Beef and Broccoli is a savory, one-pan stir-fry that’s loaded with tender strips of steak and fresh, crisp broccoli!
You’ll be hooked from the first bite of this mouthwatering Beef and Broccoli! This amazing Asian stir-fry recipe serves steak strips and broccoli florets (over a bed of rice) and adds an addictive sauce of sesame oil, brown sugar, soy, garlic, ginger, and sriracha! So much flavor!
Better Than Chinese Takeout!
Don’t get me wrong—Chinese takeout is a favorite! But this homemade Beef and broccoli recipe is even better! This easy stir-fry is super quick, making it perfect for last-minute “What’s for dinner?” decisions! And unlike takeout, it’s budget-friendly.
Stir-fry can also be a great way to use leftovers or all those yummy garden veggies (like snap peas, bell peppers, carrots, and onions). Obviously, with colorful veggies and lean protein, it’s nutritious and delicious!
Other Recipes to Serve with Broccoli Stir-Fry
- This Edamame Snap Pea Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing is a tasty starter for any Asian-inspired dinner!
- Almond Butter Cookies are a “melt in your mouth” dessert following a healthy stir-fry dinner!
Ingredients
Beef: Thin cuts of flank steak cut against the grain make the BEST stir-fry, but other lean cuts of beef can also be used.
Veggies: Broccoli, broccoli, broccoli! Feel free to toss in onions, mushrooms, water chestnuts, or other slices of fresh garden veggies if you’d like!
Marinade: To marinate the steak, you’ll need low-sodium soy sauce, cornstarch, and baking soda. This will give it a fantastic flavor and “crispy edges” texture!
Stir-Fry Sauce: Separate from the marinade, this sauce of low-sodium soy sauce, light brown sugar, sesame oil, cornstarch, sriracha, grated garlic cloves, and grated ginger is added in during the cooking process for so much layered flavor!
Garnish: Sesame seeds make a great finishing garnish – black or white, toasted or untoasted – your call!
How to Make Beef and Broccoli
STEP ONE: In a large bowl, whisk together the water, low-sodium soy sauce, cornstarch, and baking soda to make the marinade.
STEP TWO: Add the steak strips to the bowl, toss until well-coated, and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
STEP THREE: When ready to cook, remove the steak from the refrigerator and set aside. In a smaller bowl, whisk together ALL the stir-fry sauce ingredients and set it aside for now.
STEP FOUR: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat with one tablespoon of oil. Add the broccoli florets and two tablespoons of water. Cover with a lid and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Add more water if needed for tenderness.) Remove the broccoli from the pan to a plate or bowl and set aside.
STEP FIVE: With the pan still on medium heat, add another tablespoon of oil and place some steak strips in the skillet in an even layer. Sear on one side, flip, and sear the other side. Cook in batches so as not to overcrowd the pan and allow the steak to sear properly. Each batch should only cook for 4-5 minutes. Repeat until all the beef is cooked, then set aside.
STEP SIX: Reduce the heat to low and add more oil. Add the beef back into the pan along with the stir-fry sauce prepared earlier. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly, and then stir in the broccoli. Heat until thoroughly warmed.
STEP SEVEN: Serve over a bed of rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Delicious!
Tips for Success
- Ginger has a very strong presence, so don’t overdo it! The 1/2 teaspoon is just right.
- Freeze the meat for 30 minutes or so to make cooking easier.
- Make sure the pan (or wok) is very hot before adding the strips of steak.
- Let the beef come to room temperature before cooking to keep the pan (or wok) hot while you cook.
- The sauce will be thick. To thin it, add a tablespoon or two of water near the end of cooking.
What Beef is Best for Stir Fry Beef & Broccoli?
Inexpensive and lean cuts of beef make the best stir fry! Flank steak, top round, or top sirloin are all well-suited for beef and broccoli, especially when the strips are cut against the grain to ensure each bite is tender and delicious. Make sure to allow the meat to come to room temperature before stir-fry cooking.
Can I Make Beef and Broccoli Ahead of Time?
It is super easy to prep Beef & Broccoli the morning of (or even the night before!) Slice the steak into strips (against the grain) and toss it into a plastic baggie with the marinade. Chop the heads of broccoli into bite-sized florets and place them in a separate bag (keeping the broccoli dry). Mix the stir-fry sauce ingredients and place in a sealed container. Store all these items in the refrigerator until 30 minutes to an hour before the time to cook. With the prep done, the stir-fry will come together in fewer than 20 minutes!
Other Spectacular Stir-Fry Recipes!
- Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Quick Shrimp Stir Fry
- Ramen Noodle Stir Fry
- Summer Veggie Udon Noodle Stir Fry
- Quinoa Chicken Stir Fry
Ingredients
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pound flank steak sliced into strip on the bias
Stir Fry Sauce
- ½ cup hot water
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon sriracha
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon fresh ginger peeled and grated
Stir Fry
- 2 heads broccoli cut into florets (about 4 cups)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divded
- 2 tablespoons water
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Whisk together the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Add the steak strips to a large bowl (or food storage bag) and pour the marinade over the steak. Toss to coat evenly. Marinade the steak for 1 hour in the fridge.
- Once the marinating time is up, remove the steak from the fridge, and set aside. Make the stir fry sauce by adding all ingredients in a medium bowl and whisking until well combined. Set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon of oil into a large skillet placed over medium heat, and add in broccoli florets. Add 2 tablespoons of water (be careful, because the oil may pop) and cover with a lid. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. You can add more water if needed to get the broccoli to your desired tenderness. Transfer the cooked broccoli to a bowl or plate and set aside.
- With the same skillet still on medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of oil. Place a single layer of the steak in the pan and sear for 2-3 minutes. Then flip and sear on the other side for another 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer the cooked steak to a plate and repeat with the remaining strips. You need to work in batches so the steak cooks quickly and gets a good sear. Overcrowding the pan will create too much moisture, and the steak will boil instead.
- Reduce the burner heat to low. Add all of the cooked steak back into the pan along with the stir fry sauce. Cook until the sauce has thickened slightly, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the broccoli and cook until warmed through. Serve the beef and broccoli over a bed of cooked white rice with extra sauce from the pan spooned over top.
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