Pan-Seared Beef and Broccoli with Lemon

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-20 · Updated 2026-04-20

Lean ground beef cooked with crisp broccoli and zesty lemon for a satisfying, protein-packed dish. This american-inspired whole30 ready in about 25 minutes pairs (85% lean) ground beef, florets cut into 1-inch pieces broccoli, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (85% lean) ground beef
• 2 cups, florets cut into 1-inch pieces broccoli
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1, juiced lemon
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles, and cook 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer to a plate.
2. Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, then add broccoli florets and minced garlic. Cook 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until broccoli is tender-crisp and slightly charred.
3. Step 3: Return cooked ground beef to the skillet with broccoli. Squeeze juice from 1 lemon over the mixture, toss to combine, and cook 1 more minute until heated through and flavors meld.