Beef and Broccoli is an easy, 1-pan, 30-minute meal that’s loaded with fresh broccoli, tender beef, and the best stir-fry sauce. This Beef and Broccoli Recipe definitely satisfies the craving for takeout. Watch the video recipe below and see how easy it is!
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Helpful Reader Review
“Oh my goodness! The hype is real, y’all!! I made this tonight for the first time and my husband raved and raved. It was not difficult at all. I followed the recipe exactly, using flank steak and following the tip of adding water to make the broccoli a little more tender. My only regret is I did not double the recipe is there are no leftovers…” – Hannah ★★★★★
Beef and Broccoli Video
I hope this Beef Broccoli Stir Fry video recipe becomes a favorite for you. It’s such a treat to enjoy home cooking when you’re on the go.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I developed this recipe years ago as a copycat for the Panda Express, P.F. Changs and Cheesecake Factory Beef and Broccoli – the sauce here really makes the dish! It satisfies my family’s frequent cravings, but I think this homemade version has better flavors and textures. It also has better ingredients, so I feel really good about serving it to my family. I make sure to add plenty of broccoli for a balanced meal, and honestly, I’ve never seen my kids eat broccoli so fast!
This is also a versatile dish – you can add your favorite vegetables to this recipe (see ingredient variations below). I love serving this over cooked white rice, but have gotten creative over the years and sometimes add noodles for a Beef Broccoli Ramen Stir Fry that is a meal in one dish (add that to next weeks meal plan).
Ingredients
This recipe follows my mantra – ‘sometimes the simplest recipes are the best.’ A good stir fry should be simple. Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy broccoli beef.
- Beef – Flank Steak is the best cut of beef for stir fry because it’s tender, lean, and easy to chew. More options include: Top Sirloin Steak, Top Round Steak, or Tri-Tip Steak. Ribeye also works for extra flavor and richness.
- Broccoli – Fresh broccoli florets are best. I avoid using frozen broccoli because it gets mushy, releases liquid and dilutes the sauce, making it bland. You can also change out the vegetables – try snap peas, bell peppers, carrots, and even mushrooms.
- Sauce – an easy and perfect blend of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, water, brown sugar, pepper, sesame oil and corn starch to thicken up the sauce.
Natasha’s Tips for Thin-Sliced Beef
If you freeze your steak for about 30 minutes, it will be much easier to make thin and even slices because it stays in place. Slice against the grain, between 1/8″ to 1/4″ thick – the thinner you shave the beef, the better – it cooks faster, stays tender, and absorbs the sauce better.
The Best Stir Fry Sauce for Beef and Broccoli
Many stir fry recipes have gone wrong with a poorly made sauce. I tested this recipe over and over until I arrived at the perfect balance of sweet and savory. For the best stir fry sauce:
- Use low sodium soy sauce, or add to taste (or try Gluten Free Tamari)
- Use the right amount of fresh ginger – it has strong flavor so don’t overdo it.
- Do not skip the sesame oil as it gives authentic flavor
- Simmer sauce at least 3 minutes to mellow out garlic and ginger
- For a thinner sauce, add 2 Tbsp water at the end
How to Make Beef and Broccoli
This recipe moves fast and comes together in 1 skillet and 5 easy steps, so you want to have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you fire up the stove. It is just 6 steps in one skillet!
- Slice beef strips
- Make stir fry sauce
- Cook broccoli and remove from skillet.
- Cook beef
- Add stir fry sauce and return broccoli to the pan
Tips for the Best Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Here are my best tips to achieve a perfectly cooked stir fry with tender beef and perfectly cooked broccoli:
- Start with the right cut of beef (see ingredients section above) and thinly sliced steak for quick and even cooking.
- Add steak to a HOT skillet to sear and seal in the juices
- Use Fresh broccoli (not frozen)
- Don’t overcrowd the pan or it will cool the pan resulting in steam cooked beef.
Make Ahead and Storage
This saucy beef and broccoli recipe reheats really well so it’s perfect for weekly meal prep and to-go lunches for school and work.
- Prep Ahead: slice your beef, prepare the broccoli and make the sauce the day before and store them all separately until ready to cook.
