Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli Recipe

If you crave cozy, comforting takeout flavors but want a quick homemade dinner, you’ll fall in love with this Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli. Sweet, garlicky, savory, and fast-loading, this dish takes the best parts of a stir fry and brings them together in just one skillet—no fuss, just pure weeknight joy!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli is that the ingredient list is short and sweet—every item brings its own flavor punch or irresistible texture. Here’s how each one helps create a perfectly balanced skillet dinner you’ll want to make again and again.

• Garlic cloves: Fresh, minced garlic infuses the whole dish with zippy, aromatic flavor—you can always add an extra clove if you’re a garlic lover!
• White onion: Sautéed onion turns mellow and slightly sweet, adding depth while forming the tasty base for your sauce.
• Lean ground beef: Quick-cooking, budget-friendly, and so deeply satisfying—lean beef soaks up all those saucy flavors without extra grease.
• Broccoli florets: Chopped small, the broccoli becomes perfectly “crisp tender”—vibrant and fresh, it’s the ultimate veggie partner for bold honey garlic sauce.
• Honey garlic sauce: This is your flavor booster! Sweet honey, bold garlic, and umami come together for a delicious glaze—use your favorite store brand or homemade.
• Cooked rice (for serving): Fluffy, warm rice is the perfect base, soaking up every golden drop of sauce and balancing out the hearty beef and broccoli.
• Olive oil: Just a splash, to help everything sauté to fragrant, golden perfection without sticking.

Variations

Part of what makes Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli so lovable is how easy it is to put your own spin on it. Whether you want to change up proteins, sneak in extra veggies, or make it fit your diet, this recipe gives you total creative license.

• Swap the protein: Try it with ground chicken, turkey, pork, or a plant-based mince for a delicious twist with the same saucy feel.
• Make it spicy: Add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha into the honey garlic sauce for a gentle (or bold!) kick.
• Boost the veggies: Toss in julienned carrots, snap peas, bell peppers, or even baby corn along with the broccoli for a rainbow effect.
• Low-carb option: Serve over cauliflower rice or shredded cabbage instead of traditional rice for a lighter bowl.

How to Make Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Start by heating olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion—within a minute or two, your kitchen will smell dreamy! Stir occasionally until the onions turn translucent and just a bit golden around the edges.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Add your lean ground beef straight into the pan. Use a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon to break it up into small, bite-sized crumbles as it cooks. Stir often, making sure all the pink disappears and those flavorful juices stay in the pan—about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Add Broccoli & Stir-Fry

Time for the broccoli magic! Toss in your chopped florets and stir well so they mingle with the beef and aromatics. Cook for just 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is bright green and slightly tender when poked—think “crisp tender,” not mushy.

Step 4: Pour On the Sauce

Generously pour the honey garlic sauce all over, making sure everything gets coated in that golden sticky goodness. Continue cooking for another 1–2 minutes, just until the sauce thickens a bit and the broccoli is perfectly fork-tender. Now you’re ready for the best part—assembly!

Step 5: Assemble & Serve

Scoop warm, fluffy rice into your bowls, then top it with a hearty spoonful of your honey garlic ground beef and broccoli mixture. Drizzle with any extra sauce from the skillet, and you’ve got a dinner that practically begs for seconds!

How to Serve Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli

Garnishes

A sprinkle of sesame seeds or thinly sliced green onions is all you need to take your Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli from tasty to truly irresistible. If you love a little heat, a few snips of red chili or sriracha on top can add a real personality punch. For extra shine and freshness, finish with a squeeze of fresh lime or a handful of chopped cilantro.

Side Dishes

This stir fry is plenty satisfying on its own, but it also plays well with others! Try some simple steamed edamame, a cucumber salad with rice vinegar, or crisp egg rolls. If you want to go hearty, serve with extra rice or fold into a “power bowl” with shredded carrots and avocado.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun weeknight dinner, serve Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli in lettuce cups for a hands-on meal that’s big on crunch and flavor. Or, layer everything over brown rice in meal prep containers for the ultimate grab-and-go lunch. Kids (and kids-at-heart) love their bowls topped with a jammy soft-boiled egg!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli keeps beautifully in the fridge! Pack leftovers in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days—making tomorrow’s lunch something to genuinely look forward to.

Freezing

Both the beef mixture and rice can be frozen—simply let everything cool, then store in separate airtight containers or freezer bags. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for a quick meal rescue anytime within 2 months.

Reheating

To keep everything as fresh as possible, reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra honey garlic sauce to loosen things up. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through so everything warms evenly.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to whip up this Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli—it’s a total crowd-pleaser that always disappears fast at my table. Try it once, and I promise this sweet-salty, skillet wonder will earn a repeat spot in your dinner rotation!

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