Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This beef and broccoli stir-fry is fast, delicious, and healthier than restaurant versions. It comes together in just one pan with fresh ingredients and a homemade stir-fry sauce that’s full of umami. It’s also easy to customize with your favorite vegetables and serves wonderfully over rice or noodles. Ideal for weeknight meals, this dish is both comforting and nutritious.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Flank steak or sirloin (thinly sliced against the grain)
- Broccoli florets
- Garlic (minced)
- Fresh ginger (minced)
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Cornstarch
- Brown sugar or honey
- Sesame oil
- Vegetable oil (for cooking)
- Water or beef broth
- Green onions (optional, for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Directions
- In a bowl, mix sliced beef with cornstarch, a bit of soy sauce, and sesame oil. Let marinate for 10–15 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, prepare the sauce by combining soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar or honey, minced garlic, ginger, and water or broth. Stir well and set aside.
- Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
- Add broccoli florets and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Add another tablespoon of oil and stir-fry the marinated beef in batches for 2–3 minutes until browned and just cooked through.
- Return the broccoli to the skillet and pour in the sauce. Toss everything together and cook for another 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the beef and broccoli evenly.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Use chicken, shrimp, or tofu in place of beef for a different protein.
- Add bell peppers, snow peas, mushrooms, or carrots for extra color and nutrients.
- Substitute tamari for soy sauce to make it gluten-free.
- Use hoisin sauce instead of oyster sauce for a sweeter profile.
- Serve over cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over medium heat or microwave for 1–2 minutes until hot. Add a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed.
Freezing is not recommended, as the texture of the broccoli can become mushy.
FAQs
What cut of beef is best for stir-fry?
Flank steak, skirt steak, or sirloin are ideal for stir-fry due to their tenderness when sliced thin against the grain.
Do I need a wok to make this?
No, a large skillet works well. Just make sure it’s hot before adding the ingredients to get a good sear.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes, but for best results, thaw and pat dry before stir-frying to prevent excess moisture.
How do I tenderize the beef?
Marinating the beef with cornstarch and a bit of soy sauce helps tenderize it and improve texture during cooking.
Is oyster sauce necessary?
It adds depth and richness, but you can substitute hoisin sauce or additional soy sauce if needed.
Can I make this spicy?
Yes, add red pepper flakes, sliced chili peppers, or a splash of chili oil for heat.
What should I serve with beef and broccoli?
Steamed white or brown rice, fried rice, noodles, or even quinoa work well.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep the ingredients and sauce in advance, but for best texture, stir-fry just before serving.
Is this dish healthy?
Yes, it’s high in protein and fiber and can be made healthier with less oil and reduced-sodium soy sauce.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Cook the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure proper browning.
Conclusion
Beef and broccoli stir-fry is a flavorful, easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for busy nights and better than takeout. With its tender beef, crisp broccoli, and rich sauce, it hits all the right notes of savory, sweet, and satisfying. It’s a go-to recipe that the whole family will love — quick to make, easy to adapt, and always delicious.
PrintBeef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry is a quick and flavorful Asian-inspired dish made with tender slices of beef, crisp broccoli, and a savory, umami-packed sauce. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner and better than takeout!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking)
- 1/4 cup water or beef broth
- Optional: sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss sliced beef with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, and cornstarch. Let marinate for 10–15 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix remaining soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar (or honey), garlic, ginger, and water/broth. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Stir-fry broccoli for 2–3 minutes until vibrant. Remove and set aside.
- Add remaining oil and cook beef in batches for 2–3 minutes until browned.
- Return broccoli to the skillet and pour in the sauce. Stir-fry for another 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens and everything is well coated.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
Notes
- Slice beef thinly and against the grain for tenderness.
- Use tamari for a gluten-free version.
- Make it spicy by adding chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
- Works great with chicken or tofu as substitutes for beef.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