- Storage: Once the beef and broccoli has cooled to room temperature, cover and refrigerate 3-4 days per USDA guidelines for storing cooked beef. For Meal prep, store in individual containers to reheat portions.
- Freezing: You can freeze but the texture will suffer since broccoli can get mushy when thawed.
- To Reheat: set portions in a skillet and stir fry over medium heat until hot. Add a splash of water to loosen up the sauce.
Beef and Broccoli is delicious and protein-packed dinner and you’ll love how quick and easy it is to make. Stir-fry recipes, such as our Ground Beef Stir Fry, Vegetable Stir Fry, and Shrimp Fried Rice, have become go-to’s because they are fast and healthier than going out.
Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Ingredients
Beef and Broccoli Ingredients:
- 1 lb flank steak*, very thinly sliced into bite-sized strips
- 2 Tbsp olive oil, (or vegetable oil), divided
- 1 lb fresh broccoli*, (cut into 6 cups of florets)
- 2 tsp sesame seeds, optional garnish
Stir Fry Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (loosely packed)
- 2 tsp garlic, grated (from 3 cloves)
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 6 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce, (or GF Tamari)
- 3 Tbsp packed light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp corn starch
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Prep: Start cooking white rice first so it's ready when the stir fry is done. Cover and freeze steak 30 minutes for easier slicing, then thinly slice against the grain.
- Make the Sauce: Combine all stir fry sauce ingredients in a bowl, stir well to dissolve the sugar, and set aside.
- Cook Broccoli: Place a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 Tbsp oil. Add broccoli florets and sauté 4-5 minutes, partially covered with lid, stirring or tossing several times until broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender then remove from pan. Tip: If you prefer softer broccoli, add 2 Tbsp water before covering with the lid and it will steam cook the broccoli.
- Cook Beef: Increase heat to high heat and add 1 Tbsp oil. Add beef in a single layer and sauté 2 minutes per side or just until cooked through. Quickly pull out a piece to test for doneness.
- Add the sauce, reduce heat to medium/low and simmer 3-4 minutes. It will thicken. Add broccoli and stir to combine. Stir in 1-2 Tbsp water to thin the sauce if desired. Serve over white rice.
Notes
- More steak options include: Top Sirloin Steak, Top Round Steak, Tri-Tip Steak, or Ribeye
- Vegetables: for best results, use fresh vegetables, not frozen. You can substitute or add a variety of veggies such as snap peas, bell peppers, carrots, and even mushrooms.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
More Beef Recipes that Reheat Well
Any recipe that reheats well is a great option for meal prep, school, and work lunch. This is a great list to help you get through a busy season.
- Lasagna – beefy, cheesy, and saucy
- Beef Chili – hearty and satisfying
- Easy Taco Soup – fun for Taco Tuesday
- Spaghetti Meat Sauce – also freezes well
- Beef Stir Fry – with 3 ingredient sauce
- Meatloaf – so many uses for leftovers
- Mongolian Beef – saucy and delicious
Made this with leftover pieces of steak and broccoli already cooked and I must say this is a great recipe very good will be making it again.
Thank you for the wonderful feedback, Connie!
Beef & Broccoli cheat: I had a good amount of grilled wagyu tri-tip leftover, so decided to try it in this recipe. While the beef was still cold, I sliced it very thinly. I cheated even further by steaming the broccoli in the microwave for about 3 minutes and letting it cool. Sauted a handful of scallions, tossed in the broccoli and sliced beef, added the sauce, and let it simmer a few minutes. My, oh my, it was super quick and easy, and oh so fantastic! Can’t think of a better way to use leftover beef! Thanks Natasha!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, John! Thank you for your thoughtful feedback!
Is there a marinade you’d recommend for marinating the beef ahead of time?
Hi Veronica! I don’t marinate the beef ahead of time but I think it could work with an Asian or teriyaki marinade.
Loved the recipe and thank you so much for your time. I was wondering if it is possible for me to make this in my new instant pot. Can’t wait for a response lol.
Hi Ineke! I’m glad you loved the recipe. I have not tested this in an instant pot to advise. I have a category of instant pot recipes HERE if you’d like.
Hi! I’m going to make this! I appreciate the fact you list the nutrition information and I see you’re on MyFitnessPal. For this recipe, for the serving, they list isn’t as a portion. May I ask, what is a portion! 1 cup? Thanks!!
