Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli

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Sticky, savory, and packed with umami flavor, this Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli dish is a weeknight winner. With just one skillet and 30 minutes, you get a sweet-and-savory meal that pairs perfectly over rice, noodles, or even in lettuce wraps. Think of it as your favorite takeout—but faster and cheaper.

What makes this dish irresistible is the combination of deeply browned beef with tender-crisp broccoli, all coated in a glossy honey garlic sauce. It’s high in protein, full of fiber, and can easily be customized with other veggies or spice levels to match your mood.

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What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?

For best results, go with lean ground beef—85% or even 90% lean. It cooks up nicely without too much grease and lets the honey garlic sauce shine. If you opt for fattier ground beef, be sure to drain excess fat after browning to avoid a greasy sauce.

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Ingredients for the Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
• Cooked rice, for serving
• Sesame seeds and sliced green onions, for garnish

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How To Make the Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic

Push the beef to one side of the pan and add sesame oil and minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then mix it back into the beef.

Step 3: Steam the Broccoli

Add broccoli florets and a splash of water to the skillet. Cover and let steam for 3–4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes. Pour the sauce into the skillet and stir everything to coat evenly.

Step 5: Thicken and Serve

Mix cornstarch and water to form a slurry, then stir it into the pan. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Serve hot over rice, sprinkled with sesame seeds and green onions.

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How to Serve and Store This Flavor-Packed Skillet

This honey garlic beef and broccoli is fantastic served over jasmine rice or lo mein noodles. It also makes a great filling for lettuce cups or wraps for a lighter meal. Want a meal-prep winner? Divide it into containers with brown rice for easy grab-and-go lunches.

To store, let leftovers cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen broccoli?

Yes, just steam it separately and drain well before adding it to the skillet.

What other veggies work with this dish?

Try bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, or even shredded cabbage for variety.

Is it gluten-free?

Swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos to make it gluten-free.

Can I double the sauce?

Absolutely! If you like things saucier, double the sauce ingredients and adjust the slurry as needed.

What’s the best way to make it spicy?

Add more red pepper flakes or a squirt of sriracha to the sauce.

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Want More Ground Beef Ideas?

If you’re loving this skillet meal, you might also want to try these other bold and hearty dishes:

• One Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta for a cheesy, rich comfort bowl.
• Taco Spaghetti Casserole that blends Tex-Mex and pasta night together.
• Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole for old-school creamy flavor.
• Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Ricotta when you’re craving layers of cheesy goodness.
• Buffalo Chicken Calzone for a spicy twist on pizza night.

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Save This Pin + Share Your Results

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can always find it when cravings strike.

And tell me how it went in the comments! Did you switch up the veggies or make it extra saucy? I love seeing your twists and tips.

Check out my Pinterest page for even more easy, delicious ideas you can make any day of the week.

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