Beef and Broccoli Recipe (2024)

23 minutes

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4.85 from 32 votes

by Lisa Longley

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posted: 01/19/23

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Jump to Recipe

by Lisa Longley

|

posted: 01/19/23

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Jump to Recipe

This easy Beef and Broccoli recipe is made on the stovetop and is done in under 25 minutes. Your family will love this simple and easy recipe.

Beef and Broccoli Recipe (2)
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!

I don’t know if I can think about broccoli at all – for the rest of time – without remembering the time I convinced my daughter (age 2 at the time) to think of her broccoli as zebras running for their lives from a lion.

She was the lion.

She literally started growling at her broccoli and devoured every last piece.

Now she eats broccoli without morphing into a predator. And she absolutely loved this Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry. She devoured it. Like a lion.

This easy skillet dinner is going to become a huge win in your house too. My favorite part about it is that it is done in just under 25 minutes! It will make you feel like no matter how busy your life is, you can create a warm home cooked meal for the family.

Reader Review

I have made this a couple or more times. It’s easy & quick to prepare. I like this for a quick meal. It will be my go to recipe.

How to Make Beef and Broccoli

This fast dinner comes together in a skillet right on the stove top. This is a brief overview of the recipe. For the full recipe, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  1. Cook the beef. Heat the oil in the skillet and then add the thinly cut flat iron steak. Just stir it occasionally and cook it until it is no longer pink, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  2. Make the sauce. I like to whisk together the sauce for this recipe while the beef is cooking. It cuts a little of the prep time on this recipe.
  3. Cook the broccoli. Remove the beef from the skillet. Add in the chopped broccoli. You may need to add a little more oil to the skillet if the broccoli starts to brown too quickly.
  4. Combine everything. After the broccoli is tender, about four minutes, add the beef back in and then add in the sauce. You are going to cook just until the sauce thickens up, about two to three minutes. Serve over rice and enjoy.
Beef and Broccoli Recipe (3)

Which Cut of Beef to Use for Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

In this recipe we are using Flat Iron Steak because of how tender and well marbled it is. By using this cut of meat, we are able to skip marinading it, cutting down on the time necessary for this recipe. This cut of meat is best when it is sliced thin and cooked to medium, so be careful not to over cook it.

If you are unable to find Flat Iron, you could also use skirt steak or flank steak in this recipe. In that case you will want to marinate the beef for at least six hours. Duplicate the sauce for this recipe and use that as a marinade. Remove the beef before cooking, and discard the marinade.

Budget Friendly Beef and Broccoli

If you love this recipe but Flat Iron Steak just isn’t in the budget for you, you can make this great recipe with ground beef. It is still a fast, easy, and delicious dinner that your family will fall in love with.

Ground Beef and Broccoli

Ground Beef and Broccoli is the perfect easy dinner recipe. Your family will love this simple weeknight dinner.

view recipe

A Note About Soy Sauce

Salt is that great ingredient that can pull an entire recipe together. But over do it and you have something you can’t even eat.

The same thing goes for soy sauce, the base of the beef and broccoli sauce. Because of that, you want to use a low sodium soy sauce.

If that is not something you have on hand, no need to worry, just replace some of the regular soy sauce with water.

Replace the 1/2 cup of low sodium sauce with 1/3 cup regular soy sauce + 2 2/3 tablespoons water. In other words, fill up a 1 cup class measuring cup with soy sauce to the 1/3 mark and then fill it up to 1/2 cup mark with water.

Beef and Broccoli Recipe (5)

Making this Low Carb

If you are eating low carb, this dinner is a great option! But you will definitely want to replace the rice with my Cauliflower Rice. Cauliflower Rice is a great alternative to rice as long as you understand that it doesn’t taste just like rice. In this recipe, the sauce is so amazing that you will love this easy healthy swap.

Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower Rice is the perfect way to take your favorite dinners and make them into a lower-carb option. Easy to make and very filling, you will come back to this healthy option over and over again.

view recipe

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Leftovers should be stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. As with all recipes, use your best discretion when it comes to leftovers.

To reheat, take out the portion that you want to eat, and reheat on the stove top over low heat until warmed through. Alternatively, place in a microwave safe container, covered, and heat on half power for 2 to 4 minutes.

FAQ

What cut of beef is best for Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry?

