Beef and Broccoli Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Have you ever craved a beef and broccoli dish that truly dazzles your taste buds?

My culinary adventures led me to this incredible combination that balances savory protein with crisp green vegetables.

Tender meat slices promise a delightful eating experience that feels restaurant-quality at home.

Succulent beef strips dancing with bright broccoli florets create a meal packed with robust flavors and nutritional goodness.

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this recipe delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

Quick cooking techniques ensure you spend less time preparing and more moments enjoying each delectable bite.

Jump into this mouthwatering journey and let your kitchen become a flavor destination!

Why Beef and Broccoli Is Always a Good Choice

• Effortlessly transform ordinary ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal that'll impress your family in just 20 minutes.
• Easily adjust the sauce's sweetness or spiciness by tweaking brown sugar, adding chili flakes, or incorporating your favorite Asian-inspired seasonings.
• Pack a powerful protein punch with lean beef and vibrant broccoli, delivering a balanced, wholesome dinner that's both delicious and nutritionally dense.
• Using a single skillet eliminates multiple dishes, making this recipe a dream for busy home cooks who want maximum taste with minimal washing-up effort.

The Must-Haves for Beef and Broccoli

• Beef: Rich, tender meat that provides the main protein, best with flank steak or sirloin for quick cooking.

• Broccoli: Crisp green vegetable that adds nutrition and color, fresh florets work best.

• Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce: Provides deep umami flavor and saltiness, choose low-sodium versions for less salt.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps caramelize the sauce, dark brown sugar has more robust flavor.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce and creates glossy texture, white cornstarch is standard.
• Beef Broth: Enhances sauce depth and moisture, low-sodium versions recommended.

• Garlic, Ginger: Adds sharp, warm flavor base, fresh is always better than dried.

• Vegetable Oil, Sesame Oil: Provides cooking medium and additional nutty flavor, toasted sesame oil adds more intensity.

• Steamed Rice: Neutral base that soaks up the delicious sauce, jasmine or long-grain rice work perfectly.

Cooking Beef and Broccoli Without Fuss

Step 1: Whip Up the Flavor Base

• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Cornstarch
• Oyster sauce
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Beef broth
• Sesame oil

Whisk everything until smooth and set aside.

Step 2: Prep the Broccoli

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Drizzle in oil and toss in broccoli florets. Splash a bit of water and stir-fry quickly for 3-4 minutes until the broccoli turns bright green and stays crisp. Transfer to a separate plate.

Step 3: Sear the Beef

In the same pan, add another splash of oil. Lay beef slices in a single layer without crowding. Let each side sizzle for 2-3 minutes until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms.

Step 4: Bring Everything Together

Return broccoli to the pan with the beef. Pour the prepared sauce over the ingredients. Stir and toss everything until each piece gets evenly coated.

Step 5: Finish and Thicken

Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes. Watch the sauce transform into a glossy, clingy coating that hugs the beef and broccoli.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Slide the steaming stir-fry over a bed of fluffy steamed rice. Grab chopsticks or a fork and dive in while it’s hot!

Useful Tips for Better Beef and Broccoli

• Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Soak sliced beef in half the sauce mixture for 15-30 minutes before cooking to infuse deeper, richer taste and tenderize the meat.
• Prevent Overcooking Broccoli: Remove broccoli from pan immediately after becoming crisp-tender to maintain bright green color and crunchy texture, avoiding mushy vegetables.
• Slice Beef Against the Grain: Cut beef strips perpendicular to muscle fibers to ensure maximum tenderness and easier chewing, creating a more enjoyable eating experience.
• Control Sauce Thickness: Adjust cornstarch quantity based on desired sauce consistency – less cornstarch creates thinner sauce, more cornstarch produces thicker coating for beef and broccoli.
• Quick Meal Prep Hack: Prepare sauce and slice ingredients beforehand, storing in refrigerator to reduce cooking time and streamline weeknight dinner preparation.

Keeping Beef and Broccoli for Later

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even heating. Add a splash of beef broth to prevent dryness.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. Stir frequently and add a little broth to restore moisture and prevent beef from becoming tough.
• This dish doesn't freeze well due to broccoli's delicate texture and potential sauce separation. Best enjoyed fresh within a few days.

