Honey Garlic Ground Beef with Broccoli
The smell of garlic cooking in a pan makes a house seem like home right away. When you smell it, you know something tasty is coming. And when you add honey? It becomes impossible to resist.

Introduction to the Recipe
I didn’t plan to make Honey Garlic Ground Beef with Broccoli the first time. I opened the fridge and wondered, “What can I make quickly that everyone will like?” It was one of those days.This recipe was made with ground beef, a crown of broccoli, leftover rice, and a bottle of honey garlic sauce. That night, my kitchen turned into the coziest place of happiness. The sweet, sticky sauce stuck to each piece of beef and broccoli, making a flavor that my kids now want for every week.
This recipe makes me think of the kinds of dinners my grandma used to make. They weren’t elaborate or fussy, but they were very satisfying. It has that old-school comfort yet is very easy to use in today’s world. It’s also very customizable, affordable, and a great example of how simple ingredients can make a big difference in flavor.
This is the place to go whether you need a quick weeknight dinner, an easy meal prep suggestion, or just something tasty to satisfy your takeaway need.
- You can do this in 30 minutes or less, which is great for busy weeknights when you want dinner right away.
- One pan to clean up means less mess and less stress.
- That honey garlic mix is sweet, delicious, and filling. Everyone loves it.
- You can change the protein, add more vegetables, or make it spicier.
- Ready to eat—keeps its flavor for days in the fridge.
Time to get ready: 10 minutes
Time to Cook: 20 Minutes
30 minutes in total
Serves: 4
Type: Main Dish
Method: Use a skillet
Asian-inspired food
High-Protein Diet
Ingredients
- 1 pound of lean ground beef
- Three cloves of garlic, chopped up
- One cup of chopped white onion
- Three cups of broccoli florets, chopped into pieces that are easy to eat
- 1 cup of store-bought or homemade honey garlic sauce
- 4 cups of cooked white or brown rice to serve
Homemade Honey Garlic Sauce
With just a few ingredients, you can make your own honey garlic sauce:
- ½ cup of honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari if you can’t eat gluten)
- Three cloves of garlic, chopped up
- 1 tsp of grated ginger and 1 tsp of sesame oil are optional.
You may either let the mixture simmer on low until it thickens or add a cornstarch slurry to make it stickier.
Cooking Instructions
- Begin with the aromatics.
Put a big skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little oil, like vegetable or sesame, to the mix. Put in the minced garlic and chopped onions. Allow them to cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are tender and brown. The smell is the first sign that something fantastic is going on. - Cook the beef until it’s brown.
Add the ground beef and use your spatula to break it up. Cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink and the edges are somewhat crispy. If your sauce isn’t very salty, add a little salt and pepper.

- Put in the broccoli
Add the broccoli florets to the meat mixture and toss them in. You want the broccoli to go a little softer but still be crunchy and colorful. Cook it for around 4 to 5 minutes. If you need to, add a tablespoon of water and cover the pan for 1–2 minutes to assist the broccoli steam faster. - Add the honey garlic sauce.
Put the sauce right in the skillet and swirl until everything is uniformly coated. Let the sauce cook for 2 to 3 minutes so it gets a little thicker. At this point, the beef absorbs all the taste, and the sauce starts to stick to each bite perfectly. - Serve hot
Generously spoon over fluffy rice that has been cooked. If you want, you can add sesame seeds or chopped green onions on top. Enjoy this warm bowl of bliss.
Tips & Variations
Broccoli can be fresh or frozen. Both work! To keep the pan from getting too wet, just thaw the frozen broccoli beforehand.
Want more sauce? To make the honey garlic sauce thicker, double it and add a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water).
For more color and texture, try adding carrots, bell peppers, or snow peas.
Add some spice with a few red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil.
Serve over cauliflower rice, noodles, or even in lettuce cups instead of rice.

Nutrition Information
- About 525 calories
- 29 grams of protein
- 52 grams of carbohydrates
- 22g of fat
- 4g of fiber
- 14g of sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to use ground turkey instead of beef?
Of course! If you want to make it lighter, ground turkey or chicken is a terrific choice.
How do I make it gluten-free?
Instead of soy sauce, use tamari or coconut aminos, and make sure your honey garlic sauce is gluten-free.
What if I want it to be vegetarian?
You can use lentils, tofu crumbles, or finely chopped mushrooms instead of ground beef.
Is it okay to freeze this dish?
Yes! It freezes quite well. Put in sealed containers and let thaw in the fridge overnight before heating up.
Refrigerator: Store in a container that is sealed for up to four days.
Freezer: You can keep it frozen for up to three months. Microwave or heat on the stove until hot all the way through.
Tip for meal prep: Put rice in separate containers so you can grab and go for lunch.
Final Thoughts
Honey Garlic Ground Beef & Broccoli is more than just a dinner. It’s a lifesaver on busy nights, a hit with everyone at the table, and a warm bowl of happiness when you need it most. This recipe is a keeper, whether you’re making it for your family or simply to treat yourself to something tasty and easy. Believe me, it will become a regular part of your evening menu.