Flat Iron Steak. The reason for this is because it is very tender and doesn’t require marinating. For best results slice the meat thin, and cook it only to medium. You can read more about this above.

Can I use a soy sauce replacement?

Yes, if you have a soy allergy, or use a soy replacement, you can use that in this recipe, but you will want to cut the amount to 1/3 cup and replace the rest of the amount called for with water.

Does beef and broccoli have gluten?

Soy sauce contains gluten, and therefore this recipe is not gluten free.

Beef and Broccoli Recipe (7)

Other Great Skillet Dinners

I’m on a skillet dinner kick lately, and if you want to join the party, try some of these great recipes:

  • Chicken Teriyaki
  • Ham Fried Rice
  • Sticky Chicken

If you like this easy beef and broccoli recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know!

Beef and Broccoli Recipe (8)

4.85 from 32 votes

Easy Beef and Broccoli

Serves: 4 servings

(tap # to scale)

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 13 minutes

Total: 23 minutes

This easy Beef and Broccoli recipe is made on the stovetop and is done in under 30 minutes. Your family will love this simple and easy recipe.

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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound flat iron steak sliced thin (read here why we use flat iron)
  • 1 head of broccoli cut into florets approximately 4 cups
  • 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce see note 1
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1 – 2 teaspoons chili paste (we normally buy this) see note 2
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the beef and cook until no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Remove it from the pan.

  • While the beef is cooking, whisk together the soy sauce, corn starch, brown sguar, ginger, garlic, chili paste, and red pepper flakes.

  • Add the broccoli and sauté until tender, about 4 minutes. Add more oil as needed so the broccoli does not burn.

  • Return the meat to the pan, and stir in the sauce. Cook until the sauce has thickened, about three minutes. Serve with rice.

Notes

  1. If you don’t have low sodium soy sauce on hand, use 1/3 cup soy sauce and the rest water to make 1/2 cup total liquid.
  2. If you like your dishes spicy, make sure to add two teaspoons of chili paste. Just 1 teaspoon will give it just a small, nice little kick.
  3. Please note that the nutritional information does not include the rice.

Calories: 364kcal (18%) Carbohydrates: 12g (4%) Protein: 24g (48%) Fat: 23g (35%) Saturated Fat: 9g (56%) Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 81mg (27%) Sodium: 1439mg (63%) Potassium: 296mg (8%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 3g (3%) Vitamin A: 28IU (1%) Vitamin C: 82mg (99%) Calcium: 47mg (5%) Iron: 16mg (89%)

Author: Lisa Longley

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: asian

Beef and Broccoli Recipe (9)

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Easy Beef and Broccoli

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

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Beef and Broccoli Recipe (14)

Beef and Broccoli Recipe (15)

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Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

Reader Interactions

    LEAVE A COMMENT

  1. LuAnn says

    Can this be made with chicken instead? If so, how much? Shredded? Chopped?! It does look super delicious and can’t wait me to try it. Thanks for sharing,.

    Reply

    • Beef and Broccoli Recipe (17)Lisa Longley says

      Yes! Just be sure not to overcook the chicken. I would slice chicken breasts thin and sauté them just as you would the beef, but again, make sure not to cook them too long.

      Reply

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Beef and Broccoli Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Chinese beef and broccoli sauce made of? ›

Make the sauce mixture by mixing together the chicken stock, sugar, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper. Set aside. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil and blanch your broccoli for 30 to 60 seconds (depending on whether you like your broccoli crunchy or a little soft).

What sauce is beef and broccoli made of? ›

This savory stir fry sauce is the best you'll ever try! The base of the sauce is a combination of beef broth with a hint of chicken broth, which adds depth of flavor. Soy sauce adds umami, and a combination of brown sugar and honey adds a subtle, sweet offset to the savory flavors.

What to do if beef broccoli is too salty? ›

Add Acid to Your Dish

The sour flavor provides a new layer of complexity to the meal and should mellow out the salt. Drizzle in a mild vinegar like all-purpose vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar to help mask the salt with acidity by distracting the taste buds.

What is beef and broccoli made of? ›

Beef & broccoli is an American dish consisting of pieces of flank steak that are stir-fried with broccoli and seasoned with a Chinese-style sauce made with oyster sauce, soy sauce, and cornstarch.

What sauce do Chinese restaurants use? ›

Soy sauce has been used in Chinese cooking for over 1,000 years. This classic dipping sauce is a staple in Chinese restaurants, as it is served with dim sum dishes and is used together with vinegar, ginger, and chili oil.

