A refined weeknight staple, Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli marries sweet, savory, and umami in a single skillet. The dish elevates familiar flavors with a glossy honey-soy glaze and bright, crisp broccoli for contrast. For a more traditional take, consult our classic beef and broccoli recipe for technique inspiration.
Why Make This Recipe
- Effortless Yet Elegant — Quick skillet cooking yields restaurant-style sheen and texture with minimal fuss.
- Minimal Ingredients — Pantry-friendly staples transform into a layered sauce without complex prep.
- Impressive Flavor — Honey tempers garlic and soy, while a cornstarch glaze gives a silk-like finish.
This version is elevated by a simple deglaze and a cornstarch slurry that creates a clingy, glossy sauce. Bright scallions and toasted sesame finish add aroma and visual polish.
Ingredients
Base
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef — preferably 80/20 for flavor and juiciness. Bring to room temperature for even browning.
- 4 cups broccoli florets — bite-sized, rinsed and well-drained.
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (vegetable or grapeseed) — hot but not smoking.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper — to taste.
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce — for a clean umami backbone.
- 2 tablespoons honey — use mild floral honey for balance.
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar — brightens the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil — toasted, added at the end for aroma.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced — fresh and pungent.
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional) — warm, peppery lift.
- 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth or water — to loosen the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water — mixed into a slurry for thickening.
Topping
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal — white and green parts separated.
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds — lightly crushed.
- Red pepper flakes (optional) — for a whisper of heat.
How to Make Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli:
- Prepare ingredients: whisk the sauce (soy, honey, rice vinegar, beef broth) and set the cornstarch slurry aside. Pat broccoli dry; mince garlic.
- Mini-tip: Dry broccoli sears better — excess water steams instead of browning.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add oil until it shimmers. Add broccoli in an even layer and sear 2–3 minutes until bright green with charred edges; remove and set aside.
- Sensory cue: look for vivid green color and a faint caramelized aroma.
- Return the skillet to medium-high. Add ground beef, season lightly with salt and pepper, and break it up with a spatula. Brown until deep mahogany and some fond forms on the pan, about 6–8 minutes.
- Mini-tip: Do not overcrowd the pan; good contact creates richer flavor.
- Push beef to one side. Add a touch more oil if needed, then add garlic (and ginger). Stir 20–30 seconds until fragrant — do not let garlic burn.
- Pour in the sauce mixture and scrape the fond to deglaze the pan, capturing concentrated flavor. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir the cornstarch slurry, then drizzle into the pan while stirring. Cook 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy, clingy consistency. Taste and adjust: a squeeze of vinegar or a pinch of salt can sharpen the balance.
- Sensory cue: sauce should coat the back of a spoon and shimmer.
- Return the broccoli and the white parts of the scallions to the skillet. Toss for 1 minute to warm through and coat with sauce. Finish with sesame oil, green scallion tops, and sesame seeds.
- Mini-tip: Add red pepper flakes sparingly for contrast.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli:
- Serve over steamed jasmine rice for a classic presentation, spooning glossy beef and broccoli in a neat mound with sauce pooled around it.
- For an elevated plate, nestle the mixture atop a cylinder of sticky rice using a ring mold and scatter microgreens for freshness.
- For a lighter option, present the beef and broccoli in butter lettuce cups with thinly sliced cucumbers and a lemon wedge; for alternative beef presentations and techniques, consult our brisket cooking tips.
How to Store Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli:
Allow the dish to cool slightly at room temperature for no more than one hour. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3–4 days. To preserve texture, store sauce and solids together but reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving at high power, which can make the broccoli mushy.
Tips to Make Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli:
- Brown deeply: let the beef develop a rich crust before stirring to build savory depth.
- Preserve broccoli texture: blanch briefly or sear first, then finish in the sauce briefly.
- Balance sweetness: add soy or a squeeze of vinegar to counter excessive honey.
- Use a cornstarch slurry: it creates a glossy sauce that clings to each piece.
Variation (if any):
- Upgrade the beef: use ground sirloin for leaner texture or a mix of chuck and sirloin for richness.
- Add mushrooms or thinly sliced bell pepper for earthy or sweet notes.
- Swap honey for maple syrup or brown sugar for a deeper, molasses-like sweetness.
- Serve family-style in a shallow bowl garnished with toasted sesame and pickled jalapeño for acidity.
FAQs
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes. Thaw and pat dry thoroughly, then dry-roast or pan-sear to remove excess moisture before combining with the sauce to avoid steaming.
How do I make this gluten-free?
Replace soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy alternative and use a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch is naturally gluten-free) to thicken.
Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
Yes. Store in airtight containers up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of broth to restore saucy consistency and prevent the broccoli from becoming limp.
Conclusion
Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli is a polished, accessible dish that delivers glossy sauce, crisp-tender broccoli, and deeply browned beef with minimal effort. It suits weeknight dining and intimate dinners alike, marrying familiar comfort with refined technique. For the original inspiration and a slightly different method, see Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli. Share your plating variations in the comments and on social — how would you make this dish your own?
Print
Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Beef
Description
A refined weeknight staple, this dish features ground beef and broccoli in a sweet, savory honey-soy glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (preferably 80/20)
- 4 cups broccoli florets, bite-sized
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (vegetable or grapeseed)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional)
- 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth or water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and beef broth; set cornstarch slurry aside.
- Pat broccoli dry; mince garlic.
- Heat skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add oil until it shimmers.
- Add broccoli in an even layer and sear for 2–3 minutes until bright green with charred edges; remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and break it up; brown for 6–8 minutes until deep mahogany.
- Push beef to one side, add garlic (and ginger, if using), stirring for 20–30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in sauce mixture and deglaze the pan, bringing to a gentle simmer.
- Stir cornstarch slurry and drizzle into the pan while stirring; cook for 1–2 minutes until thickened.
- Return broccoli to skillet with the white parts of the scallions; toss to coat and warm through.
- Finish with sesame oil, green scallion tops, and sesame seeds.
Notes
Serve over steamed jasmine rice for a classic presentation or in butter lettuce cups for a lighter option. Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg