Beef and broccoli made with tender flank steak, fresh broccoli, and covered in a sweet and tangy sauce is bursting with flavor!
This simple beef and broccoli recipe will be your new go-to homemade Chinese recipe! Serve it with our sesame noodles, instant pot rice, and 3 ingredient orange chicken for a complete take-out experience at home!
Beef and Broccoli
Beef and Broccoli
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 All those take-out flavors without the wait or the price!
📌 Easy to throw together for a quick weeknight meal.
📌 You can easily swap frozen broccoli for fresh in a pinch!
Beef and broccoli ingredients
- Broccoli – Fresh crowns cut into bite size pieces, you can also use frozen broccoli.
- Steak – Flank steak cut against the grain into thin slices.
- Broth – Beef broth or stock.
- Cornstarch – For thickening the sauce.
- Soy Sauce – Low sodium.
- Oyster sauce – Can substitute soy sauce, hoisin or fish sauce.
- Dry sherry – Can substitute with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
- Sugar – Light brown sugar, packed.
- Sesame oil – Sesame oil is ideal for this recipe but you can also use vegetable oil.
- Ginger – Freshly grated.
- Garlic – We prefer fresh minced but jarred minced garlic will work too.
- Spices – Chinese five spices
- Optional garnish – Sesame seeds if desired.
How do you make beef and broccoli? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, whisk together the beef broth and the cornstarch until blended. Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sherry, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and chinese five spices. Add a small amount of sauce to the steak and toss to coat. Set aside.
⭐ Next, cook the broccoli in a large skillet over medium heat with a small amount of water. Cook until broccoli begins to become fork tender and turns a bright green color. Remove from the pan and set aside.
⭐ Then, add the marinated steak to the pan and stir fry until it is just cooked through. Return the broccoli to the pan and pour over the sauce.
⭐ Finally, bring everything to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the sauce has started to thicken. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve!
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
What cut of steak should I use for beef and broccoli?
We recommend using flank steak or skirt steak. Make sure to slice against the grain for those delicious tender thin strips of steak!
Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh broccoli?
Yes! We prefer using fresh broccoli but if frozen broccoli is what you have on hand, it will work just fine and actually speed up your cook time!
What can I use instead of beef?
This would also be delicious with chicken or pork. If you want to keep it vegetarian, try using crispy tofu.
Can I double the recipe to serve more people?
Absolutely! You can easily double or triple the ingredients to make a larger batch of beef and broccoli. Just make sure to use a large enough pan to accommodate the additional ingredients.
Storage and leftovers
How long does homemade beef and broccoli last?
You can keep the leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days, or in the freezer for several weeks.
Can you freeze beef and broccoli?
Absolutely! To freeze the leftovers, allow them to cool completely, then store in a freezer safe, tightly sealed container. Make sure to leave headroom at the top of the container for expansion.
Tips and tricks
✅ Make sure to cut the beef slices and broccoli florets in uniform sizes for even cooking.
✅ Spice it up by adding crushed red pepper flakes, sriracha sauce, or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. Adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance.
✅ Make it a complete stir fry meal by adding in more vegetables like mushrooms, onions and carrots.
✅ If you’re not familiar with the flavor of sesame oil, taste it first. Vegetable or olive oil are good substitutes if it’s not your jam.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make this beef and broccoli recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce and ensuring that all other ingredients, including the oyster sauce and dry sherry, are also gluten-free.
Can I use other vegetables instead of broccoli?
Absolutely! While broccoli is a classic choice, you can customize this recipe with other vegetables like snap peas, bell peppers, carrots, or baby corn.
Can I marinate the beef ahead of time?
Yes, you can marinate the beef in the sauce mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight for even more flavor.
Can I adjust the sweetness or saltiness of the sauce?
Yes, you can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar, and you can control the saltiness by adjusting the amount of soy sauce used. Taste the sauce as you go and adjust to your preference.
Can I use a different type of steak for this recipe?
While flank steak is recommended for its tenderness, you can use other cuts of steak like sirloin or ribeye if that’s what you have available. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary some depending on the cut of meat.
Can I make this beef and broccoli recipe spicy?
Yes, you can add some heat to the dish by incorporating crushed red pepper flakes, chili sauce, or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
Can I use a wok instead of a skillet for stir-frying?
Yes, a wok is an excellent alternative to a skillet for stir-frying. It allows for even heating and quick cooking, which is perfect for this recipe.
Can I make this beef and broccoli recipe dairy-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally dairy-free, so you don’t need to worry about any dairy-based ingredients. Just ensure that the soy sauce and other sauces you use are also free from dairy additives.
What to eat with beef and broccoli (serving suggestions)
Beef and broccoli is one of our go-to easy weeknight meals that the whole family loves. We usually make a whole takeout night with easy fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, and vegetable chow mein!
More delicious steak recipes
- Honey garlic steak bites
- Steak seasoning
- Crock pot cube steak
- Cilantro lime steak
- Steak tostadas
- See all our steak recipes!
Other awesome take-out inspired dishes
Tools we love
- Cast iron skillet – I love this skillet because it has a smooth surface. Perfect for easy cooking.
- Wooden spatula set – I never worry about ruining my cookware or non-stick surfaces when I use a wooden spatula!
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How to Make Beef and Broccoli
Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 2 broccoli crowns cut into bite size pieces
- 1 pound flank steak cut against the grain into thin slices
- ½ cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon dry sherry
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ⅛ teaspoon chinese five spices
- sesame seeds to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk together the beef broth and the cornstarch. Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sherry, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and chinese five spices. Add about 3 tablespoons of the sauce to the steak and toss to coat. Set aside.
- Cook the broccoli in a large skillet over medium heat with a couple tablespoons of water, until the broccoli has started to become tender and turns a bright green color, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Add the marinated steak to the pan and stir fry until it is just cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Return the broccoli to the pan and pour over the sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the sauce has started to thicken, another 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with sesame seeds, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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Beef and Broccoli
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Kristyn says
This is seriously one of my favorites!! It’s even better when I can make it at home!! This recipe is delicious & so tasty!! The meat & broccoli are so tender too!
Olivia says
This beef and broccoli recipe tasted even better than takeout and was so easy to make! Thank you for sharing!
Shar says
This beef and broccoli recipe has been on our on repeat recipe meals! It is totally delicious and brimming with flavors!