Hi Karen, unfortunately, our nutrition label isn’t that sophisticated but hopefully that is as a feature that will be added in the future. If you made the full batch and divided it into 4, you’d have 4 servings. I didn’t measure it in cups, but I would say between 1 and 1 1/2 cups.
I LOVED THIS RECIPE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. HAVING A LARGER FAMILY IT’S HARD TO FIND SOMETHING EVERYONE LIKES.
That’s great. You’re very welcome. I’m so glad it was a hit with the family.
it comes together quickly and tastes great! Great for a week night meal. Will definitely make again.
Thanks, Rachel for your good comments and feedback!
I love EVERYTHING I’ve made from you, Natasha! Tonight I made this recipe for my husband and I for an at-home valentines dinner! It was AMAZING!!! I tossed in some petite carrots, cooked the veggies a bit longer, and didn’t use rice. The sauce is sooo delicious!!! Thanks for another great recipe!
Hi Rebekah! That’s wonderful. Thank you for sharing. I’m so glad you loved the recipe.
First of all – made the recipe for my husband and I and it was delicious and so easy!
Second – I’ll take all the ads so as not to pay 🙂 Thank you for providing these as I know it cannot be easy.
Hi Jennifer! Thank you for the wonderful feedback. So glad it was a hit.
Ever since we stopped eating at restaurants i have been craving Chinese food. This recipe for beef broccoli it’s spot on or even better. It was easy and oh so delicious. Thank you so much for this recipe, it made my day.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Ceci! It sounds like you found a new favorite.
It was great. Husband really liked it. At the end I tossed in some hoisin sauce. Used frozen stir fry veggies and sprinkled sesame seeds over it.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Laney! I’m so happy you enjoyed that.
I made this recipe in triplicate because we have a large family. I worried it would effect the results. But it was perfect! I was skeptical about 899 reviews at 5 stars, lol, but it is absolutely accurate. This is an amazing recipe. So delicious, everyone raved about it. I added water chestnuts because I love them but otherwise followed this recipe exactly. Best beef and broccoli ever!
Hi Margaret! That’s wonderful. Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m glad you loved it.
I would like to add that this is my go to recipe for beef broccoli . My family loves it! Thank you!
Yay, love it! I hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes that you will try.
I will try some of your other recipes and let you know. I’m sure I already have , been cooking meals for years ! Having it again tonight btw. Thanks again!
The recipe looks great, when I can read it between all the pop up videos.
Thank you for sharing your concerns and feedback. The only way we can continue providing free recipes is by having ads on our site so we are not able to remove those at this time. We find that most people would rather see the ads than pay to see the recipes. Also a tip, you can close the ad by pressing the x button after a while, if you’re still having issues, please let me know. I appreciate your feedback and I hope you love every recipe you try.
Great recipe, however, why don’t you velvet the beef to make it more tender as Chinese cooks do? Stire frying on a hot Wok also to me is a lot faster to cook and taste great,.
Hi David, there are lots of different ways and I’m sure that works great too! Thanks for your suggestions.
This is the first time I have ever made Broccoli Beef. This recipe is very easy and tastes great!
I’m so glad you loved it, Robin! Thank you for sharing.
I’ve made this recipe several times. The 3 TB of brown sugar made the sauce a little too sweet for our taste, so I cut it back to around 2 TB. It’s a super delicious way to use up the leftover veggies in the fridge. Thank you!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Amanda! Thank you for your feedback!
I like Beef and Broccoli with the Best Sauce. I wish, I will taste this food.
I hope it becomes your new favorite!
Five stars is not enough for this recipe! The hubby said I needed to Bronze it! High praise from him. He ate two huge portions and wanted more. This is a keeper for sure.
Thank you, that’s so lovely! We appreciate the perfect review!
Thanks for the easy delicious recipe. I do batch cooking for an older lady and am always looking for delicious recipes I can cook in bigger batches that freeze/thaw/reheat well as individual portions! I made this and served over cous cous (instead of rice–as requested by the person I cook for), and packaged individual portions to freeze and have for future meals. It was delicious and was requested again by her.
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing that with us, I’m glad that you love making this recipe ahead too!