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Quick 20-Minute Ground Beef and Broccoli Skillet

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A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring savory ground beef and tender broccoli in a glossy, flavorful sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, this one-skillet meal is perfect for busy evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 3 cups broccoli florets (fresh, cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or neutral oil with high smoke point)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Cooked white rice or brown rice (for serving, about 2 cups)
  • Sesame seeds for garnish (toasted)
  • Sliced green onions for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients (5 minutes): Wash and cut broccoli into bite-sized florets. Peel and mince garlic. Peel and grate ginger. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. In another small bowl, mix cornstarch with water until smooth. Set everything near the stove.
  2. Start the rice (if using): Begin cooking rice before starting the skillet. Quick-cook or instant rice works in about 10 minutes, or use leftover rice.
  3. Brown the ground beef (5 minutes): Heat skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Once oil shimmers, add ground beef. Break into small crumbles. Let cook undisturbed for 2 minutes for a golden-brown crust, then stir and cook until no longer pink, about 3 more minutes. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Cook the aromatics (1 minute): Push beef to one side of skillet. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to empty side. Add minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Stir everything together.
  5. Add the broccoli (4 minutes): Add broccoli florets to skillet. Stir to combine with beef and aromatics. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until broccoli turns bright green. Add 2 tablespoons water to pan and immediately cover with lid or foil. Let steam for 2 minutes until crisp-tender.
  6. Add the sauce (2 minutes): Pour soy sauce mixture over beef and broccoli. Stir to coat evenly. Let cook for 1 minute to reduce slightly and concentrate flavor.
  7. Thicken the sauce (1 minute): Stir cornstarch slurry and pour into skillet. Stir continuously for 30 seconds to 1 minute until sauce becomes glossy and thick, coating the back of a spoon.
  8. Finish and serve (1 minute): Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately over steamed rice, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Notes

For best results, prep all ingredients before cooking. Use 80/20 ground beef for flavor. For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. Broccoli can be adjusted for texture: skip steaming for crunchier, steam longer for softer. Leftovers keep in refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in skillet with a splash of water.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, broccoli, skillet, quick dinner, weeknight meal, stir-fry, 20-minute recipe, easy dinner, one-pan meal

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/quick-20-minute-ground-beef-and-broccoli-skillet/