Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli

Imagine sinking your fork into tender, caramelized ground beef glazed with sweet-savory Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli sauce, alongside perfectly crisp-tender broccoli florets. This Asian-inspired one-pan wonder transforms humble ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal in just 20 minutes. The rich umami flavors and delightful texture contrasts make Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli a weeknight dinner superhero that satisfies even the pickiest eaters. You’ll learn how to create the perfect balance of flavors while keeping this dish simple enough for busy evenings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli combines convenience and flavor in a way few recipes can match. The ground beef cooks in minutes, absorbing the homemade teriyaki sauce’s sweet-salty-umami profile while developing those irresistible caramelized edges. Unlike teriyaki dishes that require long marinating times, this ground beef version delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

The textural contrast between the tender, juice-retaining beef and the bright, crisp broccoli creates a satisfying mouthfeel with every bite. The sauce achieves that perfect consistency – thick enough to cling to each morsel yet still saucy enough to flavor your rice.

Best of all, this entire teriyaki beef dinner cooks in a single pan, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor development. It’s adaptable to whatever vegetables you have on hand, making it perfect for busy households looking for nutritious, crave-worthy meals in minutes.

Ingredients

For the Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli:

• 1 pound (454g) lean ground beef (85-90% lean)
• 4 cups (340g) broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts separated)

For the teriyaki sauce:

• 1/3 cup (80ml) low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons (45ml) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons (10ml) rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

The quality of soy sauce significantly impacts the final flavor of your Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli, so use a good quality, preferably Japanese brand, for authentic flavor.

Pro Tips

Perfect Beef Texture: When cooking your Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli, resist the urge to constantly stir the meat. Let it develop a deep brown crust on one side before breaking it apart. This creates those delicious caramelized bits that elevate the dish from good to outstanding. For the best texture, use ground beef with some fat content (85-90% lean) rather than extra-lean, which can become dry.

Broccoli Done Right: For perfectly crisp-tender broccoli that retains its vibrant green color, add it to the pan during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. If you prefer softer broccoli, add it earlier. Cutting the florets to consistent sizes ensures they cook evenly—aim for bite-sized pieces that will cook quickly while still holding their shape in the teriyaki sauce.

Sauce Consistency: The secret to restaurant-quality teriyaki beef is in the sauce consistency. Always mix your cornstarch with cold water before adding it to the hot sauce (this prevents lumps). Then, allow the sauce to bubble for at least 30-60 seconds after adding the cornstarch slurry. This activates the thickening properties and creates that perfect glossy finish that clings beautifully to both the beef and broccoli.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the teriyaki sauce by combining soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, sesame oil, and rice vinegar in a small bowl. Whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved. In a separate small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry and set aside.

Step 2: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add the white parts of the green onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned—this releases their aromatic oils into the oil, creating a flavor foundation for your Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli.

Step 3: Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it into large chunks. Let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to develop a brown crust on the bottom. Then break apart into smaller pieces and continue cooking until no pink remains, about 3-4 more minutes.

Step 4: Once the beef is cooked through, drain excess fat if necessary (leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan for flavor). Push the beef to one side of the pan and add the broccoli florets to the empty space. Cook for 2 minutes, then stir everything together.

Step 5: Pour the teriyaki sauce mixture over the beef and broccoli. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Let it simmer for 1 minute, then give your cornstarch slurry another quick stir (it settles quickly) and pour it into the pan while stirring constantly.

Step 6: Continue cooking your Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli for 1-2 more minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, coating the beef and broccoli beautifully. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Garnish with the reserved green parts of the green onions and serve hot over steamed rice.

Variations

Spicy Teriyaki Beef Bowl: Transform your Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli into a fiery delight by adding 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or sambal oelek to the teriyaki sauce. For even more heat, include thinly sliced fresh jalapeños or a teaspoon of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic and ginger. The spicy kick perfectly complements the sweet-savory balance of the teriyaki sauce.

Vegetable-Packed Version: Turn this into an even more nutritious one-pan meal by adding 1 cup of sliced mushrooms, 1 diced bell pepper, and 1 grated carrot along with the broccoli. The mushrooms add umami depth, while the bell peppers and carrots bring sweetness and additional texture to your beef and broccoli teriyaki. This variation works beautifully for meal prep as the vegetables hold up well for several days.

Teriyaki Turkey Option: For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for beef in your broccoli teriyaki dish. Since turkey is leaner, add an extra tablespoon of oil when browning to prevent dryness. The delicate flavor of turkey beautifully absorbs the teriyaki sauce, resulting in a lighter meal with all the same satisfaction. This variation is especially popular with those watching their red meat consumption.

Storage and Serving

Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making it perfect for meal prep. The flavors actually continue to develop overnight, resulting in an even more delicious next-day lunch. For longer storage, freeze portions for up to 3 months—though the broccoli may become softer when reheated.

When reheating, add a splash of water before microwaving to rejuvenate the sauce. For best results, reheat on the stovetop over medium heat.

Serve this versatile dish over steamed jasmine rice for a classic presentation, or try it over brown rice for added nutrition and nutty flavor. For a lower-carb option, cauliflower rice works beautifully with the savory teriyaki sauce. For a meal with additional texture contrast, serve in lettuce cups with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and extra green onions on top. The cool crunch of lettuce against the warm, savory beef creates an irresistible combination.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Yes! Frozen broccoli works well in Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli. Add it directly to the pan without thawing, but increase cooking time by 2-3 minutes. The texture may be slightly softer than with fresh broccoli.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or certified gluten-free soy sauce. Double-check that your mirin is gluten-free (some brands contain wheat) or substitute with 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar mixed with 1 tablespoon of sugar.

Can I make the teriyaki sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! The sauce (without the cornstarch slurry) can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Add the cornstarch slurry only when you’re ready to cook.

What can I substitute for mirin?
If you don’t have mirin, use 2 tablespoons of dry sherry plus 1 teaspoon of sugar, or 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar plus 1 tablespoon of sugar.

Is this recipe meal-prep friendly?
Yes! Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli is perfect for meal prep. The flavors develop nicely over time, and portions can be refrigerated for 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Conclusion

This Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli is comfort food at its finest — quick enough for hectic weeknights yet impressive enough for anyone craving authentic Asian flavors without the takeout price tag. It’s the kind of dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary meals, bringing family members running to the table with its irresistible sweet-savory aroma. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week ahead or need a reliable dinner that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, this teriyaki beef recipe deserves a permanent spot in your cooking rotation.

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