One Pot Ground Beef and Broccoli
One Pot Ground Beef and Broccoli is a quick gluten-free dinner with tender beef, fluffy rice, and crisp broccoli in savory sauce—ready in 30 minutes!
You know those nights when you’re staring into the fridge at 5:30 PM, wondering how you’ll get dinner on the table before someone declares a snack emergency? I’ve been there more times than I can count, and that’s exactly how this One Pot Ground Beef and Broccoli came to be. It’s become my go-to rescue meal when I need something hearty, nourishing, and—most importantly—done in one pan.
This Beef and Broccoli Skillet brings together savory ground beef, tender rice, and vibrant broccoli in a lightly sweet and salty sauce that reminds me of takeout, but without the worry about hidden gluten or the pile of dishes afterward. According to research from the Celiac Disease Foundation, many restaurant Asian dishes contain hidden sources of gluten, making homemade versions like this essential for safe eating.
The best part? Everything cooks together in one skillet, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor as the rice absorbs all that delicious beef stock and sauce. Whether you’re new to gluten-free cooking or just need a reliable weeknight winner, this Easy One Pot Beef Dinner delivers every single time.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
| Sauce | Amount |
|---|---|
| Water | 1/3 cup (80 ml) |
| Gluten-free soy sauce/tamari | 1/4 cup (60 ml) |
| Brown sugar | 2 tablespoons (28 g) |
| Rice vinegar | 1 tablespoon (15 ml) |
| Beef & Rice | Amount |
|---|---|
| Neutral cooking oil (avocado or vegetable) | 1 tablespoon (15 ml) |
| White onion, diced | 1/2 medium |
| Garlic, minced | 4 cloves |
| Fresh ginger, peeled & minced | 1 tablespoon |
| Lean ground beef | 1 pound (500 g) |
| Uncooked long grain white rice (basmati or jasmine) | 1 cup (200 g) |
| Beef stock | 2 cups (480 ml) |
| Broccoli florets, chopped small | 2 cups (about 200 g) |
| Optional Toppings |
|---|
| Sesame seeds |
| Sliced green onions |
| Sriracha/hot sauce |
| Toasted sesame oil |
Instructions
Step 1: In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the water, gluten-free soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar until the sugar dissolves. This simple sauce is what gives your Ground Beef Broccoli its signature sweet-savory flavor. Set it aside while you prep the rest.
Step 2: Heat a large skillet or wide pot over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Once the oil shimmers (that’s when you know it’s ready), toss in the diced onion. Stir occasionally and let it cook for about 5 minutes until the edges start to soften and turn translucent.
Step 3: Lower the heat to medium-low and add your minced garlic and fresh ginger to the softened onion. Stir constantly for about one minute—just until you catch that incredible aroma wafting up from the pan. Don’t let the garlic burn or it’ll turn bitter.
Step 4: Crank the heat back up to high and add the ground beef to your aromatic onion mixture. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the beef into small crumbles as it cooks. Continue cooking for 5-7 minutes until there’s no pink remaining and the beef is nicely browned all over.
Step 5: Reduce your heat to medium and add the uncooked rice directly to the beef mixture, followed by your prepared sauce. Give everything a good stir to coat the rice evenly, then pour in the beef stock. The liquid should just barely cover everything—as light and bubbly as a summer rain shower.
Step 6: Bring the entire pot to a gentle simmer, then cover tightly with a fitted lid. Switch the heat down to medium-low and let it cook undisturbed for about 12 minutes. Resist the urge to peek—trapping that steam is what makes the rice perfectly fluffy!
Step 7: After 10-12 minutes, carefully lift the lid and scatter your chopped broccoli florets over the top of the rice. Don’t stir them in yet—just nestle them on top so they can steam. Replace the lid and cook for another 10-12 minutes until the rice is tender and the broccoli turns bright green and fork-tender.
Step 8: Remove the skillet from the heat but keep it covered for an additional 5-10 minutes. This resting time lets the rice finish absorbing any remaining liquid and ensures every grain is perfectly cooked through.
Step 9: Remove the lid and gently fold the broccoli into the beef and rice mixture using a large spoon or spatula. That’s it—your One Pot Ground Beef and Broccoli is ready to serve! Top with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, a drizzle of sriracha, or a splash of toasted sesame oil for an extra layer of nutty richness.
Substitutions For Beef and Broccoli Skillet
No ground beef? Ground turkey or ground chicken work beautifully in this Beef and Broccoli Skillet. You might want to add an extra tablespoon of oil since these leaner proteins don’t release as much fat during cooking.
Fresh ginger not on hand? Substitute with 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, though fresh really does give that bright, zingy flavor. In a pinch, you can also use ginger paste from a tube.
Need it dairy-free? This recipe is naturally dairy-free as written, making it perfect for multiple dietary needs. Just double-check that your beef stock doesn’t contain any sneaky dairy additives.
Want more veggies? Swap half the broccoli for diced bell peppers, snap peas, or shredded carrots. Add firmer vegetables like carrots at the same time as the broccoli, but wait to add delicate greens like spinach until the very end.
Gluten-free soy sauce alternatives: Tamari is my favorite go-to, but coconut aminos work well if you’re avoiding soy entirely. The flavor will be slightly sweeter and less salty, so you might want to add a pinch of sea salt to balance things out.
Troubleshooting
Rice turned out mushy? You likely used too much liquid or cooked it too long. Next time, measure your beef stock carefully and set a timer—12 minutes for the first cook, then 10-12 for the second stage with broccoli.
Rice is still crunchy? This usually means there wasn’t enough liquid or the heat was too low. Add 1/4 cup more stock or water, cover, and let it steam for another 5 minutes on low heat.
