Beef and broccoli

Every body finds pleasure in the traditional beef and broccoli stir-fry experience. If you have ever wanted to experience tender beef together with crunchy broccoli florets and a delicious garlicky sauce which surpasses delivery quality then this is the right dish for you. From basic ingredients you can make this homemade version which replicates standard beef and broccoli stir-fry alongside its thirty-minute preparation time.

This recipe provides a solution for every stir-fry situation including quick weeknight dinners and healthy meal prep and also stands as a different way to prepare stir-fry. Perfect restaurant results of juicy beef and vibrant broccoli alongside a thickened sauce sticking to each bite become achievable through proper cooking techniques. Let’s get cooking!

If you’re craving something just as hearty but with a Mexican twist, check out our Beef Enchiladas—a cheesy, flavor-packed dish perfect for dinner!

Ingredients

To make this flavor-packed beef and broccoli, you’ll need simple, wholesome ingredients that come together for a savory, restaurant-quality dish. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Beef:

• 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain (sirloin or ribeye works too)
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (helps tenderize the beef and thicken the sauce)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (adds umami flavor)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil (enhances richness)

For the Sauce:

• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce (base of the sauce)
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce (adds depth and mild sweetness)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey (balances flavors)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar (adds a touch of acidity)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (thickens the sauce)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (for bold aroma and flavor)
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (adds warmth and zest)
• 1/4 cup water or beef broth (helps create a silky sauce)
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a mild kick)

For the Stir-Fry:

• 3 cups broccoli florets (vibrant and crisp-tender)
• 2 tbsp neutral oil (such as avocado or vegetable oil)
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds, for finishing touch

Why These Ingredients?

• Using flank steak ensures tender, juicy bites when sliced properly.
• Cornstarch helps create a glossy, thick sauce while also keeping the beef tender.
• Oyster sauce and sesame oil add that signature takeout-style depth.
• Fresh garlic and ginger elevate the dish with aromatic warmth.

Now that we’ve got everything ready, let’s move on to making this quick and delicious stir-fry!

If you love hearty, comforting beef dishes, you might also enjoy this Easy Beef Stew—a rich and flavorful recipe perfect for cozy meals!

How to Make Beef and Broccoli

The simple recipe for beef and broccoli stir-fry requires only few easy preparation steps. A homemade version that surpasses takeout with its flavor and freshness results following this recipe.

1. Prepare the Beef

To maintain tenderness in the beef you should cut it thinly following the grain direction. The meat strips should measure 1/4 inch in width.

The combination of beef strips and cornstarch together with soy sauce and sesame oil receives a mix in a bowl. Keep the beef submerged in the sauce for a minimum of 10 minutes during your preparation of the other fixings. The beef develops a velvety texture and retains its moisture as it marinates with cornstarch for at least 10 minutes.

This resource details the regulatory status of various food additives, including cornstarch.

2. Make the Sauce

A small mixing bowl contains the ingredients of soy sauce with oyster sauce and brown sugar, rice vinegar and cornstarch, garlic along with ginger root powder and water (or beef broth).

The prepared sauce should be set aside because it will function as the finishing agent to turn the beef and broccoli into their glossy delicious state.

3. Cook the Beef

A large skillet with 1 tablespoon of oil set over medium-high heat will become ready to use.

Place the beef pieces in a single layer before sautéing them for 1-2 minutes on each side until the outside becomes brown. Perform the cooking process in smaller batches since overcrowding should be avoided.

Place the cooked beef on a different plate before continuing with the next step.

4. Stir-Fry the Broccoli

Use a new tablespoon of oil to cook the broccoli in the skillet.

The broccoli requires 2 to 3 minutes of stir-frying until it reaches brilliant green and a slightly tender state. After adding water to the pan cover it with the lid to steam the broccoli for an additional minute until it reaches the crisp-tender stage.

5. Bring It All Together

Place the beef back into the pan after which you should add the ready-made sauce.

Let the mixture rest while the sauce becomes thick and covers every item in the pan during 1-2 minutes.

When the sauce turns smooth in consistency while the beef becomes hot the pan needs to be removed from heat.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Set the meal off with final touches by garnishing it with green onions along with sesame seeds.

Serve this meal directly to a plate with steamed rice or noodles as the perfect side dish.

A quick and simple beef and broccoli recipe provides an ideal weeknight dinner that also impresses family gatherings or dinner guests. The method has been learned so now we will examine advanced methods to increase your beef and broccoli recipe options.

Pro Tips for the Best Beef and Broccoli

✅ Choose the Right Cut of Beef

Flank steak, sirloin, or ribeye work best for this dish. The beef becomes more tender due to proper slicing against the meat grain.

✅ Velveting for Extra Tenderness

A brief mixture of cornstarch and soy sauce applied to the beef ensures that it cooks to a juicy and authentic stir-fry texture.

✅ Use High Heat for a Quick Sear

The beef receives both internal tenderness and flavorful exterior sear because of high-temperature wok or skillet cooking.

✅ Don’t Overcook the Broccoli

To preserve fresh broccoli color together with a light crunch allow the stir frying process to stop when the vegetables become crisp-tender. The brief steam process will make the beef more manageable but it will stay firm.

