Easy Ground Beef and Broccoli (30 Minute Meal)

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This Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe is an easy, healthy, flavorful dish that is made in less than 30 minutes! Ground beef and broccoli are cooked in one skillet and then coated in a savory sauce made with flavors such as coconut aminos, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.

This Ground Beef and Broccoli is perfect for busy weeknights or to add to a healthy meal plan. Traditional beef and broccoli use thinly sliced steak, but I decided to use ground beef in this recipe because it is easier to work with. There is no slicing necessary or overcooking the steak! It is an easy meal that the whole family will love! It is an easy weeknight dinner that is full of healthy ingredients and has an easy clean-up.

Is this Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe gluten-free, dairy-free, or low-carb?

Yes to all three! This recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. And if you would like a low-carb option, serve it cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. 

Tools to make this recipe

Large Skillet – Did you know that conventional cookware (particularly non-stick) contains chemicals that can leach into our foods? A better option is to use ceramic cookware or stainless steel. I like the brand Green Pan, it is fairly inexpensive and does not contain chemicals such as PFAs and PFOAs. 

Garlic press– I love this tool! You can mince your garlic into small pieces in a matter of seconds. It is a tool I always reach for in my kitchen. 

Wooden spoon or spatula – I prefer to use wooden utensils because they are nontoxic. This is the set I have and love! 

Meal prep tips

This Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe is an easy weeknight dinner to quickly whip up, but I have a few tricks to make it even quicker! If you would like to cook this dish fresh but get as much prepared ahead of time, here are some tips to make the time to cook actual dinner super easy! I like this method of meal prepping because, after a long day of working or out and about, I don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, but I still want something cooked fresh. The goal is to do all your chopping and measuring, so all you need to do is dump and cook! Here are my best tips to plan ahead:

1. Either buy broccoli florets that are already cut into small pieces or chop your broccoli ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
2. Prepare the sauce ahead of time. Mix all of the ingredients together and store in a small mason jar so when you are cooking dinner the only thing you need to do is cook the broccoli, and then the beef. Then just pour over the sauce! 

Ingredients for Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe

• Ground beef – I like to use ground beef with at least 15% fat for flavor and then drain off the excess fat. But if you prefer to use lean ground beef, that works too! 
• Broccoli – Fresh broccoli chopped. About 4 cups, or 1 pound. 
• Avocado oil – I like to use avocado oil for most of my cooking, but you can sub for olive oil if that is all you have on hand. 
• Garlic-Fresh garlic, minced. However, if you do not have or want to use fresh garlic, you can substitute for a teaspoon of garlic powder. 
• Coconut aminos – Be sure to use Coconut aminos, and not “liquid aminos”. It can be easy to confuse the two at grocery stores, but coconut aminos is made from the sap of the coconut plant. Liquid aminos is similar, but it has a much saltier taste, so it will alter the flavor of the sauce. The best place to find coconut aminos for a good price is at Trader Joe’s! 
• Water – Used to thin out the sauce a little bit. 
• Ground ginger – I use ground ginger because that is what is on hand, but if you have fresh ginger, you can use that as well! 
• Coconut sugar – I like to use coconut sugar to use a natural sugar, but you can also use brown sugar. 
• Red pepper flakes – This adds a little bit of heat. You can reduce the amount used or omit altogether if you are sensitive to spice. 
• Sesame oil – The toasted sesame oil has a great flavor that is nutty and pairs really well with the rest of the flavors in the sauce. 
• Salt – Any type of salt will work, but I like to use a mineral-rich salt like Redmond Real Salt.
• Cornstarch – You can substitute for arrowroot powder if you prefer. 
• Optional: Rice or cauliflower rice and sesame seeds for garnish 

The best way to cook rice

You can serve the Ground Beef and Broccoli on its own, or I recommend serving it with either rice or cauliflower rice. Personally, I like to use brown rice or jasmine rice, both are great options! Trader Joe’s has frozen organic Jasmine rice that you just pop in the microwave to cook. Or, there are some great shelf-stable rice packets that you also just need to microwave, like Seeds of Change or Lundberg brands. 

If you are cooking fresh rice, I recommend swapping out the water for chicken broth for more flavor and nutrients. Also, add a pinch of mineral salt and about a tablespoon of butter. This will create delicious and more nutrient-dense rice. 

How to make Ground Beef and Broccoli

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the avocado oil and once the oil is shimmering, add the broccoli. Cook the broccoli until it starts to become tender, but still al dente. Remove the broccoli from the pan and set aside.

Next, cook the ground beef in the same pan. Add a little more oil if needed, and cook until it is evenly browned and cooked through. Drain out the excess fat. 

While the beef is cooking, mix all the sauce ingredients together. Add the garlic, coconut aminos, water, ground ginger, coconut sugar, red pepper flakes, sesame oil, and salt to a small bowl and whisk together. 

Add the broccoli back to the pan, and then add in the sauce mixture. Cook for a couple of minutes and bring the sauce to a simmer and then make a slurry to thicken by combining one tablespoon of cornstarch with one tablespoon of water. Whisk with a fork to remove all the clumps, and then pour over the beef and broccoli. Stir to fully combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. The sauce will thicken as it heats. 

Once it has thickened, remove it from the heat and serve immediately. Optional to serve with rice or cauliflower rice and garnish with sesame seeds. 

How to store

Leftover Ground Beef and Broccoli can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days. It is great for lunch the next day or to make for meal prep for the week. Keep in mind that it should not be frozen because cornstarch does not freeze well, and the sauce will not stay the right consistency.