Beef and broccoli is a quick, flavorful stir-fry with tender beef, crisp broccoli, and a rich, savory sauce. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for a simple homemade meal. Serve it over rice or noodles for a satisfying dinner!
Key Benefits
- Quick & Easy: This beef and broccoli stir-fry comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Better Than Takeout: Enjoy a rich, savory sauce infused with garlic, ginger, and oyster sauce, creating bold flavors without the extra oil or sodium.
- Tender & Juicy Beef: A simple marinade with soy sauce and cornstarch ensures the beef stays soft and flavorful.
- Nutritious & Balanced: Packed with protein and fiber, this dish is a wholesome meal when paired with rice or noodles.
- Versatile & Customizable: Adjust the sauce thickness, swap proteins, or add more veggies to suit your taste.
This dish is proof that homemade meals can be just as delicious as restaurant favorites—without the hassle!
Ingredients
Beef – Flank steak or sirloin is best for tenderness.
Broccoli – Fresh is preferred for crunch and color.
Vegetable oil – Essential for cooking without sticking.
Low-sodium soy sauce – Adds flavor with less salt.
Cornstarch – Used for marinating beef and thickening the sauce.
Oyster sauce – This adds savory depth to the dish.
Brown sugar – Balances the salty flavors.
Sesame oil – Adds a nutty richness.
Garlic – Fresh garlic provides bold flavor.
Fresh ginger – Adds a spicy kick.
Beef broth – This adds richness to the sauce.
Instructions
Marinate the Beef: Coat thinly sliced beef with soy sauce and cornstarch. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to tenderize.
Prepare the Sauce: Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, beef broth, garlic, and ginger. Set aside.
Cook the Broccoli: Sauté broccoli in vegetable oil for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender but still crunchy. Set aside.
Stir-Fry the Beef: Cook the marinated beef in vegetable oil for 2-3 minutes until browned and tender.
Combine the Beef, Broccoli, and Sauce: Add the broccoli back to the pan and pour in the sauce. Stir to coat.
Thicken the Sauce: Add a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce, cooking for 1-2 minutes.
Serve: Serve the beef and broccoli over rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds or green onions.
Pro Tips
Thinly Slice the Beef: For the best texture, slice the beef against the grain into thin strips. This helps tenderize the meat and ensures it cooks quickly and evenly. If you’re using a tougher cut, like flank steak, this will make a big difference in tenderness.
Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: Broccoli cooks quickly, and you want it to remain bright green with a bit of crunch. After sautéing it for 3-4 minutes, take it out of the pan. Overcooked broccoli can turn mushy and lose its vibrant color, which affects both taste and appearance.
Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let the beef marinate for at least 10-15 minutes. The cornstarch helps seal in the juices, while the soy sauce adds depth. For extra flavor, you can marinate the beef for up to an hour.
Use a High-Walled Pan or Wok: To keep the ingredients from splattering and to allow for even cooking, use a wok or a high-sided pan. These tools allow for easy tossing and stirring, helping the beef cook quickly without drying out.
Adjust the Sauce to Your Taste: Feel free to tweak the sauce to suit your preferences. Add a pinch of chili flakes for heat or more brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter sauce. If you like your sauce extra thick, add a little more cornstarch slurry at the end.
Leftovers: Beef and broccoli make fantastic leftovers! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When reheating, you may need to add a splash of water or beef broth to loosen the sauce.
With these tips, your beef and broccoli stir-fry will come out tender, flavorful, and perfectly balanced every time.
Variations
This beef and broccoli recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Here are some variations to try:
Swap the Protein: While beef is a classic choice, this recipe works beautifully with chicken or even tofu. Just adjust the cooking times depending on the protein you choose. For chicken, boneless skinless thighs or breasts work well, and for tofu, firm tofu that’s been pressed and cubed is ideal.
Add More Vegetables: If you want to boost the veggie content, feel free to add in other favorites like bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots. Simply stir-fry them along with the broccoli for a colorful, nutrient-packed dish.
Make It Spicy: Love a bit of heat? Add a teaspoon of chili paste or some red pepper flakes to the sauce. This will give your dish a fiery kick without overpowering the other flavors.
Serving Suggestions
Beef and broccoli is a complete meal on its own, but if you want to take it up a notch, here are some fantastic serving suggestions:
Serve with Rice: A classic pairing! Spoon this flavorful beef and broccoli over steamed white or brown rice for a satisfying, hearty meal. The rice will soak up the savory sauce, making every bite delicious.
Noodles for a Twist: For a fun variation, serve this stir-fry over noodles like lo mein, rice noodles, or even soba. The noodles will complement the sauce and add a bit of texture to the dish.
Cauliflower Rice for a Low-Carb Option: If you’re following a low-carb or keto diet, cauliflower rice is an excellent alternative. It’s light, fluffy, and absorbs the sauce just like regular rice, making it a great substitute.
FAQs
What is the secret of beef and broccoli?
The secret to making the perfect beef and broccoli lies in the sauce! A balance of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar or honey creates a rich, savory flavor that coats the tender beef and crisp broccoli. Additionally, marinating the beef and using a cornstarch slurry helps thicken the sauce and keep the beef tender.
Are beef and broccoli healthy?
Yes, beef and broccoli can be a very healthy dish! It’s packed with lean protein from the beef and vitamins from the broccoli, which is high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. If you want to make it even healthier, opt for lean cuts of beef, like sirloin, and serve it with a healthier side like cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
How do you thicken beef and broccoli?
To thicken the sauce, make a simple cornstarch slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch and water, then adding it to the stir-fry towards the end of cooking. This will create a glossy, thicker sauce that coats the beef and broccoli beautifully. Start with a tablespoon of cornstarch for a thicker sauce and adjust based on your preference.
Do you put onions in beef and broccoli?
While traditional beef and broccoli doesn’t always include onions, they can be a great addition! Sautéing onions with the beef will add extra sweetness and depth to the flavor. If you enjoy the taste of onions, feel free to slice and sauté them along with the beef for added texture and flavor.
beef and broccoli
Ingredients
For the Beef and Broccoli:
- 1 lb beef flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water slurry
Instructions
Marinate the Beef
- Start by marinating the thinly sliced beef in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Toss the beef until it’s evenly coated. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. This simple marinade will help tenderize the beef and create that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Prepare the Sauce
- While the beef marinates, mix the sauce. In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and ½ cup beef broth. Stir in the garlic and fresh ginger for a bold, aromatic base. Set the sauce aside.
Cook the Broccoli
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and sauté them for about 3-4 minutes until they turn bright green and are slightly tender. Be careful not to overcook them—they should still have a bit of crunch. Once done, remove the broccoli from the pan and set it aside.
Stir-Fry the Beef
- In the same pan, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until the beef is browned and cooked through. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s beautifully seared but still tender.
Combine the Beef, Broccoli, and Sauce
- Once the beef is cooked, return the broccoli to the pan. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and broccoli. Stir everything together until it’s well coated.
Thicken the Sauce
- To thicken the sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Slowly add this to the pan while stirring. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and become silky.
Serve
- Once the sauce has thickened and everything is well combined, serve your beef and broccoli over a bed of rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds or green onions for extra flavor and color.