Sides That Go Great with Beef and Broccoli

• Pair this beef and broccoli dish with a crisp, dry Japanese sake to complement the savory sauce and enhance the meaty flavors.
• Serve a hot green tea alongside the meal to cut through the richness of the beef and cleanse the palate between bites.
• Create a light cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds to provide a cool, refreshing contrast to the warm, intense beef dish.
• Choose fluffy jasmine rice as the perfect base to soak up the delicious sauce and add a subtle floral undertone to the meal.

Fun Ways to Switch Up Beef and Broccoli

• Vegetarian Version: Replace beef with firm tofu, sliced and pan-fried until golden. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a plant-based alternative that maintains the rich flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap rice for cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. Reduce brown sugar or use a sugar substitute to create a keto-friendly meal that keeps the classic sauce texture.
• Spicy Kick Edition: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the marinade. Incorporate sliced jalapeños during stir-frying to give the dish an extra heat level for spice lovers.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of soy sauce. Replace cornstarch with arrowroot powder and ensure oyster sauce is gluten-free certified to create a safe option for those with wheat sensitivities.

Got Beef and Broccoli Questions? We’ve Got You

• Why is cornstarch important in the sauce?

Cornstarch helps thicken the sauce and creates a glossy, smooth texture that coats the beef and broccoli evenly, preventing a watery result and ensuring a rich, clingy sauce.

• How do I know when the beef is cooked correctly?

Cook the beef in a single layer for 2-3 minutes per side until it’s browned but still slightly pink in the center. This prevents overcooking and keeps the meat tender and juicy.

• Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Fresh broccoli is recommended for better texture and crispness. Frozen broccoli can become mushy and release too much water, which might dilute the sauce and affect the overall dish’s quality.

• What's the best type of beef to use for this recipe?

Flank steak or sirloin work best because they’re lean, tender, and can be sliced thinly against the grain. These cuts cook quickly and absorb the sauce’s flavors efficiently.

Beef and Broccoli Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory Beef and Broccoli promises a delightful journey through Chinese-inspired comfort cuisine. Tender marinated beef mingles with crisp broccoli, creating a balanced, quick meal that satisfies hungry palates with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

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Beef and Broccoli Ingredients:

Protein:

• 1 lb (454 grams) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain

Primary Vegetables:

• 4 cups fresh broccoli florets

Sauce and Seasoning:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup (60 grams) brown sugar
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) beef broth or water
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) oyster sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) grated fresh ginger (or ½ teaspoon ground)
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sesame oil (optional)

Serving:

• Cooked white rice

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Instructions

1. Prepare the flavor-packed sauce by whisking together soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, oyster sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, beef broth, and sesame oil in a mixing bowl. Let the mixture rest to allow ingredients to meld.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high temperature. Toss in broccoli florets and add a quick splash of water to create steam. Rapidly stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the broccoli becomes vibrant green and slightly crisp. Transfer to a separate plate.
3. In the same pan, introduce additional oil and carefully spread sliced beef in a single, uncrowded layer. Sear each side for 2-3 minutes, achieving a rich golden-brown exterior while maintaining a tender interior.
4. Reintroduce the broccoli to the pan with the seared beef. Pour the prepared sauce over the ingredients, gently stirring to ensure complete coverage.
5. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to transform into a glossy, thick coating that clings to both beef and broccoli.
6. Plate the beef and broccoli immediately over a bed of fluffy steamed rice, serving while piping hot for maximum flavor and texture enjoyment.

Notes

• Tenderize beef by slicing against the grain to ensure maximum softness and easier chewing.
• Control sauce thickness by adjusting cornstarch amount; less cornstarch creates a thinner sauce, more creates a richer, glossier coating.
• Use high heat for quick stir-frying to maintain broccoli’s vibrant green color and crisp texture without overcooking.
• Swap beef with chicken, tofu, or tempeh for alternative protein options that cater to different dietary preferences or restrictions.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg