Fantastic Beef and Broccoli Recipe for Busy Weeknights

Weeknight dinners demand quick and satisfying solutions that deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.

This speedy beef and broccoli recipe brings restaurant-quality taste straight to your kitchen with surprising ease.

Tender strips of beef sizzle alongside crisp broccoli florets in a savory sauce that promises to become a new family favorite.

The magic happens when marinated beef meets high heat, creating those perfect caramelized edges that make every bite irresistible.

Packed with protein and vibrant vegetables, this dish comes together faster than ordering takeout.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of umami-rich meat and fresh, green crunch.

Prepare to transform your typical dinner routine with this simple yet impressive meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 4

What Goes into Beef and Broccoli

• Soy Sauce: Provides deep, salty umami flavor that enhances the entire dish's richness.
• Brown Sugar: Balances the saltiness with a subtle caramel-like sweetness and helps create glossy sauce.
• Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent to create smooth, clingy sauce texture.
• Oyster Sauce: Adds complex, savory depth with a hint of maritime richness.
• Beef Broth: Intensifies the meaty flavor and helps create a silky sauce consistency.
• Sesame Oil: Contributes nutty, aromatic undertones that elevate the entire dish.

• Garlic: Brings pungent, sharp flavor that forms the foundational taste profile.
• Ginger: Adds warm, zesty notes that complement the beef's richness.

• Beef: Choose tender cuts like sirloin or flank steak with good marbling for maximum juiciness.
• Broccoli: Select fresh, vibrant green florets with tight, firm clusters for perfect crisp-tender texture.
• Cooking Oil: Use high smoke-point oils like vegetable or canola for even, consistent searing.

Wok Tools You’ll Want for Beef and Broccoli

• Large Skillet or Wok: Essential for stir-frying beef and broccoli with high heat and even cooking.
• Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking together sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending sauce components without lumps.
• Cutting Board: Needed for slicing beef and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Required for precise meat and ingredient cutting.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Help ensure accurate ingredient proportions.

How to Make Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

• Whip Up the Magic Sauce

Grab a bowl and blend soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, oyster sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, beef broth, and a splash of sesame oil. Let this flavor powerhouse sit and mingle while you cook.

• Sizzle the Green Goodness

Heat a skillet or wok and add a glug of oil. Toss in broccoli and a quick splash of water. Dance those florets around for a few minutes until they’re bright green and crisp. Scoop them out and set aside.

• Brown the Beef

In the same sizzling pan, add another drizzle of oil. Spread beef slices in a single layer and let them get golden and delicious, flipping once to ensure perfect color.

• Bring It All Together

Slide the broccoli back into the pan with the beef. Pour that dreamy sauce over everything and stir gently, coating each morsel with rich, glossy goodness.

• Final Flavor Fusion

Let everything bubble and dance for a couple minutes until the sauce transforms into a thick, clingy coating that hugs the beef and broccoli.

• Serve and Devour

Pile this mouthwatering creation over steaming rice and get ready for a flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds sing.

Tips for Perfect Texture and Sauce

• Let beef sit in half the sauce for 15-30 minutes before cooking to tenderize and deepen flavors.
• Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce for those who enjoy extra heat in their stir-fry.
• Replace rice with cauliflower rice or serve over zucchini noodles for a lighter, keto-friendly version.
• Substitute beef with chicken, tofu, or shrimp for different protein variations that work perfectly with the same delicious sauce.
• Add sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, or snap peas to increase vegetable content and create more texture in the dish.

Serving Beef and Broccoli Restaurant Style

• Comfort Food Companion: Pair with fluffy steamed white rice to soak up the delicious sauce, creating a complete and satisfying meal.
• Asian-Inspired Garnish: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions on top for added texture, color, and a fresh flavor boost.
• Spice Lover's Twist: Drizzle sriracha or chili oil over the dish for those who enjoy an extra kick of heat and want to elevate the flavor profile.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve in a large communal platter, allowing everyone to help themselves and enjoy the sizzling beef and broccoli together.

Saving and Reheating Beef and Broccoli

• Slice beef and chop broccoli in advance, storing separately in airtight containers for quick weeknight cooking.
• Store leftover beef and broccoli in sealed containers for up to 3-4 days, maintaining best flavor and texture when reheated gently.
• Freeze uncooked marinated beef and blanched broccoli in zip-lock bags for convenient future meal preparation, lasting up to 2 months.
• Warm refrigerated leftovers in a skillet with a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent drying, ensuring the beef remains tender and sauce stays glossy.

Speedy Beef and Broccoli Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Comforting beef and broccoli delivers a classic Chinese-American favorite that sings with savory, tender steak and crisp green florets. Soy-glazed slices mingle with steamed broccoli, creating a quick, satisfying meal you can easily master at home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
• 4 cups (960 ml) fresh broccoli florets
• ½ cup (120 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
• ½ cup (120 ml) beef broth or water
• ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) vegetable oil, divided
• 2 tbsps (16 g) cornstarch
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil (optional)
• 1 tbsp (6 g) grated fresh ginger (or ½ tsp ground)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Cooked white rice, for serving

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Whisk soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, beef broth, and sesame oil in a mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated, creating a flavor-packed marinade.
2. Vegetable Searing: Heat oil in a large wok, toss broccoli with a splash of water, and quickly stir-fry until vibrant green and crisp-tender, then transfer to a temporary plate.
3. Protein Caramelization: Introduce beef slices into the hot pan, allowing each piece to develop a rich, golden-brown exterior through precise searing, ensuring maximum flavor development.
4. Fusion and Finishing: Reintroduce broccoli to the pan, drench with prepared sauce, and gently simmer, allowing the liquid to transform into a glossy, clinging glaze that enrobes both protein and vegetable.
5. Plating: Transfer the aromatic beef and broccoli mixture onto a bed of steamed rice, ensuring each serving captures the dynamic blend of textures and robust Asian-inspired flavors.

Notes

• Cut beef against the grain into thin, even slices for maximum tenderness and quicker cooking.
• Whisk cornstarch thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure smooth, glossy sauce that coats ingredients perfectly.
• Use screaming hot wok or skillet to achieve proper caramelization and prevent beef from becoming tough or rubbery.
• Stir-fry broccoli briefly to maintain vibrant green color and crisp-tender texture, avoiding mushy vegetables.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg