Hearty Ground Beef Recipe

Sizzling Ground Beef Recipe for Instant Family Joy

Sizzling skillets and mouthwatering aromas fill the kitchen with this incredible ground beef recipe that promises pure culinary delight.

Weeknight dinners become instantly exciting when you add a dash of creativity to simple ingredients.

Hearty and satisfying, this dish brings robust flavors that dance across your taste buds with each savory bite.

Home cooks love how quickly these meals come together without sacrificing an ounce of deliciousness.

Tender meat seasoned perfectly creates a meal that feels like a warm embrace on a busy evening.

Rich and comforting, this recipe turns ordinary ground beef into something extraordinary that everyone at the table will devour.

Dive into this delectable creation and watch dinner become the highlight of your day.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 396 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Ground Beef Basics

For Protein:
  • Ground Beef: Delivers rich, meaty flavor and provides substantial protein base for the dish, choose lean beef for healthier option.
For Sauce Components:
  • Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar: Adds deep umami and tangy complexity, select low-sodium soy sauce for controlled salt content.
  • Brown Sugar: Balances savory elements with gentle sweetness, opt for fresh, soft brown sugar.
  • Cornstarch: Creates silky sauce texture and helps thicken liquid, ensure fresh and clump-free.
For Aromatics and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic, Ginger: Infuse vibrant, zesty undertones, use fresh roots for most intense flavor.
For Vegetables:
  • Broccoli: Provides crisp texture and nutritional boost, select bright green, firm florets with tight clusters.
For Garnish:
  • Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Add visual appeal and nutty, fresh accent, choose bright green onion tops.
For Cooking Base:
  • Cooking Oil: Ensures smooth cooking process and prevents sticking, use neutral oil with high smoke point.

Equipment to Cook Ground Beef Like a Pro

  • Large Nonstick Skillet: Your main cooking vessel for searing broccoli and browning ground beef.
  • Medium Bowl: Perfect for whisking together the flavorful sauce ingredients.
  • Whisk: Essential tool for blending sauce components smoothly and eliminating sugar lumps.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps break up ground beef and stir ingredients without scratching the skillet.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for consistent flavor.
  • Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping green onions and sesame seed garnish.

How to Brown, Season, and Use Ground Beef

  • Broccoli Preparation

Sizzle broccoli in hot oil until edges blacken and texture becomes crisp. Move to a separate bowl, setting aside for later blending.

  • Meat Browning

Heat skillet and introduce ground beef, breaking into small crumbles. Season lightly with salt and cook until rich brown color develops.

  • Flavor Fusion

Pour savory sauce mixture over browned meat, allowing ingredients to dance and meld together. Stir constantly until liquid transforms into glossy, thick coating.

  • Final Harmony

Reunite broccoli with seasoned meat, gently mixing to ensure every morsel gets embraced by the delicious sauce. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds for a burst of freshness.

  • Serving Suggestion

Nestle this zesty beef and broccoli creation atop fluffy steamed rice, creating a complete meal that promises comfort and satisfaction in every bite.

Cooking Tips for Juicier, Flavorful Results

  • Swap broccoli with other quick-cooking vegetables like cauliflower, snap peas, or bell peppers for a colorful twist on the original recipe.
  • Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives to suit different dietary preferences and create exciting flavor variations.
  • Add a kick of heat by mixing in sriracha, red pepper flakes, or chili oil during the sauce-making process for those who enjoy a spicier meal.
  • Prepare the sauce and chop vegetables in advance to streamline cooking time and make weeknight dinner preparation a breeze.
  • For extra crispy broccoli, pat the vegetables completely dry before cooking and use high heat to achieve perfect blackened edges without steaming.

Ways to Serve Ground Beef Across Meals

  • Cozy Family Dinner Night: Serve this ground beef and broccoli dish as a hearty centerpiece with steamed white rice, creating a warm and satisfying meal that brings everyone together around the table.
  • Asian-Inspired Lunch Bowl: Transform leftovers into a quick lunch by adding the beef and broccoli mixture over quinoa or brown rice, topped with extra green onions for a fresh crunch.
  • Meal Prep Champion: Portion the dish into meal prep containers with rice on the bottom and beef mixture on top, making an easy grab-and-go lunch for busy workdays that stays delicious when reheated.
  • Spice Level Adventure: Sprinkle some red pepper flakes or drizzle sriracha sauce for those who love an extra kick, allowing each person to customize their plate with their preferred heat level.

Storing Leftover Beef for Weekly Recipes

  • Refrigerator Ready Meals: Pack individual portions in airtight containers for easy grab-and-go lunches during busy workweeks. These meal-prep friendly containers keep food fresh for 3-4 days.
  • Freezer Friendly Strategy: Separate ground beef and broccoli mixture into freezer-safe containers before adding sauce. Freeze up to 2 months for quick future meals. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
  • Flavor Boost Tip: Store green onions and sesame seeds separately to maintain crispness. Add these garnishes just before serving to ensure maximum texture and freshness.
  • Reheating Wisdom: Warm leftovers in skillet over medium heat with splash of water to prevent drying. Stir gently to redistribute sauce and maintain meat's moisture. Microwave works in pinch, but skillet method prevents sauce separation.
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Hearty Ground Beef Recipe

Hearty Ground Beef Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Mexican-style ground beef enchiladas combine zesty spices with melted cheese for a comforting dinner classic. Home cooks appreciate how quickly this dish comes together with simple ingredients and minimal preparation time.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (453.6 g) 90/10 lean ground beef
  • 12 oz (340.2 g, about 5 ¼ cups) fresh broccoli florets
  • 1 cup (240 ml) water
  • 6 tbsps (90 ml) lower-sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tbsps packed light brown sugar
  • 3 tbsps (45 ml) neutral oil (such as canola)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) minced fresh ginger (from 1-inch piece)
  • 2 tsps unseasoned rice vinegar
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) cornstarch
  • 2 tsps toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Steamed white rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. Sauce Preparation: Whisk water, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar into a silky, well-integrated liquid seasoning, ensuring sugar completely dissolves.
  2. Broccoli Roasting: Heat oil in skillet over high flame, charring broccoli florets until edges blacken and texture becomes tender-crisp, rotating periodically for even caramelization.
  3. Beef Sautéing: Lower heat to medium, introduce additional oil, then crumble ground beef into pan. Season with salt and cook until meat browns deeply and separates completely.
  4. Flavor Fusion: Pour prepared sauce over beef, allowing mixture to simmer and thicken while continuously stirring, creating a glossy coating that integrates all flavors harmoniously.
  5. Final Assembly: Reintroduce roasted broccoli to skillet, tossing vigorously to ensure every ingredient gets evenly glazed with sauce. Continue cooking until sauce reaches perfect clingy consistency.
  6. Plating: Garnish with scattered sesame seeds and chopped green onions, then serve over steaming white rice, presenting a vibrant, flavor-packed culinary creation.

Notes

  • Sauce Secrets: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to prevent cornstarch clumping and ensure a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to beef and broccoli.
  • Broccoli Blazing: High-heat searing creates charred edges and locks in nutrients, transforming bland vegetables into crispy, caramelized delights.
  • Beef Browning Technique: Crumble meat evenly and cook at medium heat to develop deep, rich flavor without burning, creating tender, well-separated pieces.
  • Flavor Fusion: Allow sauce to simmer and reduce, giving time for ingredients to meld together, ensuring each bite is packed with harmonious, balanced taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 396
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 558 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 27 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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