Garlic Beef & Broccoli Rice Bowl with Crispy Edges
Ingredients
- 1 poundground beef
- 1 medium headbroccoli
- 4 clovesgarlic
- 3 tablespoonsoy sauce
- 1 tablespoonrice vinegar
- 1 teaspoonbrown sugar
- 1 teaspoonsesame oil
- 2 tablespoonvegetable oil
- 1 tablespoonginger
- ¼ teaspoonred pepper flakes
- 2 cupcooked rice
- 1 tablespoonsesame seeds
Prep
- 01
Chop 1 medium head of broccoli into bite-sized florets.
- 02
Mince 4 cloves garlic and 1 tablespoon fresh ginger.
- 03
Cook 2 cups rice (about 2/3 cup uncooked) according to package directions and set aside.
Method
- 01
Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it into small pieces, for 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
- 02
Add minced garlic and ginger to the beef and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 03
In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Pour into the skillet and stir to coat the beef.
- 04
Add broccoli florets to the skillet, sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and toss to combine. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until broccoli is tender-crisp and the sauce has reduced slightly. If the pan is dry, add 2–3 tablespoons water.
- 05
Heat remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a second pan or the same skillet over medium-high heat. Divide cooked rice into two portions and press into the bottom of the pan to create a crispy layer. Cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes until the bottom is golden and crispy, then transfer to bowls.
- 06
Spoon the garlic beef and broccoli mixture over the rice. Garnish with 1 tablespoon sesame seeds and serve immediately.
Spice Tips
For more heat, increase red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon or add a squeeze of sriracha. A splash of lime juice at the end brightens the whole dish. If you prefer it sweeter, add another 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar to the sauce.
Make-ahead: brown the beef and prep vegetables up to 4 hours ahead. The crispy rice layer adds textural contrast and deep flavor—don't skip it. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days and reheat easily in a skillet.