Broccoli is overcooked and drab? The trick is adding it during the last 10-12 minutes only. If you add it earlier, it’ll turn olive-green and mushy. For extra-crisp broccoli, add it during just the last 8 minutes instead.
Beef is dry or tough? Make sure you’re using ground beef with at least 15% fat (85/15 works great). Extra-lean beef can turn dry in one-pot recipes since there’s less moisture to keep things tender. Also, avoid overcooking—once the pink is gone, you’re good!
Dish tastes bland? Well… this might mean your soy sauce or beef stock wasn’t as flavorful as expected. Taste and adjust with an extra splash of tamari, a pinch of salt, or a drizzle of sesame oil at the end for richness.
Storage & Meal Prep
Store any leftover Ground Beef Broccoli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious for quick lunches.
To reheat, add a splash of water or beef stock to prevent the rice from drying out, then warm in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat. You can also freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
This Easy One Pot Beef Dinner is satisfying enough to serve on its own, but I love pairing it with a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar for a refreshing contrast. A side of gluten-free egg rolls or spring rolls would also be delicious!
For family-style serving, bring the whole skillet to the table with small bowls of toppings—sesame seeds, green onions, sriracha—so everyone can customize their bowl. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep Sundays, or even casual gatherings where you want something hearty without the fuss.
Variations
Kid-friendly version: Reduce the ginger to 1 teaspoon and skip the sriracha topping. Kids usually love this milder version, and you can always keep hot sauce on the side for adults who want extra heat.
Extra-protein boost: Stir in a beaten egg during the last 2 minutes of cooking for an added protein punch. Just drizzle it over the top, stir gently, and let it cook through for a fried rice-style finish.
Low-carb option: Replace the rice with riced cauliflower (add it during the last 5 minutes of cooking instead of at the beginning). You’ll use less liquid—about 1/2 cup beef stock instead of 2 cups.
Make it spicy: Add 1-2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic and ginger, or stir in some sambal oelek with the sauce. Man, oh man, does that add a nice kick!
Vegetarian swap: Use crumbled firm tofu or plant-based ground “beef” instead of meat, and swap beef stock for vegetable stock. The cooking time stays the same, and the result is just as satisfying.
FAQs About One Pot Ground Beef and Broccoli
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and liquid. Brown rice typically needs 40-45 minutes to cook fully and requires about 2 1/2 cups of beef stock instead of 2 cups. Add the broccoli during the last 10 minutes only.
What’s the best way to prep this ahead?
You can chop all your vegetables and measure out ingredients up to 2 days in advance. Store the sauce in a sealed container in the fridge, and keep the prepped onion, garlic, and ginger together in another container for easy assembly.
How do I make this recipe spicier?
Add red pepper flakes with the garlic and ginger, use spicy sriracha as a topping, or stir in some chili garlic sauce with the beef stock. You can control the heat level by adjusting these to your family’s taste preferences.
Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely! Just make sure you’re using a large enough skillet or pot—at least 12 inches wide with high sides. You might need to add an extra 5 minutes to the cooking time since there’s more volume to heat through.
One Pot Ground Beef and Broccoli
Equipment
- Large skillet or wide pot with lid
- Small bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
Sauce
- ⅓ cup water 80 ml
- ¼ cup gluten-free soy sauce/tamari 60 ml
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar 28 g
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 15 ml
Beef & Rice
- 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil avocado or vegetable oil, 15 ml
- ½ white onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger peeled & minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef 500 g
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice basmati or jasmine, 200 g
- 2 cups beef stock 480 ml
- 2 cups broccoli florets chopped small, about 200 g
Optional Toppings
- sesame seeds
- sliced green onions
- sriracha/hot sauce
- toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the water, gluten-free soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar until the sugar dissolves. This simple sauce is what gives your Ground Beef Broccoli its signature sweet-savory flavor. Set it aside while you prep the rest.
- Heat a large skillet or wide pot over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Once the oil shimmers (that’s when you know it’s ready), toss in the diced onion. Stir occasionally and let it cook for about 5 minutes until the edges start to soften and turn translucent.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and add your minced garlic and fresh ginger to the softened onion. Stir constantly for about one minute—just until you catch that incredible aroma wafting up from the pan. Don’t let the garlic burn or it’ll turn bitter.
- Crank the heat back up to high and add the ground beef to your aromatic onion mixture. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the beef into small crumbles as it cooks. Continue cooking for 5-7 minutes until there’s no pink remaining and the beef is nicely browned all over.
- Reduce your heat to medium and add the uncooked rice directly to the beef mixture, followed by your prepared sauce. Give everything a good stir to coat the rice evenly, then pour in the beef stock. The liquid should just barely cover everything.
- Bring the entire pot to a gentle simmer, then cover tightly with a fitted lid. Switch the heat down to medium-low and let it cook undisturbed for about 12 minutes. Resist the urge to peek—trapping that steam is what makes the rice perfectly fluffy!
- After 10-12 minutes, carefully lift the lid and scatter your chopped broccoli florets over the top of the rice. Don’t stir them in yet—just nestle them on top so they can steam. Replace the lid and cook for another 10-12 minutes until the rice is tender and the broccoli turns bright green and fork-tender.
- Remove the skillet from the heat but keep it covered for an additional 5-10 minutes. This resting time lets the rice finish absorbing any remaining liquid and ensures every grain is perfectly cooked through.
- Remove the lid and gently fold the broccoli into the beef and rice mixture using a large spoon or spatula. That’s it—your One Pot Ground Beef and Broccoli is ready to serve! Top with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, a drizzle of sriracha, or a splash of toasted sesame oil for an extra layer of nutty richness.
