Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry – A One-Pan Classic with Big Flavor
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This beef and broccoli stir fry is one of our favorite meals. It’s quick, flavorful, and healthier than takeout. Everything cooks in a large frying pan, making cleanup simple and fast.
Thin strips of flank steak, skirt steak, or top sirloin steak cook quickly in a large skillet. Fresh broccoli florets stay crisp but tender. A bold stir-fry sauce coats every bite with flavor.
The sauce uses low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos, garlic, fresh ginger, brown sugar or maple syrup, and sesame oil. Arrowroot starch or cornstarch thickens the sauce naturally. This combination makes a perfect broccoli recipe.
This easy beef stir fry works well for busy weeknights, healthy meal prep, or low-carb dinners. It’s great for the whole family.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Stir Fry
This beef and broccoli recipe is fast, simple, and packed with flavor. You’ll only need one large frying pan.
The thin strips of beef cook quickly over medium-high heat. The broccoli stir fry cooks in just minutes. The sauce comes together in one bowl with common pantry ingredients.
This is one of those easy beef recipes that feels like Chinese food but uses healthier ingredients. It’s a great option for low-carb meals or quick dinner recipes.
Serve this stir fry with white rice, brown rice, rice noodles, or cauliflower rice. Add bell peppers, snap peas, or snow peas for extra vegetables.
The finished dish stores well in an airtight container and reheats beautifully the next time. It’s perfect for leftovers.
Tips for Best Results
Use flank steak or top sirloin steak sliced into thin strips. This helps the beef cook quickly and stay tender.
Marinate the beef in the sauce ingredients for at least 15 minutes. Coconut aminos and garlic add depth of flavor.
Use avocado oil or olive oil in a large skillet or wok. Heat the pan well before adding ingredients.
Stir fry the broccoli first in a bit of oil. Remove it before cooking the beef. This keeps it crisp.
Return the broccoli after the sauce thickens. Arrowroot starch or cornstarch makes the sauce glossy and coats everything evenly.
Keep the beef in a single layer while searing. Overcrowding will cause steaming and lead to less flavor.
Sprinkle green onions, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes on top. This adds flavor and a pop of color.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Slice the flank steak or skirt steak into thin strips. Cut against the grain for the most tender beef. If you are having trouble cutting thin slices, freeze the beef for 10-20 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, mirin, and rice vinegar.
Add a tablespoon of arrowroot starch or cornstarch to the sauce. This helps the sauce thicken later.
Add the sliced beef to the bowl and stir to coat. Let it marinate while you prep the broccoli.
Cut fresh broccoli florets into small, even pieces. Keep them dry so they roast instead of steam.
In a large frying pan, heat avocado oil or olive oil over medium-high heat. Add broccoli and stir fry for 4–5 minutes.
Remove broccoli and set aside. Add more oil if needed, then place beef in the skillet in a single layer.
Sear the beef for 2–3 minutes on each side. Don’t stir too often—this helps develop a good sear.
Pour in the remaining sauce and cook for 2–3 more minutes. Stir as the sauce thickens.
Return the broccoli to the skillet and toss everything together. Let it heat through for another minute or two.
Serving Suggestions
This beef broccoli stir fry is very flexible. Serve it over brown rice, white rice, or cauliflower rice.
You can also use rice noodles or shredded cabbage for variety. For extra flavor, drizzle with sesame oil or rice vinegar.
Top with sesame seeds, sliced green onion, and red pepper flakes. Add red bell peppers or snap peas if you like.
It’s great as a full meal or as part of a Chinese food dinner night at home.
Leftover Suggestions
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days. Reheat in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed. You can also microwave it for a fast lunch.
Use leftovers in fried rice with eggs and green onion. Wrap them in lettuce or tortillas for something new.
Add to a salad with a bit of rice vinegar. Or mix with noodles for a second-day stir fry.
This is one of those easy recipes that’s just as good the second time. Great for busy schedules.
This beef and broccoli stir fry is one of the best weeknight dinners you can make in a frying pan.
It uses simple ingredients like flank steak, broccoli florets, sesame oil, garlic, and low-sodium soy sauce.
The sauce is rich, sticky, and perfectly coats every bite. It’s one of the most satisfying Chinese food recipes to make at home.
Whether you serve it with brown rice, cauliflower rice, or rice noodles, it always hits the spot.
Use your favorite cuts of beef. Stir fry it in a large skillet or wok. Keep it in a single layer for the best sear.
This is one of our favorite healthy beef recipes. It’s fast, fresh, and full of flavor. No takeout required.
Make it once, and it’ll be in your regular rotation. It’s the kind of meal your whole family will request again and again.
Beef and Broccoli
A quick and flavorful beef and broccoli stir fry made in one pan with tender steak, crisp broccoli florets, and a bold, savory sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or healthy meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup low sodium Soy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Mirin
- 2 tablespoons Rice Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
- 1 tablespoon Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Sesame Seeds
- 1 tablespoon grated Ginger
- 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup or Brown Sugar
- 1-1.5 lbs Flank Steak
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 16 oz. Broccoli
Instructions
- Slice the flank steak or skirt steak into thin strips. Cut against the grain for the most tender beef. If you are having trouble cutting thin slices, freeze the beef for 10-20 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, mirin, and rice vinegar.
- Add a tablespoon of arrowroot starch or cornstarch to the sauce. This helps the sauce thicken later.
- Add the sliced beef to the bowl and stir to coat. Let it marinate while you prep the broccoli.
- Cut fresh broccoli florets into small, even pieces. Keep them dry so they roast instead of steam.
- In a large frying pan, heat avocado oil or olive oil over medium-high heat. Add broccoli and stir fry for 4–5 minutes.
- Remove broccoli and set aside. Add more oil if needed, then place beef in the skillet in a single layer.
- Sear the beef for 2–3 minutes on each side. Don’t stir too often—this helps develop a good sear.
- Pour in the remaining sauce and cook for 2–3 more minutes. Stir as the sauce thickens.
- Return the broccoli to the skillet and toss everything together. Let it heat through for another minute or two.