What is the brown sauce Chinese restaurants use? ›

What Is Chinese Brown Sauce? A Chinese brown sauce is a popular flavorful sauce in every Chinese takeout. The main ingredients are soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, sometimes oyster sauce, and a meat-based broth. You'll find variations with beef broth or chicken broth.

What can you replace oyster sauce with? ›

What Are Some Good Oyster Sauce Substitutes?
  • Fish Sauce. Fish sauce makes a great substitute because of the flavor backbone similarities. ...
  • Hoisin Sauce. ...
  • Soy Sauce. ...
  • Teriyaki Sauce. ...
  • Black Bean Paste. ...
  • Kecap Manis (Sweet Soy Sauce) ...
  • Mushroom Broth. ...
  • Worcestershire Sauce with Soy Sauce and Sugar.

How healthy is Chinese beef and broccoli? ›

Beef and broccoli is a simple dish of stir-fried beef and broccoli tossed in a light sauce. It's a relatively healthy dish that's low in carbs and high in protein. However, it's often made with fatty cuts of beef. One cup (217 grams) contains 336 calories, 23 grams of fat, and 23 grams of protein ( 5 ).

What is hoisin sauce used for? ›

Hoisin sauce is a thick, fragrant sauce commonly used in Cantonese cuisine as a glaze for meat, an addition to stir fry, or as dipping sauce. It is dark-coloured in appearance and sweet and salty in taste. Although regional variants exist, hoisin sauce usually includes soybeans, fennel, red chili peppers, and garlic.

Do you salt broccoli before or after cooking? ›

You want there to be salt in the pan while the broccoli is cooking. This will make it so much more flavorful. Cover the pan and wait about three to five minutes. Check the broccoli at this point to see if it's cooked to your liking.

Do you rinse salt off steak before cooking? ›

Do not "rinse" the salt off! If you want to brush excess salt off, that's fine, but by rinsing off using water (which is what I think you are talking about), you will essentially end up steaming your steak, which is disgusting. Even if you pat dry with a paper towel, the surface will still be damp after rinsing.

Should I add salt when boiling broccoli? ›

Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Add a tablespoon of salt and then add the broccoli and cook until just crisp-tender, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the broccoli. Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately add to the ice water to stop the cooking process.

Why is Chinese meat so tender? ›

In Chinese cooking, proteins like beef, pork or chicken are velveted first before stir-frying them. There are several ways to velvet, but at its most basic level, it involves marinating meat with at least one ingredient that will make it alkaline. This is what tenderizes the meat, especially cheaper, tougher cuts.

What is the best beef for stir-fry? ›

What Cut of Beef is Best for Stir-fry? Flank steak is by far the most popular cut of meat used by Chinese restaurants in all of their stir-fry dishes. It also happens to be the most recommended cut of beef we use in our stir-fry recipes.

What is the sauce made of from Chinese chicken and broccoli? ›

What's In the Sauce for Chicken and Broccoli? Basic stir-fry sauce is made up of aromatics like ginger and garlic, dark and regular soy sauces, sesame oil, oyster sauce, sugar, Chinese rice wine (Shaoxing wine) and white pepper. Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce enough to coat the chicken and vegetables.

Does beef and broccoli sauce have sugar? ›

INGREDIENTS: Water, Sugar, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt, Ethyl Alcohol), Chicken Broth, Soybean Oil, Garlic, Sake (Water, Rice), Distilled Vinegar, Corn Starch, Less than 2% of: Oyster Sauce (Water, Sugar, Salt, Oyster Extractives [Oyster, Water, Salt], Corn Starch), Salt, Ginger, Sesame Seed Oil.

Is beef and broccoli healthy from a Chinese? ›

1) Beef with Broccoli

Because of its protein and fiber content, beef with broccoli can be a healthier choice. Broccoli contains about 2.4 grams of fiber per cup. It's also a great source of essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium, potassium, vitamin C, Vitamin A, folate, and vitamin K.

What is the difference between white sauce and brown sauce in Chinese food? ›

Chinese White Sauce has a light coloured appearance while the brown sauce is darker. The former is used for fish, seafood, and vegetables, while people use the latter for cooking meat dishes, such as duck and lamb. Both are broth-based dips that are common stir-fry bases, but they are cooked somewhat differently.

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