Quick & Easy Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

There’s something incredibly satisfying about a meal that comes together in under 30 minutes and still manages to pack in bold flavor, texture, and comfort. That’s exactly what this Quick & Easy Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry delivers. It’s one of my favorite go-to dinners when I need something filling but don’t want to spend an hour in the kitchen. Plus, it's made with simple ingredients I usually already have on hand—ground beef, broccoli, garlic, and pantry staples like soy sauce and honey.

I love this dish because it hits all the marks: sweet, savory, garlicky, and saucy—just the way a stir-fry should be. The beef is juicy and deeply flavored, the broccoli keeps its crisp bite, and the sticky honey garlic sauce brings everything together over a bed of fluffy rice. Whether you’re meal prepping, feeding a crowd, or just need a fast dinner idea, this recipe makes life easier and tastier.

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Why You’ll Love This Quick & Easy Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

• One-pan meal that’s fast to make and easy to clean up
• Healthier takeout alternative without sacrificing flavor
• Budget-friendly, using ground beef instead of pricier cuts
• Perfectly balanced sauce that’s sweet, salty, and garlicky
• Great for meal prep—it reheats beautifully for lunch the next day
• Customizable with whatever veggies you have on hand

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What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?

For this Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry, I prefer using lean ground beef, typically 85% or 90% lean. It strikes the right balance—flavorful enough to stay juicy without leaving too much grease in the pan. If you go with fattier ground beef (like 80/20), be sure to drain the excess fat after browning to keep the sauce from becoming too oily. On the other hand, if you’re using extra-lean beef, you might want to add a small splash of sesame oil or beef broth to keep things moist and flavorful.

The key is browning the beef properly so that it absorbs the honey garlic sauce instead of sitting in too much liquid. Whatever cut you choose, just make sure to season and sear it well.

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Options for Substitutions

This recipe is flexible and can easily adapt to what you already have in the fridge or pantry. Here are a few simple swaps:

• Ground Meat: Swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even pork for a lighter or slightly different flavor.
• Broccoli: Frozen broccoli florets work just as well—just steam or microwave them first so they’re tender before tossing them into the stir-fry.
• Soy Sauce: Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free version, or low-sodium soy sauce if you're watching your salt intake.
• Honey: Maple syrup or brown sugar can replace honey if needed—just adjust the sweetness to taste.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic is best, but garlic powder can work in a pinch. Use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder per clove.
• Thickener: If you don’t have cornstarch, arrowroot powder or a flour slurry will help thicken the sauce.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with this dish. Bell peppers, snap peas, or shredded carrots can be delicious additions too.

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Ingredients for This Quick & Easy Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

• Ground Beef
  This is the heart of the dish—savory, protein-packed, and quick to cook. It soaks up the sauce beautifully for rich, meaty bites.
• Broccoli Florets
  They add freshness, texture, and a slight crunch that balances the richness of the beef and sauce. Plus, they’re great for soaking up flavor.
• Soy Sauce
  Provides the salty, umami backbone of the honey garlic sauce. It ties everything together and gives that classic stir-fry depth.
• Honey
  Adds natural sweetness to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce and the sharpness of the garlic. It creates that perfect sticky glaze.
• Garlic
  Fresh garlic brings bold flavor and sharp aroma—it's essential to making the sauce vibrant and addictive.
• Cornstarch
  Used to thicken the sauce and give it that glossy, takeout-style texture that clings perfectly to the meat and broccoli.
• Water
  Helps stretch the sauce just enough to coat everything evenly without diluting the flavor.
• Sesame Oil (optional)
  A small drizzle adds a nutty, toasty aroma that enhances the stir-fry with an extra layer of flavor.
• Cooked White Rice (for serving)
  Not part of the stir-fry itself, but absolutely necessary to soak up all that saucy goodness and turn it into a full meal.

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Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Start by heating a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spatula. Cook until it’s browned and fully cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. If there’s excess grease, drain it off.

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Step 2: Add the Garlic

Once the beef is cooked, add the minced garlic directly into the pan. Stir it into the beef and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

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Step 3: Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, and water until smooth. Pour this mixture into the pan with the beef and garlic.

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Step 4: Simmer and Thicken

Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes. It will start to thicken and coat the beef as it bubbles. Stir often to prevent sticking and to make sure the sauce is evenly distributed.

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Step 5: Steam or Blanch the Broccoli

While the sauce is thickening, steam or blanch your broccoli until it's bright green and just tender (about 3–4 minutes). You can also microwave it with a bit of water in a covered bowl for a quick shortcut.

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Step 6: Combine Everything

Add the cooked broccoli to the pan with the beef and sauce. Stir everything together so the broccoli gets coated with that sticky, savory honey garlic glaze.

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Step 7: Serve

Scoop the stir-fry over a bowl of fluffy white rice, garnish with sesame seeds or sliced green onions if desired, and serve hot.

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How Long to Cook the Quick & Easy Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

This dish comes together fast—perfect for weeknights when time is tight.