✅ Balance the Sauce

To achieve extra sweetness in the sauce increase the amounts of brown sugar or honey according to personal preference. The rich umami flavor gets stronger when you add fish sauce or hoisin sauce to your dish.

For another delicious way to cook tender beef, check out our Beef Stroganoff recipe, which features a rich, creamy sauce.

Tasty Variations to Try

Spicy Beef and Broccoli

The addition of 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes combined with drizzling sriracha sauce will introduce a spicy kick to your dish.

➡ Low-Carb Option

Brown sugar can be replaced with a sugar substitute along with cauliflower rice as an alternative base to make this meal suitable for a ketogenic diet.

➡ Gluten-Free Version

Use tamari sauce as a replacement for soy sauce while confirming you use gluten-free oyster sauce.

➡ Extra Veggies for More Flavor

You can enrich the dish with snap peas combined with bell peppers alongside carrots to add visual appeal and texture.

➡ Soy-Free Alternative

Coconut aminos provide a natural combination of savory flavor along with sweetness as an alternative choice instead of soy sauce.

Any way you modify this homemade beef and broccoli version it becomes a dining success with family and friends. The reason this recipe should become a regular part of your meals will be our topic for this section.

Conclusion

The final result is beef and broccoli that matches the flavor of your best restaurant takeout yet originates from your own kitchen. A minimal set of ingredients and short preparation will give you a dish suitable for everyday use while remaining appropriate for special dinners.

Beef and broccoli

Chef Nancy

Learn how to make delicious beef and broccoli in just 30 minutes with this easy stir-fry recipe. Perfect for a quick, healthy, and flavorful dinner!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Asian, Chinese

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• To make this flavor-packed beef and broccoli you’ll need simple, wholesome ingredients that come together for a savory, restaurant-quality dish. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Beef:

• 1 lb flank steak thinly sliced against the grain (sirloin or ribeye works too)
• 2 tbsp cornstarch helps tenderize the beef and thicken the sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce adds umami flavor
• 1 tbsp sesame oil enhances richness

For the Sauce:

• ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce base of the sauce
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce adds depth and mild sweetness
• 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey balances flavors
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar adds a touch of acidity
• 1 tbsp cornstarch thickens the sauce
• 3 cloves garlic minced (for bold aroma and flavor)
• 1 tsp fresh ginger grated (adds warmth and zest)
• ¼ cup water or beef broth helps create a silky sauce
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a mild kick

For the Stir-Fry:

• 3 cups broccoli florets vibrant and crisp-tender
• 2 tbsp neutral oil such as avocado or vegetable oil
• 2 green onions sliced (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds for finishing touch

Why These Ingredients?

• Using flank steak ensures tender juicy bites when sliced properly.
• Cornstarch helps create a glossy thick sauce while also keeping the beef tender.
• Oyster sauce and sesame oil add that signature takeout-style depth.
• Fresh garlic and ginger elevate the dish with aromatic warmth.
• Now that we’ve got everything ready let’s move on to making this quick and delicious stir-fry!

Instructions

 

How to Make Beef and Broccoli

• The simple recipe for beef and broccoli stir-fry requires only few easy preparation steps. A homemade version that surpasses takeout with its flavor and freshness results following this recipe.

Prepare the Beef

• To maintain tenderness in the beef you should cut it thinly following the grain direction. The meat strips should measure 1/4 inch in width.
• The combination of beef strips and cornstarch together with soy sauce and sesame oil receives a mix in a bowl. Keep the beef submerged in the sauce for a minimum of 10 minutes during your preparation of the other fixings. The beef develops a velvety texture and retains its moisture as it marinates with cornstarch for at least 10 minutes.

Make the Sauce

• A small mixing bowl contains the ingredients of soy sauce with oyster sauce and brown sugar, rice vinegar and cornstarch, garlic along with ginger root powder and water (or beef broth).
• The prepared sauce should be set aside because it will function as the finishing agent to turn the beef and broccoli into their glossy delicious state.

Cook the Beef

• A large skillet with 1 tablespoon of oil set over medium-high heat will become ready to use.
• Place the beef pieces in a single layer before sautéing them for 1-2 minutes on each side until the outside becomes brown. Perform the cooking process in smaller batches since overcrowding should be avoided.
• Place the cooked beef on a different plate before continuing with the next step.

Stir-Fry the Broccoli

• Use a new tablespoon of oil to cook the broccoli in the skillet.
• The broccoli requires 2 to 3 minutes of stir-frying until it reaches brilliant green and a slightly tender state. After adding water to the pan cover it with the lid to steam the broccoli for an additional minute until it reaches the crisp-tender stage.

Bring It All Together

• Place the beef back into the pan after which you should add the ready-made sauce.
• Let the mixture rest while the sauce becomes thick and covers every item in the pan during 1-2 minutes.
• When the sauce turns smooth in consistency while the beef becomes hot the pan needs to be removed from heat.

Serve and Enjoy

• Set the meal off with final touches by garnishing it with green onions along with sesame seeds.
• Serve this meal directly to a plate with steamed rice or noodles as the perfect side dish.
• A quick and simple beef and broccoli recipe provides an ideal weeknight dinner that also impresses family gatherings or dinner guests. The method has been learned so now we will examine advanced methods to increase your beef and broccoli recipe options.

Keyword Beef and Broccoli, Beef Stir-Fry, Healthy Meal, Quick Dinner

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