)
Heat a large cooking pan or wok on medium high heat. Add cooking oil and garlic and stir fry for about 1 minute or until aromatic.
Then add ground beef and start breaking it up in to smaller pieces with a spatula. If you're using a non stick pan, make sure to use spatulas that do not hurt the coating. Cook the ground beef until mostly browned about 2 minutes or so, remember to occasionally stir as to cook evenly. Remove from heat, drain, and set aside.
Add a little more oil to the pan if the pan is dry, then add broccoli florets and onions (optional), and stir occasionally until the broccoli is tender but still crunchy. This takes about 3 - 5 minutes usually. If not, you may consider adding a little water and covering to help it cook faster (basically works on steaming).
Add the beef back to the wok/pan, and soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar, and stir everything to mix well for about 3-5 minutes or until everything is cooked - meaning the ground beef is cooked thoroughly, and broccoli and onions are tender to your liking.
Remove from heat and serve! I recommend with some rice 🙂
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Place cooled stir fry in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. For best results, freeze without broccoli and add fresh broccoli when reheating.
- Reheating:
- Stovetop: Add a splash of water or oil to a skillet and stir fry over medium heat until warmed through.
- Microwave: Heat in 30-45 second intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
- From frozen: Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for the best texture.
FAQ
What kind of ground beef is best for stir fry?
Ground chuck (80/20) is the most flavorful and juicy, but ground round (85/15) or ground sirloin (90/10) also work well. Avoid extra-lean beef (93/7) unless you're adding extra sauce or moisture, since it can turn out dry.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes! Just add it straight to the pan from frozen and stir fry uncovered so the extra water cooks off. Expect a softer texture than fresh broccoli.
Can I add more veggies?
Absolutely - bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, or mushrooms all pair well with beef and broccoli. Slice thin so they cook quickly.
What can I serve this with?
Steamed white rice is classic, but fried rice or noodles work too. You can also pair it with egg drop soup or cucumber salad for a full meal.
Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe
An easy and tasty stir fry made with ground beef, garlic, onions, and crunchy broccoli in a savory-sweet sauce. Quick to make and perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz broccoli florets
- 4 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ cup sliced onions (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add cooking oil and garlic. Stir fry for about 1 minute until aromatic.
- Add ground beef and break it into smaller pieces with a spatula. Cook until mostly browned, about 2–3 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed, then set beef aside.
- Add a little more oil if the pan is dry. Add broccoli and optional onions. Stir fry for 3–5 minutes, until broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp. If needed, add a splash of water and cover to help it cook faster.
- Return beef to the pan. Add soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar. Stir well and cook for another 3–5 minutes, until beef is fully cooked and broccoli is tender.
- Remove from heat and serve hot with steamed rice.
Notes
- Best beef choice: Ground chuck (80/20) is flavorful and juicy. Ground round (85/15) or sirloin (90/10) also work.
- Veggie add-ins: Try adding bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms, or snap peas.
- Sauce boost: For a stronger flavor, add 1 tablespoon oyster sauce or hoisin sauce.
- Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3–4 days. Freeze up to 2 months (best if frozen without broccoli).
- Reheat: Stovetop with a splash of water/oil is best; microwave in short intervals.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Eleulife Wok Pan with Lid, 13 Inch Carbon Steel Wok with Spatula, Nonstick Woks and Stir-fry Pans, No Chemical Coated Flat Bottom Chinese Wok for Induction, Electric, Gas Stove, All Stoves -
Hiware 10-Pairs Fiberglass Chopsticks - Reusable Chopsticks Dishwasher Safe, 9 ½ Inches - Black
-
10 Pcs Fine Bone China Blue and White Chinese Soup Bowls Ceramic Porcelain Bowl, with Free 10 Porcelain Spoons Rice Bowl
-
Lee Kum Kee, Pure Black Sesame Oil, 7.3 oz
-
Wan Ja Shan Organic Aged Soy Sauce, 33.8fl.oz
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 436Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 1008mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 34g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information. Keep in mind that if there is a marinade, often times not all the ingredients will be consumed.
More Delicious Broccoli Recipes
- Broccoli Beef Stir Fry -Tender marinated beef strips stir fried with broccoli and garlic in a flavorful soy-sesame-oyster sauce blend. Ready in 25 minutes!
- Chinese Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry - Marinated cubed chicken stir-fried with crunchy broccoli in a flavorful sauce. Ready in about 25 minutes!
- Broccoli Pork Stir Fry - Tender pork stir-fried with fresh broccoli in a savory sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Shrimp Broccoli Stir Fry - Juicy shrimp tossed with broccoli and a light garlic sauce. Prep and cook in 25 minutes.
Pin for later!
Got questions or comments? Drop them below!