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    Home » Recipes » Beef

    Beef and Broccoli

    Published: Aug 23, 2023 by Kate

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    Plate of beef and broccoli, close up photo, and ingredients on a table.
    Plate of beef and broccoli, plus ingredients on a table.

    This delicious and tender Beef and Broccoli is perfectly cooked in just 25 minutes with a homemade Chinese-style stir fry sauce. It's as easy as it is irresistible!

    Plate of beef, broccoli and rice.
    Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

    If you're like me and crave a hearty meal that doesn't require hours in the kitchen, this Beef and Broccoli stir-fry is a game-changer.

    Ready in under 25 minutes (including 15 minute marinating time!), it's a perfect balance of tender beef, vibrant broccoli, and a delectable sauce that ties everything together.

    This dish is a favorite not only for its fantastic taste but also for how effortlessly it comes together.

    Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting out, you'll appreciate the simplicity and deliciousness of this recipe.

    We love to serve it on a bed of fragrant basmati rice, or over noodles!

    Beef and Broccoli stir-fry is a winner in every sense. Its simplicity, flavor-packed profile, and ability to satisfy your cravings with minimal effort make it a go-to recipe for any occasion.

    Love beef? Be sure to also try Baked Beef Meatballs, Beef Birria, or Irish Slow Cooker Beef Stew!

    Jump to:
    • Flank Steak
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Variations
    • More Easy Dinner Recipes
    • Storage
    • Recipe Tips
    • FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Flank Steak

    Flank steak, cut from the cow's belly, boasts a rich flavor and versatility.

    Often marinated and grilled, it's key to slice against the grain for tenderness.

    Its adaptability shines in fajitas, stir-fries, and salads, and its robust nature welcomes various seasonings.

    Flank steak is also known as "London broil" or "jiffy steak" in some regions.

    If you're looking for substitutions in a stir-fry, consider using thinly sliced skirt steak, sirloin steak, or even chicken breast as alternatives to flank steak.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    1. Quick and Easy: With minimal prep work and a short cooking time, this recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want a satisfying meal without the fuss.
    2. Customizable: You can easily adapt the recipe to your taste by adjusting the seasonings or adding other vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas.
    3. Budget-Friendly: Beef and broccoli are both affordable ingredients, making this dish a wallet-friendly option for feeding a family or a group of friends.
    4. Healthier Takeout Alternative: Making your own Beef and Broccoli stir-fry at home allows you to control the ingredients and avoid excessive sodium or unhealthy additives found in some takeout versions.
    5. Impressive Flavor: The combination of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil creates a flavorful sauce that elevates the entire dish.
    Beef and broccoli ingredients on a tabe.

    Ingredients

    You only need simple pantry ingredients for this recipe! It's a rather long list, but you probably already have most of it in your pantry.

    • Beef: I usually go for flank steak or sirloin as they become incredibly tender when sliced thinly against the grain.
    • Broccoli: The star vegetable, delivering vibrant color, crunch, and nutrition.
    • Soy Sauce: The umami-rich base of the marinade and sauce. For a gluten-free version, opt for tamari sauce.
    • Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
    • Cornstarch: This thickens the sauce and helps the beef to get that lovely caramelized crust during stir-frying.
    • Lemon Juice: A subtle hint of brightness.
    • Beef Broth: Enhances the depth of flavor in the sauce.
    • Sesame Oil: Provides a distinct nutty aroma.
    • Ginger Root: Freshly grated ginger adds a zingy kick.
    • Garlic: Minced garlic adds a wonderful aromatic quality.
    • Black Pepper: A dash of black pepper gives a gentle heat.
    • Vegetable Oil: For stir-frying, a neutral oil like vegetable oil works best.

    See the recipe card for quantities and method.

    How to make Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

    Follow these step-by-step instructions, then scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.

    Marinating the beef.

    In a bowl, combine the sliced beef with soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.

    Whisking the sauce.

    Add all sauce ingredients, except the cornstarch to a bowl and whisk to combine. Mix the cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of water, then whisk it into the sauce. Set aside.

    Blanch the broccoli florets in boiling water for about 1-2 minutes until they turn bright green. Drain and immediately place them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside.

    Stir frying the beef.

    Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Once hot, add the marinated beef and quickly stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until it's browned and cooked through.

    Beef in the sauce.

    Add the sauce and cook for a further 2 minutes until it thickens.

    Beef and broccoli simmering in the sauce.

    Stir in the blanched broccoli and stir fry for a further minute to heat through.

    Serve the beef and broccoli over cooked rice. You can garnish with sesame seeds if desired.

    Close up looking down at a dish of beef, broccoli and rice.

    Scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.

