This One Pot Ground Beef & Broccoli Rice Skillet lets the beef and rice simmer in a delicious honey-garlic sauce that gives this dish it’s delicious flavor. It’s an easy, unique take on the classic beef and broccoli dish, but using ground beef instead of sliced steak.
Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef & Broccoli Rice Skillet
- One pot, minimal cleanup – Everything cooks in a single skillet, so there are fewer dishes and less mess.
- Family-friendly flavors – Savory, slightly sweet, and not spicy, making it a great option for kids and adults alike.
- Great for busy weeknights – Simple ingredients and easy steps mean dinner is ready with very little effort.
- Perfect for meal prep – Stores well and reheats beautifully for lunches or quick dinners.
For ingredient notes, tips and storing & freezing instructions, see underneath the recipe card!
One Pot Ground Beef & Broccoli Rice Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp minced garlic (or 4-5 cloves, chopped)
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken or beef broth
- 2 cups broccoli (chopped small)
- 1-2 cups fresh spinach
Sauce:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1½ tbsp honey
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients. Set aside.
- In a large skillet or wide pot, add the ground beef and cook over medium heat until no longer pink (about 5 minutes). Once cooked, drain any fat by scooping out the liquid with a spoon and safely discarding it.
- Push the meat to one side of the pan and add the garlic and bell pepper to the empty side. Toss and cook for 2-3 minutes, until bell pepper is slightly soft.
- Add the rice, broth and all of the sauce. Stir well and turn heat up to high. Bring mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, turn heat down to low and cover.
- Let it simmer for 15 minutes on low heat. After 15 minutes, remove the lid and evenly scatter the broccoli over the top. Cover again and cook for another 5-7 minutes. It's ready when broccoli is tender and rice is fully cooked.
- Turn heat off and gently stir. Add the spinach and stir one more time. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more soy sauce or honey, if needed.
- Serve as is or with a squeeze of lime and your favorite hot sauce. Enjoy!
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Nutrition
For another family-friendly, one pot meal, try my highly rated Cheesy Taco Orzo Skillet!
Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef – Ground beef adds hearty flavor and protein to this dish. I prefer using 90% or leaner but an 80/20 or 85/15 blend works too. Just be sure to drain excess grease after browning so the rice cooks properly.
- Garlic – I keep a jar of minced garlic in the refrigerator to make cooking with garlic easier. If you don’t have minced garlic on hand, you can finely chop 4-5 cloves.
- Rice – Long-grain white rice cooks up light and fluffy, making it ideal for one-pot skillet meals. It absorbs the sauce without becoming mushy and holds its texture during simmering. Avoid short-grain or instant rice, as they require different liquid ratios and cook times.
- Veggies – Broccoli, bell pepper and spinach all add extra nutrients and fiber without overpowering the other flavors.
- Broth – You can use either chicken or beef broth. Both work just fine in this recipe.
- Sauce – Soy sauce, honey and sesame oil are all you need for a simple, yet flavorful sauce.
How to Make Ground Beef & Broccoli
In a small bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients. Set aside. (Tip: To save on dishes, I mix all of this in the measuring cup I use for the soy sauce. I pour the soy sauce into my glass measuring cup and then add the honey and sesame oil and mix well.)
In a large skillet or wide pot, add the ground beef and cook over medium heat until no longer pink (about 5 minutes). Once cooked, drain any fat by scooping out the liquid with a spoon and safely discarding it.
Push the meat to one side of the pan and add the garlic and bell pepper to the empty side. Toss and cook for 2-3 minutes, until bell pepper is slightly soft.
Add the rice, broth and all of the sauce. Stir well and turn heat up to high. Bring mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, turn heat down to low and cover.
Let it simmer for 15 minutes on low heat. After 15 minutes, remove the lid and evenly scatter the broccoli over the top. Cover again and cook for another 5-7 minutes. It’s ready when broccoli is tender and rice is fully cooked.
Turn heat off and gently stir. Add the spinach and stir one more time. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more soy sauce or honey, if needed.
Serve as is or with a squeeze of lime and your favorite hot sauce. Enjoy!
Tips & Notes for the Best Ground Beef & Broccoli
Use long-grain white rice only. Short-grain, brown, or instant rice require different liquid amounts and cook times and may not cook properly in this one-pot dish.
Drain excess grease after browning the beef. Too much fat can prevent the rice from cooking evenly.
Keep the lid on while the rice cooks. Avoid stirring once the liquid is added so the rice can steam and become fluffy.
How to Store Leftovers
Storage (Refrigerator)
Let the cooked skillet cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container.
✔ Store in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
When you’re ready to eat, heat in the microwave until hot.
Freezing Instructions
This dish freezes well for meal prep!
- Let the cooked beef, broccoli, and rice cool completely.
- Pack into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
- Label and date them.
- Freeze for up to 2–3 months.
Tip: If you’re freezing individual portions, lay bags flat in the freezer so they stack easily.
How to Reheat From Frozen
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheat either in the microwave or on the stove until hot and steaming throughout.
- You can add a splash of broth or water while reheating to help loosen the rice if it’s a bit dry.
Note: The broccoli may soften more after freezing and reheating — that’s normal with mixed meals containing veggies.
