If you love quick, delicious weeknight dinners, this Beef and Broccoli Recipe is about to become your new go-to favorite! With juicy strips of beef, crisp-tender broccoli, and a luscious savory-sweet sauce, it’s just like your favorite takeout but a whole lot better (and fresher!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Better Than Takeout: Satisfies all your cravings with fresh, vibrant ingredients—right at home!
- 30-Minute Dinner: This recipe comes together so quickly, making it absolutely perfect for busy nights.
- Family-Friendly Flavors: The savory-sweet, garlicky sauce is loved by both adults and kids (and picky eaters can’t resist those tender beef strips!).
- Easily Customizable: Toss in your favorite veggies or adjust the sauce to make it just how you like.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this classic Beef and Broccoli Recipe is how it transforms a handful of simple, everyday ingredients into a dish that absolutely dazzles. Each selection plays a starring role in creating perfect flavor, irresistible texture, and that classic glossy look you know and love.
- Flank steak: Choose this cut for tenderness and flavor; slice it thinly against the grain for melt-in-your-mouth results.
- Olive oil (or vegetable oil): Provides a neutral, non-smoking base for sautéing the beef and broccoli beautifully.
- Fresh broccoli florets: Go for firm, bright green broccoli for the freshest crunch and vibrant color on the plate.
- Fresh ginger: Grated ginger adds undeniable warmth and that essential aromatic zing to the sauce.
- Garlic: The backbone of the stir fry sauce, bringing out all the delicious savory complexity.
- Low sodium soy sauce (or GF Tamari): Delivers deep, savory notes without overpowering the dish. Low sodium helps keep the flavors balanced.
- Light brown sugar: Balances the salty and tangy elements of the sauce with gentle, caramel-like sweetness.
- Corn starch: This is the secret to the glossy, thick restaurant-style sauce that clings to every bite.
- Black pepper: Offers just the right kick to enhance the beefiness and the broccoli’s natural flavors.
- Sesame oil: Adds rich, toasty, nutty aroma—do not skip this finishing touch!
- Sesame seeds (optional): Sprinkle over the finished dish for an eye-catching, nutty garnish.
Variations
The best part about homemade stir fry is how fabulously adaptable it is. This Beef and Broccoli Recipe absolutely welcomes your unique twist—feel free to mix and match ingredients to fit what you have in the fridge or to tailor it for your family’s preferences.
- Swap the beef cut: Try top sirloin, top round, tri-tip, or even ribeye if you prefer a different cut or whatever’s on sale.
- Add extra veggies: Broccoli is classic, but snap peas, bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms all work beautifully here.
- Go gluten-free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and double check that the corn starch is gluten-free—easy swaps!
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil to transform this into a spicy sensation.
How to Make Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Rice and Beef
Start by cooking your rice first—it takes the longest, and you’ll want it ready to go when the stir fry finishes. Next, pop the flank steak in the freezer for about 30 minutes; this quick chilling trick makes it much easier to slice into thin, tender strips. Always slice against the grain for the best texture.
Step 2: Make the Savory Stir Fry Sauce
While your beef is chilling (and maybe the rice is bubbling away), stir together the sauce ingredients—soy sauce, brown sugar, hot water, ginger, garlic, corn starch, black pepper, and sesame oil—in a medium bowl. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is nice and smooth. Set it aside so it’s ready to go when you need that savory magic!
Step 3: Sauté the Broccoli
Add a tablespoon of oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in your broccoli florets and sauté for 4–5 minutes, partially covering the pan to lock in some steam. This helps the broccoli become bright green and crisp-tender. Prefer softer broccoli? Add a splash of water and cover the pan for extra steaming power. Remove the broccoli once just tender and keep it aside.
Step 4: Sear the Beef
Turn the heat up high, pour in the remaining oil, and add your sliced beef in a single layer. Sauté for about 2 minutes per side, just until each piece is browned and cooked through. Don’t overcrowd the pan—work in batches if you need so your beef stays juicy, not steamy!
Step 5: Simmer, Sauce, and Serve
Give your sauce a quick stir, then pour it into the pan with the beef. Lower the heat and let it bubble for 3–4 minutes—the corn starch will thicken it into a glossy dream. Return the broccoli to the skillet, tossing to coat everything evenly. Add a splash of water if you’d like a thinner sauce. Serve your piping hot Beef and Broccoli Recipe over that fluffy rice you made earlier, and sprinkle with sesame seeds if you’d like. Heaven!
