Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Sizzling tender strips of beef mingling with crisp, emerald broccoli florets in a glossy, savory sauce – that’s the magic of Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry. This classic Chinese-American favorite brings restaurant quality flavors to your kitchen in just minutes. The rich umami from the beef, the fresh crunch of the broccoli, and the silky sauce create an irresistible combination that’s both comforting and exciting. You’ll learn how to create the perfect balance of flavors and textures while mastering the art of high-heat stir frying for a weeknight dinner that never disappoints.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry recipe will quickly become a staple in your meal rotation for countless good reasons. First, it delivers incredible flavor in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something delicious without hours of cooking. The contrast between the tender, juicy beef slices and the bright, crisp-tender broccoli creates a satisfying textural experience in every bite.

The velvety sauce – a perfect blend of soy, garlic, and subtle sweetness – clings beautifully to both the meat and vegetables, ensuring flavor in every mouthful. Unlike takeout versions that can leave you feeling heavy, this homemade Beef and Broccoli remains light while still being completely satisfying.

What truly sets this recipe apart is its versatility. It works brilliantly with different cuts of beef, can accommodate whatever vegetables you have on hand, and tastes amazing over rice, noodles, or even on its own for a low-carb option. The restaurant-quality results will impress your family while being simple enough for even beginner cooks to master.

Ingredients

For this classic Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, you’ll need:

• 1 lb (450g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
• 4 cups (340g) broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• ¼ cup (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• ½ cup (120ml) beef broth
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• White rice, for serving (optional)

The flank steak delivers the perfect texture when sliced thin, while fresh broccoli provides a crisp contrast to the tender beef. The combination of soy sauce and oyster sauce creates that authentic Chinese restaurant flavor, while the cornstarch gives the sauce its signature thickness and glossy appearance.

Pro Tips

Freeze the Beef First: For the thinnest, most tender slices, place your beef in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before cutting. This firms up the meat just enough to make slicing against the grain much easier, resulting in more tender pieces in your Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry.

Velvet the Meat: For restaurant-quality tenderness, “velvet” your beef by marinating it in 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon oil for 15-30 minutes before cooking. This creates a protective coating that keeps the meat juicy when exposed to high heat. It’s the secret technique Chinese restaurants use for incredibly tender beef in their stir fries.

Cook Hot and Fast: The most critical technique for perfect Beef and Broccoli is maintaining an extremely hot wok or pan. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which lowers the temperature and causes the meat to steam rather than sear. Each component should be cooked quickly – just 1-2 minutes for the beef and 3-4 minutes for the broccoli. This high-heat technique ensures your beef stays tender and your broccoli retains its vibrant color and slight crunch.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, beef broth, and cornstarch until the cornstarch is completely dissolved and no lumps remain. This creates the signature glossy sauce that will coat your Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry. Set this aside while you prepare the other components.

Step 2: Prepare the Beef
Slice your beef against the grain into very thin strips, about ¼-inch thick. Place the sliced beef in a bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. This light coating helps protect the meat during the high-heat cooking process.

Step 3: Blanch the Broccoli
Bring a pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Add the broccoli florets and blanch for just 30 seconds. Immediately drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. This pre-cooking ensures your broccoli will be perfectly crisp-tender in the final dish without requiring excessive stir-fry time.

Step 4: Stir Fry the Beef
Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until it’s smoking hot. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and swirl to coat. Add half of the beef in a single layer and let it sear undisturbed for 30 seconds before stirring. Cook for just another 30-60 seconds until the beef is browned on the outside but still slightly pink inside. Transfer to a clean plate and repeat with the remaining beef.

Step 5: Stir Fry the Aromatics and Vegetables
In the same wok, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring quickly for about 15 seconds until fragrant. Add the blanched broccoli and stir fry for 1-2 minutes until heated through but still crisp.

Step 6: Combine and Finish
Return the beef to the wok with any accumulated juices. Give your sauce mixture another quick stir and pour it into the wok. Toss everything together and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything with a beautiful glaze. Drizzle with sesame oil and toss once more. Your Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is ready to serve!

Variations

Spicy Beef and Broccoli: Transform your classic Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry into a fiery delight by adding 1-2 tablespoons of chili garlic sauce or sriracha to the sauce mixture. For additional heat, slice 1-2 fresh red chilies and add them when stir-frying the garlic and ginger. The heat perfectly complements the savory-sweet sauce and adds an exciting dimension to this traditional dish.

Beef and Mixed Vegetable Stir Fry: Expand beyond broccoli by creating a colorful medley with 2 cups of broccoli plus 2 cups of other vegetables like sliced bell peppers, snow peas, carrots, mushrooms, or water chestnuts. This variation maintains the essence of the classic beef and broccoli while adding different textures and nutrients. Simply adjust cooking times accordingly—harder vegetables like carrots should be added before softer ones like mushrooms.

Gluten-Free Option: Make this recipe gluten-free by substituting regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos and ensuring your oyster sauce is gluten-free (or replace with 1 tablespoon of fish sauce plus ½ teaspoon sugar). Serve over rice or rice noodles for a completely gluten-free meal that sacrifices none of the authentic flavor of traditional Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry.

Storage and Serving

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually continue to develop overnight, making leftovers particularly delicious. To reheat, simply warm in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes or microwave until hot, adding a tablespoon of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

For the perfect meal, serve this stir fry over a bed of steamed jasmine rice, which soaks up the delicious sauce. For a lower-carb alternative, cauliflower rice works wonderfully. If you prefer noodles, serve over cooked lo mein, rice noodles, or even ramen for an exciting twist.

For a complete Chinese restaurant experience at home, pair your Beef and Broccoli with a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil, or some store-bought spring rolls as an appetizer. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions adds the perfect finishing touch before serving.

FAQs

What’s the best cut of beef for Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry?
Flank steak and sirloin are ideal for Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry because they offer good flavor and become tender when sliced thinly against the grain. Ribeye is more expensive but extraordinarily tender and flavorful. In a pinch, you can even use ground beef for a budget-friendly version.

How do I prevent my broccoli from becoming mushy?
Blanch your broccoli for just 30 seconds before stir-frying, and don’t overcook it in the wok – 1-2 minutes is sufficient. You want it to be bright green and crisp-tender, not soft.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can slice the beef and vegetables and prepare the sauce up to 24 hours ahead, storing everything separately in the refrigerator. The actual stir-frying should be done just before serving for the best texture.

My sauce isn’t thickening. What went wrong?
Make sure your cornstarch is fully dissolved in your sauce mixture before adding it to the wok. If it’s still not thickening, mix an additional teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stir it into the sauce.

What can I substitute for oyster sauce?
If you don’t have oyster sauce, mix 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce with 1 teaspoon soy sauce, or use 1 tablespoon fish sauce with ½ teaspoon sugar. While the flavor won’t be identical, these substitutions will still provide delicious results.

Conclusion

This Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is comfort food at its finest — a harmonious blend of tender meat, crisp vegetables, and rich, savory flavors that dance across your palate. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight into a special occasion, bringing restaurant-quality Chinese food to your table in less time than delivery would take. Whether you’re cooking for your family or impressing dinner guests, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between impressive results and effortless preparation. Make it once, and watch it become a regular request in your home.

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