• Browning the beef: 6–8 minutes
• Cooking the garlic: 1 minute
• Simmering the sauce: 2–3 minutes
• Cooking broccoli: 3–4 minutes (steamed, blanched, or microwaved)
• Final stir-fry and combine: 1–2 minutes

Total active cooking time: About 15 minutes
You can even start your rice before anything else and have everything ready at the same time.

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Tips for Perfect Quick & Easy Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

• Use lean ground beef to avoid excess grease in the sauce.
• Don’t skip the cornstarch—it gives the sauce that thick, glossy consistency you want.
• Pre-cook the broccoli separately so it doesn’t get mushy. It keeps that fresh, green crunch.
• Taste the sauce before adding broccoli—you can adjust sweetness or saltiness to your preference.
• Double the sauce if you’re serving with lots of rice or want extra for drizzling.
• Use high heat to get everything sizzling and caramelized without overcooking.
• Add sesame oil at the end for the best aroma—too early and it can burn off.

This recipe is fast, but with these simple tricks, it tastes like you spent way more time on it.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

Even with a simple stir-fry like this, a few small missteps can affect the final result. Keep these in mind:

• Overcrowding the pan: If your skillet is too small, cook the beef in batches. Overcrowding leads to steaming, not browning.
• Not draining fat (if needed): Too much grease waters down the sauce and makes it feel heavy. Drain before adding garlic and sauce.
• Overcooking the broccoli: Mushy broccoli doesn’t hold up well in stir-fry. Stop cooking when it’s just tender with a slight crunch.
• Burning the garlic: Garlic cooks fast—only sauté it briefly before adding the sauce.
• Skipping the thickener: No cornstarch means a watery sauce that won’t cling to the beef.
• Adding sauce too early: Wait until the beef is fully cooked and fat is drained, or the sauce won’t develop properly.
• Using low heat: Stir-fry needs high heat for the sauce to caramelize and thicken quickly.

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What to Serve With Quick & Easy Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry?

Steamed Jasmine Rice

A fluffy, neutral base that soaks up every drop of the sweet and savory sauce.

Garlic Fried Rice

For extra garlicky goodness and a richer, more flavorful meal.

Sesame Noodles

Tossed in a light sesame-soy dressing, they’re great served cold or warm on the side.

Cucumber Salad

A crisp and refreshing contrast to the hot, sticky stir-fry.

Kimchi

Fermented, spicy, and tangy—kimchi adds an unexpected but delicious punch of flavor.

Egg Rolls or Spring Rolls

A crunchy appetizer that pairs beautifully with the saucy stir-fry.

Stir-Fried Snow Peas

Lightly sautéed with garlic and sesame oil—they keep things fresh and green.

Miso Soup

A warm, umami-packed starter to make it feel like a full takeout experience at home.

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Storage Instructions

This stir-fry is fantastic for leftovers and holds up well in the fridge.

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen over time, making it even tastier the next day.
• Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or soy sauce to loosen the sauce. Microwave works too—heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
• Freeze: You can freeze the cooked beef and broccoli stir-fry (without rice) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat as usual.

Tip: If freezing, undercook the broccoli slightly so it doesn’t turn mushy upon reheating.

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Estimated Nutrition

These values are based on one serving out of four total, served with 1 cup of white rice:

• Calories: ~450
• Protein: ~26g
• Carbohydrates: ~35g
• Sugar: ~12g
• Fat: ~22g
• Saturated Fat: ~7g
• Fiber: ~3g
• Sodium: ~780mg
• Cholesterol: ~70mg

This recipe strikes a good balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. You can reduce sodium further by using low-sodium soy sauce or increasing the ratio of broccoli to beef.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to cook broccoli for this stir-fry?

I recommend steaming or blanching the broccoli until it’s just tender but still vibrant green. You can also microwave it with a splash of water in a covered bowl for a quick shortcut.

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Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! This stir-fry holds up beautifully in the fridge. Just store it in an airtight container and reheat it when ready. It’s perfect for meal prep and quick lunches.

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Can I use frozen broccoli?

Absolutely. Just make sure to thaw and steam it slightly before adding it to the stir-fry so it’s not too soft or watery.

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What kind of rice works best with this dish?

Jasmine rice or long-grain white rice is perfect. Brown rice also works well for a healthier twist, and cauliflower rice is a great low-carb option.

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Is this dish gluten-free?

It can be! Just swap the soy sauce with gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos, and make sure your cornstarch and other condiments are certified gluten-free.

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How do I make the sauce thicker?

Use more cornstarch—start with an extra ½ teaspoon mixed with cold water. Let it simmer and stir until the sauce thickens to your liking.

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Can I double the recipe?

Yes, just be sure to use a large skillet or cook in batches so the beef browns properly and doesn’t steam.

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What vegetables can I add in?

Try bell peppers, snap peas, shredded carrots, mushrooms, or even baby spinach. This stir-fry is incredibly versatile!

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Conclusion

This Quick & Easy Honey Garlic Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry is everything I want in a weekday dinner—fast, flavorful, satisfying, and flexible. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a treat but takes barely any time to make. Whether you’re cooking for one, feeding a family, or meal prepping for the week, this dish always delivers. With the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savory, it’s one of those recipes I keep coming back to again and again.

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