    Serving Suggestions

    Variations

    • Chicken and Broccoli: Swap out the beef for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
    • Tofu and Broccoli: For a vegetarian twist, use firm tofu instead of meat. Press the tofu to remove excess moisture before stir-frying.
    • Spicy Kick: If you're a fan of heat, add red pepper flakes or a drizzle of Sriracha to the sauce.
    • Cashew Crunch: Toss in roasted cashews or almonds for extra texture and flavor.
    • Mushroom Magic: Sautéed mushrooms are a wonderful addition that brings an earthy richness to the dish.

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    Storage

    Store your Beef and Broccoli stir-fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you're ready to reheat, use a skillet or microwave to warm it gently, preserving the flavors and textures as much as possible.

    Recipe Tips

    1. Thin Slices: Slicing the beef thinly against the grain ensures tenderness. You'll be amazed at the difference it makes.
    2. Prep Ahead: You can marinate the beef and blanch the broccoli in advance to save time when you're ready to cook.
    3. Hot and Fast: Stir-frying happens quickly over high heat. Have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.

    FAQs

    Can I use frozen broccoli?

    Yes, you can, but fresh broccoli will have a crisper texture.

    Plate of beef, broccoli and rice.

    Be sure to subscribe to my free Newsletter and follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for more tasty recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    Close up of a dish of Beef and Broccoli.

    Beef and Broccoli

    This delicious and tender Beef and Broccoli is perfectly cooked in just 25 minutes with a homemade Chinese-style stir fry sauce.
    5 from 12 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American, Chinese
    Keyword: beef and broccoli
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Marinating time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 366kcal
    Author: Kate | You Say Potatoes
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Wok
    • Bowl

    Ingredients

    For the Beef Marinade

    • 1 ½ pounds beef, flank steak or sirloin sliced thinly against the grain
    • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

    For the Sauce

    • ½ cup beef broth
    • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon grated ginger root
    • 3 cloves of garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

    For the Stir Fry

    • 1 ½ cups broccoli florets
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
    • Rice for serving

    Instructions

    • In a bowl, combine the sliced beef with soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
    • Add all sauce ingredients, except the cornstarch to a bowl and whisk to combine. Mix the cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of water, then whisk it into the sauce. Set aside.
    • Blanch the broccoli florets in boiling water for about 1-2 minutes until they turn bright green. Drain and immediately place them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside.
    • Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Once hot, add the marinated beef and quickly stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until it's browned and cooked through.
    • Add the sauce and cook for a further 2 minutes until it thickens.
    • Stir in the blanched broccoli and stir fry for a further minute to heat through.
    • Serve the beef and broccoli over cooked rice. You can garnish with sesame seeds if desired
    Tried this recipe?Head down to the comments and give it a star rating!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 366kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 1723mg | Potassium: 788mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 214IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 4mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Nathan

      August 23, 2023 at 4:37 pm

      5 stars
      Beef and broccoli is one of my favorite comfort meals and it always hits the spot. This recipe was definitely no exception! So easy to make and turned out just perfect. Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
    2. Chenee

      August 23, 2023 at 5:40 pm

      5 stars
      Beef and broccoli is my absolute favorite takeout dish, but lately, it hasn't been as good from the restaurant down the street. I'm excited to try my hand at it and make it the way I like it myself!

      Reply
    3. Jess

      August 30, 2023 at 5:02 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of my family's new fave recipes. They requested that we have it again next week! AServed it on rice.

      Reply
    4. Casey

      September 03, 2023 at 5:41 pm

      5 stars
      I loved this! It was so flavorful and tasted much fresher than the takeout version. No mushy broccoli! Yum!

      Reply
    5. Casey

      September 08, 2023 at 2:22 pm

      5 stars
      This tasted just like the beef and broccoli from my favorite takeout spot. I'm definitely adding it into the monthly meal rotation!

      Reply
    6. Toni

      September 08, 2023 at 2:38 pm

      5 stars
      Such an amazing meal! Everyone at my house loved it!

      Reply
    7. Tayler

      September 10, 2023 at 2:16 pm

      5 stars
      I made this beef and broccoli for dinner last night and I can honestly say it was SO much better than takeout! Flavorful and easy to make too

      Reply
    8. dana

      September 11, 2023 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe! We've had it for dinner twice now and it's definitely going to be a regular in our rotation. Thank you!

      Reply
    9. Chenee

      September 25, 2023 at 2:22 pm

      5 stars
      Saw this on pinterest just before going to the grocery store so added it to our meal plan. So easy to make and definitely delicious! It was a winner in my house.

      Reply
    10. Whitney

      October 01, 2023 at 2:34 pm

      5 stars
      I do love a simple meal, especially beef and broccoli. The flavor is amazing!Have made this twice already.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kate! You Say Potatoes, I say, well, potatoes. I'm a cookbook author and journalist from the Pacific Northwest. Here you'll find easy, budget-friendly recipes made from scratch.

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