Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Name: Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 6 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce; 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger; 2 teaspoons unseasoned rice vinegar; 3 tablespoons neutral oil, divided; 12 ounces fresh broccoli florets (about 5 1/4 cups); 1 pound lean ground beef (90/10); 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds, optional; 2 green onions, thinly sliced, optional; Steamed white rice, for serving

Recipe GLPR9c7f1f6e7da383

Asian

Main Course

30 min

620 cal

Servings: 4

Stovetop

SNAP eligible

A quick and savory stir-fry featuring lean ground beef and tender broccoli florets in a rich, ginger-garlic sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes and perfectly balanced with salty, sweet, and tangy flavors. Serve over steamed white rice for a complete meal.

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Ingredients

1 cup water

6 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce

3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

2 teaspoons unseasoned rice vinegar

3 tablespoons neutral oil, divided

12 ounces fresh broccoli florets (about 5 1/4 cups)

1 pound lean ground beef (90/10)

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds, optional

2 green onions, thinly sliced, optional

Steamed white rice, for serving

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk together water, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, minced garlic, minced ginger, and rice vinegar until the cornstarch dissolves. Set the sauce aside.
Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes until the broccoli is crisp-tender and lightly browned. Transfer the broccoli to a plate and set aside.
Add the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil to the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon as it cooks, stirring frequently for 5 to 7 minutes until the beef is completely browned and cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F). Sprinkle with kosher salt and stir.
Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the cooked beef. Stir constantly and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Add the cooked broccoli back into the skillet and toss everything together until well coated in the sauce. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes to heat through.
Transfer the stir-fry to a serving dish or bowl. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired. Serve over steamed white rice.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff4

Every ingredient is stocked at any of the six Charlotte chains—soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, and ginger are standard supermarket items, not specialty stops. The cost per serving runs roughly $3 to $3.50 depending on ground beef sales and whether you buy the broccoli fresh or frozen, which is genuinely affordable. The stated 30 minutes is honest only if your rice is already cooked; if you're starting from scratch, add 20 minutes, and the stir-fry itself demands constant attention to avoid rubbery broccoli and overcooked meat. Leftovers reheat reasonably well in a skillet, though the broccoli softens further. This is solid weeknight food with no special trips and no hidden costs, but it's not exceptional—there's nothing here specific to North Carolina's seasons or culinary identity.