Pro Tips for Making Beef and Broccoli Recipe
- Slice Beef Ultra-Thin: For impossibly tender bites, slice your steak as thin as you can—30 minutes in the freezer helps!
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Searing in batches ensures the beef browns beautifully instead of stewing (which means more flavor, less chew!).
- Glossy Sauce Every Time: Keep whisking as you add the sauce to avoid lumps and achieve that classic, luscious texture.
- Broccoli Texture Tip: Sauté for a crisp-tender bite, or add a splash of water for softer, steam-finished florets—the choice is yours.
How to Serve Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for a lovely crunch and a classic finish. If you want an extra pop of freshness, a scattering of thinly sliced scallions makes any bowl look restaurant-worthy. For heat lovers, a few curls of sliced red chili never go amiss.
Side Dishes
This Beef and Broccoli Recipe is truly a meal on its own, but serving it over fluffy steamed white rice, brown rice, or even warm jasmine rice really makes those saucy flavors shine. Want more on the table? Consider a side of veggie spring rolls or a refreshing cucumber salad for crunch and contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful twist, serve the beef and broccoli tucked into lettuce cups for a fresh, hand-held experience. You can also pile it into meal prep bowls alongside rice and extra veggies for easy on-the-go lunches. If you’re entertaining, offer it family-style on a large platter so everyone can help themselves!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Beef and Broccoli Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It keeps beautifully, and those flavors might be even more delicious the next day!
Freezing
You can freeze the finished beef and broccoli (without the rice) in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results—just know that the broccoli will be softer after freezing but still tasty!
Reheating
To reheat, simply pop leftovers into a skillet over medium heat and stir gently until hot, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce. The microwave works too—just cover to keep in the moisture and heat until steaming throughout.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
While fresh broccoli gives the crispiest, brightest results, you can use frozen florets if needed—just thaw and pat dry before cooking to prevent excess moisture, and know the texture will be a bit softer.
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What’s the best way to slice beef for this Beef and Broccoli Recipe?
The trick is to freeze your steak for about 30 minutes first, then slice thinly across the grain. This ensures each bite is beautifully tender and soaks up the sauce perfectly.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap the soy sauce for gluten-free tamari and confirm that your corn starch is gluten-free. The rest of the recipe is naturally gluten-free.
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How can I make the sauce spicier?
For a spicy kick, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes, a dash of chili oil, or add a sliced fresh chili right to the sauce. Adjust to taste—start mild and heat things up just the way you like.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something special about crafting your very own Beef and Broccoli Recipe at home—it’s cozy, deeply satisfying, and guaranteed to disappear fast. Give it a try this week and watch everyone rush to the table with big smiles. I can’t wait to hear how your family loves it!
Print
Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe
- Prep Time: 17 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
Enjoy a flavorful homemade Beef and Broccoli stir-fry with tender beef slices, crisp broccoli, and a savory sauce served over white rice. It’s a classic Chinese takeout favorite made easily at home!
Ingredients
Beef and Broccoli Ingredients:
- 1 lb flank steak*, very thinly sliced into bite-sized strips
- 2 Tbsp olive oil, (or vegetable oil), divided
- 1 lb fresh broccoli*, (cut into 6 cups of florets)
- 2 tsp sesame seeds, optional garnish
Stir Fry Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (loosely packed)
- 2 tsp garlic, grated (from 3 cloves)
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 6 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce, (or GF Tamari)
- 3 Tbsp packed light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp corn starch
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Prep: Start cooking white rice first so it’s ready when the stir fry is done. Cover and freeze steak 30 minutes for easier slicing, then thinly slice against the grain.
- Make the Sauce: Combine all stir fry sauce ingredients in a bowl, stir well to dissolve the sugar, and set aside.
- Cook Broccoli: Place a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 Tbsp oil. Add broccoli florets and sauté 4-5 minutes, partially covered with lid, stirring or tossing several times until broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender then remove from pan.
- Cook Beef: Increase heat to high heat and add 1 Tbsp oil. Add beef in a single layer and sauté 2 minutes per side or just until cooked through. Quickly pull out a piece to test for doneness. Add the sauce, reduce heat to medium/low and simmer 3-4 minutes. It will thicken. Add broccoli and stir to combine. Stir in 1-2 Tbsp water to thin the sauce if desired. Serve over white rice.
Notes
- Variations: More steak options include: Top Sirloin Steak, Top Round Steak, Tri-Tip Steak, or Ribeye
- Vegetables: for best results, use fresh vegetables, not frozen. You can substitute or add a variety of veggies such as snap peas, bell peppers, carrots, and even mushrooms.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
