There are nights when cooking feels like a chore—when you open the fridge, see ground beef staring back at you, and think, “Meatloaf again? Nope.” That’s when this Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe swoops in to save the day.
This stir-fry recipe is sweet, savory, and slightly sticky in all the best ways, thanks to a luscious honey garlic sauce that clings to every bite. It’s the kind of Asian-inspired ground beef dish that turns simple ingredients into something crave-worthy in under 30 minutes.
Perfect for busy families, picky eaters, or anyone craving takeout vibes without the delivery bill, this quick weeknight dinner gives you comfort, flavor, and balance (yes, broccoli counts as balance!). Bonus: it’s all cooked in one skillet, so you won’t be left with a sink full of dishes when you’re already tired.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
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Ready in 25 minutes—faster than takeout delivery.
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Sweet and savory flavors that please both kids and adults.
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Budget-friendly ingredients you probably already have at home.
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A complete meal when served over rice or noodles.
Ingredients
For the Stir-Fry:
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1 lb lean ground beef (450 g)
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3 cups broccoli florets (about 300 g)
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1 small onion, diced (100 g)
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tbsp olive oil (15 ml)
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
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⅓ cup soy sauce, low sodium (80 ml)
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¼ cup honey (60 ml)
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1 tbsp rice vinegar (15 ml)
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1 tsp ginger, grated (5 g)
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1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
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½ tsp red pepper flakes, optional (1 g)
For Serving (Optional):
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2 cups cooked rice or noodles (400 g)
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1 tbsp sesame seeds (10 g)
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2 green onions, sliced
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the sauce
Whisk soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a bowl. Mix cornstarch with water in a separate small bowl to form a slurry.
2. Cook the beef
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add the broccoli
Stir in broccoli florets and ¼ cup water. Cover with a lid and steam for 3–4 minutes until tender-crisp.
4. Finish the stir-fry
Pour in the prepared sauce and let simmer for 2 minutes. Add the cornstarch slurry, stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli.
5. Serve and enjoy
Spoon over rice or noodles, then top with sesame seeds and green onions.
Cooking Tips for the Best Stir-Fry
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Don’t overcook the broccoli. Tender-crisp is the goal—bright green, slightly crunchy, and still fresh-tasting.
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Adjust the sweetness. If you prefer more savoury, reduce the honey slightly. If your sweet tooth is calling, add a touch more.
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Make it spicy. Red pepper flakes or even a drizzle of sriracha give this dish extra kick.
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Ground turkey or chicken also works beautifully if you want a leaner twist.
And remember: stir-fries are forgiving. If your sauce thickens too much, just splash in a little water to loosen it up.
A Personal Note
This dish was born out of one of those “what’s for dinner” panic moments. I had ground beef, some broccoli that was teetering on its last leg, and a craving for something with bold flavor. A little soy sauce here, some honey there, and suddenly, my thrown-together dinner turned into a family favorite.
Now it’s on regular rotation in my house. My kids call it “sticky beef broccoli,” which honestly might be a better name. Every time I serve it, they pile it high over rice, sprinkle way too many sesame seeds, and happily go back for seconds. Any recipe that gets my kids excited about broccoli? That’s a keeper in my book.
What to Serve with Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
This dish shines as a one-bowl meal, but a few extras can round it out:
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Rice or noodles—white rice, jasmine rice, brown rice, or even ramen noodles all soak up that honey garlic sauce perfectly.
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Egg rolls or dumplings for an appetizer if you want a full takeout-style experience.
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Simple cucumber salad with sesame oil for a refreshing, crunchy side.
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Extra steamed veggies like snap peas or carrots if you want more color on the plate.
If you’re in “comfort mode,” nothing beats scooping it over buttery mashed potatoes—it’s fusion at its coziest.
How to Store Leftovers
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Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water to refresh the sauce.
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Freezer: Cool completely before freezing. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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Meal prep win: Pack into individual containers with rice for grab-and-go lunches all week long.
FAQs About Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Cook the beef and broccoli, then store the sauce separately. Combine and reheat when ready to serve for the freshest texture.
What can I use instead of broccoli?
Snap peas, bell peppers, or zucchini work beautifully. Or mix and match for extra variety.
Can I double the sauce?
Absolutely! If you’re a “sauce over rice” kind of person, doubling the sauce makes it even better.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and you’re good to go.
The Final Scoop
When dinnertime stress creeps in, this Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli is your secret weapon. It’s quick, flavorful, and family-friendly—basically everything you want in a quick weeknight dinner.
The sweet-savory honey garlic sauce makes it taste like takeout (without the delivery fee), while the broccoli keeps things fresh and balanced. So the next time you’re staring down a pack of ground beef with no inspiration, remember this dish. It might just become the recipe your family requests on repeat.
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Print
Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli is a quick, flavor-packed stir-fry that comes together in under 30 minutes. Juicy ground beef, tender-crisp broccoli, and a sweet-savory honey garlic sauce make it the ultimate weeknight dinner. Perfect served over rice or noodles, this Asian-inspired recipe is budget-friendly, family-approved, and even better than takeout.
Ingredients
For the Stir-Fry:
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1 lb lean ground beef (450 g)
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3 cups broccoli florets (about 300 g)
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1 small onion, diced (100 g)
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tbsp olive oil (15 ml)
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
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⅓ cup soy sauce, low sodium (80 ml)
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¼ cup honey (60 ml)
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1 tbsp rice vinegar (15 ml)
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1 tsp ginger, grated (5 g)
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1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
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½ tsp red pepper flakes, optional (1 g)
For Serving (Optional):
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2 cups cooked rice or noodles (400 g)
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1 tbsp sesame seeds (10 g)
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2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
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Prepare sauce: Whisk soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a bowl. In a small dish, mix cornstarch with water to form a slurry.
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Cook beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in ground beef and cook until browned. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
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Add broccoli: Stir in broccoli and ¼ cup water. Cover and steam 3–4 minutes until tender-crisp.
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Finish stir-fry: Pour in prepared sauce and simmer 2 minutes. Add cornstarch slurry, stirring until sauce thickens and coats everything.
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Serve: Spoon over rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
Cook broccoli until tender-crisp for best flavor and texture.
Adjust honey for sweetness level; add chili flakes or sriracha for heat.
Swap in ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Other veggies like snap peas, bell peppers, or zucchini work great too.
Double the sauce if you like extra over rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish / Stir-Fry
- Method: Skillet / One-Pan
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired