Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli

Sizzling, savory, and irresistibly sweet, Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal in minutes. The aromatic blend of honey and garlic creates a glossy sauce that clings perfectly to tender ground beef and crisp broccoli florets. This budget-friendly alternative to takeout delivers all the flavor without the wait or expense of delivery. You’ll learn how to create a perfectly balanced sauce and achieve that ideal texture contrast between the meat and vegetables in this easy weeknight dinner solution.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli has quickly become a reader favorite, and for good reason. The combination of sweet honey, pungent garlic, and umami-rich soy sauce creates a complex flavor profile that tastes like it took hours to develop, though it comes together in just 25 minutes. The ground beef offers a budget-friendly alternative to traditional beef strips while absorbing flavors more efficiently. You’ll appreciate how the tender meat contrasts beautifully with the slight crunch of perfectly cooked broccoli florets.

What truly sets this dish apart is its versatility. It works wonderfully served over fluffy rice, but is equally delicious with noodles or cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option. The sticky-sweet sauce brings everything together, creating a meal that satisfies both sophisticated palates and picky eaters alike. Plus, it reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or next-day lunches.

Ingredients

For this Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli, you’ll need:

• 1 lb (454g) lean ground beef
• 4 cups (280g) broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• ⅓ cup (80ml) honey
• ¼ cup (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ½ cup (120ml) beef broth
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced for garnish
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

The honey provides natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully, while fresh ginger and garlic create the aromatic foundation. Using low-sodium soy sauce allows you to control the saltiness of the final dish. The cornstarch is crucial for achieving that thick, glossy sauce that coats every bite.

Pro Tips

Perfect the Sauce Consistency: The secret to restaurant-quality Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli lies in the sauce. Mix the cornstarch with cold beef broth before adding to the hot pan to prevent lumps. Allow the sauce to bubble for at least 2 minutes after adding – this activates the cornstarch’s thickening properties and cooks out any starchy taste. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon but still flow smoothly.

Brown, Don’t Steam: For maximum flavor development, cook the ground beef in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the pan causes the meat to steam rather than brown, robbing your dish of rich, caramelized flavors. Let the beef develop a golden crust before breaking it apart with your spatula.

Blanch the Broccoli: For perfectly crisp-tender broccoli, blanch it briefly in boiling water for 60-90 seconds before adding to the stir-fry. This pre-cooking ensures the broccoli cooks evenly without requiring excessive time in the pan, which would make your beef overcooked. After blanching, shock in ice water to preserve the vibrant green color and stop the cooking process.

Instructions

Step 1

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to a plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

Step 2

In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Garlic burns quickly, so keep it moving in the pan to prevent bitterness.

Step 3

While the beef is cooking, whisk together the sauce ingredients in a bowl: honey, soy sauce, beef broth, and cornstarch. Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved to prevent lumps in your final sauce.

Step 4

Add the broccoli florets to the pan with the garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the broccoli begins to soften but still maintains some crunch. You’re looking for that perfect crisp-tender texture that gives this Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli its signature appeal.

Step 5

Return the cooked beef to the pan. Pour the sauce mixture over everything and add red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli. The transformation happens quickly as the sauce becomes glossy and clings to every piece.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve your Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli immediately over rice, noodles, or your preferred base for a complete meal that brings restaurant flavors right to your dinner table.

Variations

Spicy Honey Garlic Beef: Transform your Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli into a heat-lover’s dream by adding 1-2 tablespoons of sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the honey mixture. The spicy-sweet combination creates an addictive flavor profile that’s perfect for those who enjoy a little kick. Garnish with thinly sliced fresh jalapeños for extra heat and visual appeal.

Vegetable Medley Version: While broccoli is the classic pairing, this recipe works beautifully with a colorful mix of vegetables. Try adding sliced bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, or water chestnuts for varied textures and nutrients. Simply adjust cooking times according to each vegetable’s density – add firmer vegetables like carrots earlier and tender ones like snap peas later in the cooking process.

Turkey or Chicken Substitute: For a leaner protein option, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef. When using poultry, add an extra tablespoon of oil to the pan since these leaner meats release less fat during cooking. You might also want to increase the beef broth slightly to maintain moisture in the final dish.

Storage and Serving

This Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli stores beautifully in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually continue to develop overnight, making leftovers something to look forward to. For freezing, cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers, where it will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

For serving, the classic presentation is over steamed white rice, which soaks up the delicious sauce perfectly. For a more substantial meal, serve it over egg noodles or ramen. Looking for lower-carb options? Cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini provide excellent foundations without the extra carbohydrates.

Enhance your meal by serving with a side of simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar for a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory main dish. A sprinkle of extra sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions adds a professional finishing touch to your homemade Asian-inspired feast.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen broccoli works well in this Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe. There’s no need to thaw it first – simply add it directly to the pan and extend the cooking time by about 2 minutes. You may notice slightly more liquid in the pan, so you might want to reduce the beef broth by 2 tablespoons.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make this gluten-free, simply substitute the regular soy sauce with tamari or certified gluten-free soy sauce. All other ingredients in the original recipe are naturally gluten-free.

Can I prepare any components ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can brown the ground beef and mix the sauce ingredients up to 24 hours in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator. The broccoli can be cut into florets and stored in a sealed container with a damp paper towel for up to 2 days before cooking.

What if my sauce is too thin?
If your sauce isn’t thickening properly, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. Add this to the simmering sauce and stir until it reaches your desired consistency.

Can I substitute the honey for another sweetener?
Yes, maple syrup or brown sugar work well as alternatives to honey. Brown sugar may create a slightly different flavor profile with more caramel notes, while maple syrup adds a subtle complexity.

Conclusion

This Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli is comfort food at its finest — a perfect harmony of sweet, savory, and umami flavors wrapped in a glossy sauce that makes everyday ingredients shine. It’s the kind of dish that rescues weeknight dinners when you’re short on time but still crave something satisfying and homemade. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or meal prepping for the week ahead, this versatile recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort, proving that delicious, wholesome meals don’t require complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

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