Beef and broccoli stir fry is a classic Chinese-American dish that is delicious, savory, and saucy. Tender and juicy beef is stir-fried with broccoli, smothered in a delicious velvety signature sauce packed with Asian flavors, and seasoned with fresh garlic and ginger. This hearty meal is total comfort food that is so much better and faster than ordering takeout. It's an easy weeknight family dinner that you can make in just 25 minutes.
Why You’ll Love Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Super quick and easy. This stir-fry takes just 10 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to cook. It takes faster to make this than to order takeout and wait for your delivery to arrive. Plus, with a recipe this easy, it's perfect for beginner home cooks and advanced cooks alike.
- Better than takeout. With a home cooked recipe, you can feel good about knowing exactly what ingredients are going into your meals. Most Chinese beef and broccoli dishes that you order from a restaurant will contain MSG and sugar. Here, there is no MSG or sugar, plus you can opt for high-quality ingredients if you desire.
- Packed with nutrients. Broccoli is an excellent source of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals (like iron, potassium, magnesium, and calcium). And the beef ensures you're getting all your meat-based protein too. This is a meal you will feel good about feeding to your family.
Ingredients
To make this easy and delicious beef and broccoli stir fry, you will need the following ingredients:
- beef - the beef is thinly sliced into 1-inch slices. I would recommend using beef flank steak or top sirloin steak.
- beef marinade - marinade the beef with a rub made out of ground black pepper, soy sauce, Shaoxing cooking wine (or mirin), cornstarch (or all-purpose flour), and olive oil.
- garlic
- ginger
- soy sauce
- vinegar
- sugar
- cornstarch - this thickens up the sauce. You can also replace it with all-purpose flour if you don't have any cornstarch on hand.
- sesame oil - this is optional but really takes the sauce to another level in terms of flavor. I highly recommend using sesame oil.
- olive oil - for the stir fry. You can replace this with any vegetable oil as well.
- broccoli florets
- white sesame seeds - to garnish on top when serving.
You will also need mixing bowls, measuring spoons, and a large wok or skillet (I used my cast-iron skillet).
How to Make the Best Chinese Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Marinate the beef. In a medium mixing bowl, combine beef with pepper, soy sauce, cooking wine, cornstarch and oil until evenly coated. Set the beef aside, allowing it to marinate for at least 10 minutes.
- Stir fry the beef. Heat oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes until the hot oil sizzles. Add in the marinated beef and stir fry until nicely browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and ginger. Sauté together until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer the beef mixture to a plate.
- Make the sauce. In another bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until the sugar and cornstarch is fully dissolved. Set aside.
- Cook the broccoli. In the same skillet over medium-high heat, add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, broccoli and the sauce mixture. Cover the lid and let the broccoli simmer in the sauce until tender, about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. The broccoli should be crunchy tender but still green.
- Assemble the stir fry. Return the beef to the skillet and stir well to combine. Cook for another minute until evenly coated with thickened sauce. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and serve immediately with steamed rice or fried rice.
Storing Instructions
- How to store: Beef and broccoli stir-fry can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in a covered pot or airtight container. It can also be frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag to extend its shelf life by 3 months.
- How to reheat: Reheat any leftovers by heating some oil into a large wok or skillet on medium heat, and stir-frying for about 5 minutes until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat the dish in the microwave in 20-second increments until warmed through.
More Better than Takeout Recipes
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Spring Vegetable Stir Fry
- Shrimp Fried Rice
- General Tso's Chicken
- Healthy Lemon Chicken
- Baked Sesame Chicken
- Shanghai Style Fried Noodles
- Chicken Pad Thai
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Recipe
Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Beef and broccoli stir fry is a classic Chinese-American dish that is delicious, savory, hearty, and saucy. Better than takeout and ready in 25 minutes.
Ingredients
For the beef:
- 1 pound beef flank steak or top sirloin steak, cut into thin 1-inch slices
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine (or mirin)
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, thinly sliced
For the sauce:
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon vinegar
- ½ tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
For the stir fry:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cups small broccoli florets
- 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine beef with pepper, soy sauce, cooking wine, cornstarch and oil until evenly coated. Set the beef aside, allowing it to marinate for at least 10 minutes.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes until the hot oil sizzles. Add in the marinated beef and stir fry until nicely browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and ginger. Sauté together until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer the beef mixture to a plate.
- In another bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until the sugar and cornstarch is fully dissolved. Set aside.
- In the same skillet over medium-high heat, add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, broccoli and the sauce mixture. Cover the lid and let the broccoli simmer in the sauce until tender, about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. The broccoli should be crunchy tender but still green.
- Return the beef to the skillet and stir well to combine. Cook for another minute until evenly coated with thickened sauce.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and serve immediately with steamed rice.
Notes
How to store: Beef and broccoli stir-fry can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in a covered pot or airtight container. It can also be frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag to extend its shelf life by 3 months.
How to reheat: Reheat any leftovers by heating some oil into a large wok or skillet on medium heat, and stir-frying for about 5 minutes until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat the dish in the microwave in 20-second increments until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Beef
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
Hailie says
Beef tastes great, would recommend adding a bit of water to the sauce otherwise there isn’t much of a sauce.