This easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry recipe will remind you of your favorite Chinese restaurant without the hassle of leaving the house!
This recipe is fast and simple but packs flavor in every bite with tender beef, crisp broccoli, and hints of fresh ginger and garlic
This beef and broccoli stir-fry recipe is a classic and will remind you of your favorite takeout from the best Chinese food restaurant. This stir-fry sauce is super savory with a velvety texture and the beef is tender. It’s one of my family’s favorite recipes.
Stir fries are easy recipes and the whole family will love this 25-minute meal. As a bonus, you don’t have to turn on the oven, and it’s especially great in the summer when the fresh broccoli florets are in peak season.
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Ingredients for Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
The following ingredients are what you’ll need. For exact quantities see the recipe card below.
- Beef – the best cut of meat: filet mignon, NY, sirloin, flank steak, flat iron steak, or skirt steak
- Broccoli – this is the traditional choice but any crunchy green vegetable will work. See suggestions below.
- Garlic and Ginger – essential flavors for any stir fry
- Beef Broth – helps create a rich brown sauce. Chicken broth can be used, however the flavor will be lighter.
- Oyster Sauce – a dark brown sauce common in Asian cooking, and many stir-fry recipes, with a sweet, tangy, and salty flavor
- Sesame Oil – this recipe uses it for both the sauce and for sautéing but olive oil can be substituted
- Soy Sauce – perfect for adding umami flavor to any stir fry, use either regular soy sauce or low sodium soy sauce
- Sugar – used for balancing the savory flavors. In a pinch use brown sugar or hoisin sauce
- Black or White Pepper
- Cornstarch – helps thicken the stir-fry sauce and gives it a silky texture
- Sesame Seeds – we prefer toasted sesame seeds because they have a deeper flavor
How to make Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Whisk sauce by blending the beef broth, oyster sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, and pepper in a medium bowl. Set aside
- Chop the broccoli into even-sized florets
- Slice the steak into thin strips across the grain. Cutting across the grain produces the most tender meat.
- In a small bowl whisk the cornstarch and water and set aside
- In a wok or large skillet heat 1 Tablespoon oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers
- Add the broccoli to the hot skillet and stir fry for 3-5 minutes (depending on how crisp you prefer your broccoli)
- Add the chopped garlic and ginger to the broccoli and sauté for one more minute. Remove all the ingredients from the pan and set aside
- If needed, add one more Tablespoon of sesame oil, and sauté the beef until browned (about 4 minutes), with a nice sear, stirring constantly
- Add broccoli, garlic, and ginger back to the pan, add sauce, and stir to combine
- Stir fry for about 1 minute and then add the cornstarch mixture, bring to a boil, cooking about 1 minute to let the sauce thicken. Remove from the heat
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving
Stir fry tips and tricks:
- Prep all ingredients before you cook. Stir fry is a fast process and you won’t have time to slice and measure once you begin cooking
- If you are making rice, start it ahead of time so everything finishes at the same time
- Super cold uncooked meat is easier to slice, so pop the steak in the freezer for about 20 minutes, if you have time, before thinly slicing
- Pat the beef dry before you stir fry it otherwise, it will steam instead of developing a nice caramelization
- The oil should be very hot. You want the meat to sizzle when it hits the pan!
- Cornstarch is one of the best ways of developing a nice, thick, velvety sauce
- Cut all the broccoli the same size to ensure even cooking
Substitutions Ideas:
Try adding or substituting the healthy broccoli with other vegetables such as:
- asparagus
- green beans
- sliced mushrooms
- cauliflower
- snow peas
- red peppers, or any other color bell peppers, sliced
Making a meat-free stir fry
- To make a meat-free version substitute firm tofu, cut into 1″ pieces, for the beef. Replace the beef stock with vegetable stock. The flavor will be different, but still delicious, with this rich sauce!
Serving stir fry broccoli and beef:
- Stir fries cook up super quick so do yourself a favor and have all of your serving plates and bowls ready to go.
- We like to serve this easy stir fry with steamed white rice to soak up the savory sauce, and a sprinkling of sesame seeds, but you could also serve it over brown rice, steamed cauliflower rice, or add a sprinkling of sliced green onions.
- Add a fresh light salad such as our Strawberry Spinach Salad to round off your dinner.
Storing Leftovers
- If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let the stir fry cool, place in an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- It makes a great lunch the next day! Gently reheat over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
Other easy quick meals
Need other great weeknight meal ideas? Try these:
- Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Steamed Clams with Garlic Butter and Wine Sauce
- Garlic Shrimp with Roasted Tomatoes
- Asian Pork Tenderloin
Suggested Wine Pairings
- This dish pairs well with low-tannin red wines, along with off-dry Rieslings which are good all-around wines.
- You can also mix things up with an Asian beer such as Tsingtao or Sapporo.
Other quick recipes you might like
- Spicy Szechuan Green Beans
- Chipotle Pan Roasted Shrimp
- Garlic Shrimp with Roasted Tomatoes
- Asian Coleslaw with Peanut Dressing
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Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds flank steak or filet, thinly sliced on the bias (or NY, skirt, sirloin)
- 2 Tablespoons sesame oil, divided
- 2½ cups broccoli, small florets
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced (or 1 tsp dry ginger)
Sauce:
- ⅓ cup beef broth
- ¼ cup oyster sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon pepper, freshly ground
Cornstarch mixture
- 1½ teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon cold water
Garnish
- 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
Sauce:
- In a medium bowl mix the beef broth, oyster sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, and pepper. Set aside.
Cornstarch mixture:
- In a small bowl add the cornstarch and stir in the water until combined. Set aside.
Stir-frying:
- Over medium-high heat, warm 1 Tablespoon of the sesame oil in a large frying pan or wok.
- Add broccoli florets and stir fry about 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and stir fry another minute. Be sure to shake the pan so the garlic does not burn. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of sesame oil and turn the heat up to high. Once the oil is shimmering add the beef and stir fry for about 4 minutes or until beef is browned and seared. Stir often.
- Add broccoli mixture back to pan and heat thoroughly. Add the sauce mixture over broccoli and beef, and stir fry about 1 minute.
- Pour in the cornstarch mixture and bring to a boil. Cook for 1 minute or until the sauce has thickened.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.
Notes
- Prep all ingredients before you cook. Stir fry is a fast process and you won’t have time to slice and measure once you begin cooking
- Super cold uncooked meat is easier to slice, so pop the steak in the freezer for about 20 minutes if you have time before thinly slicing
- Cut all the broccoli the same size to ensure even cooking
TAYLER ROSS
I made this beef and broccoli for dinner last night and it was incredible! Easy to make and so much better than takeout!
Kristen
I made this for dinner and it was a hit with my family! Thank you!
Dannii
This was super easy to make and really comforting. I will definitely be making it again.
Jessica
I love making this dish for a weeknight meal because of how much my kids love it!
Kushigalu
Healthy and delicious stir fry recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Collins Sarah
Awesome! Doubled the sauce. Husband said, “save that one!”
Jayne
Love it – I always double the sauce too for my kids! Thanks for stopping by and letting us know.
Sherry Arledge
I made this for dinner tonight & this dish was absolutely fabulous!! It was a huge hit with the entire family. Next time I will double the amount of sauce, as they all wanted more!!!😘
Jayne
Amazing Sherry! I always double the sauce too because my family loves a ton of sauce. Thanks for the great report! C.U.
Kathy Absher
Yum, yum and so delicious!
Jayne
thank you Kathy Enjoy