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!
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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
Good. My family are not big on stir fries and seemed to enjoy it.
I doubled the recipe and it was too much sauce, so if I make it again I’ll reduce the amount of sauce.
Great to hear that you family enjoyed it! Yes, feel free to double the sauce on your next try!
My husband and I enjoy this meal. We have it at least once a month.
I’m so happy you both enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Janet!
I loved it!! Hubby thought it was a little too sweet but I didn’t think so at all. I’ll be making this again.. I’ll add in the sugar after I make him a plate. 😉
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
THIS. WAS. DELICIOUS!! First time making it and this has definitely got to be a weekly dinner!! I did not put as much sesame oil though, I think I put half. Thank you!!
You’re welcome! I’m happy that you loved this recipe a lot!
Was really tasty and I think mushrooms and onions would be yummy too!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great sauce! I doubled it and added stir fried onions and mushrooms too. That’s how the Chinese restaurant near my house does it. Delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Crystal!
I don’t get why such high reviews, 2 tbs sesame oil! It was so over powering! I hade the whole family over for dinner and everyone hated it.
Hi Judy, I’m sorry to hear that since this is a very popular recipe. If the sesame oil was overpowering I suspect it may have been the type of sesame oil used in which case, definitely add it to taste.
I had a lot of left over, barbecued steak (rare) from Mother’s Day & a lot of broccoli that needed to be dealt with. This was a perfect recipe! Of course the steak cooking time was much less & I made a batch of brown basmati rice. What a delicious meal! Thank you Natasha for yet another super flavourful, easy meal!
You’re welcome, so glad to hear that you enjoyed it!
This is the greatest recipe and is on constant rotatation in my home. My daughter has to be gluten free so we really miss Asian foods (because of the soy sauce). I use tamari and it’s perfect. Thank you!
Great to hear that you were able tio find a good substitution!
This recipe rocks!! I made it tonight, 5/15/24, and it turned out fabulous!! I didn’t need to adjust anything except my waistband. Definitely give this 5 stars!!
Oh that’s wonderful! Thank you for your great comments and 5 stars. I’m glad that you loved this recipe!
i did made this with beef once and it was yummy. but i do wanna know if i can do it with chicken instead?
Hi Ellie, glad you liked it! I have another recipe for Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry.
If I don’t have fresh ginger available, how much dried ginger could I substitute? Thanks!
Hi Alanna, yes, you can use dried ginger, but note to keep in mind the flavor and texture will likely be different compared to fresh ginger. I hope this helps.
Thank you for the wonderful recipe I like making something different every now and then
Sure, go for it! So glad you love this!
Loved this delicious recipe I marinated the flank steak 1 and 1/2 cups water and 3 tsp baking soda for 30 min right before cooking, and rinse off good, it makes it sooooo tender
Nice! Thanks for sharing that with us, Maureen!
Absolutely yum! I had a bigger finger of ginger, so used twice as much, but it was still amazing. Will definitely make again. Thank you 😊
You’re so very welcome!
This recipe is quick and perfect! I did slightly season my beef before searing. But a great recipe!
AMAZING!! Follow it exactly – made this many times and on the menu tonight – using leftover ribeye steaks….drooling.
By far the best and easiest weeknight meal! The flavor is amazing and the recipe is perfect! The family LOVES this and requests this continually! We serve it usually over Jasmine rice or sticky rice. I love to put sesame seeds over the top and green scallions or onions ♥️ I also use tri tip at times for the beef and recommend!
That’s wonderful, Tina! I’m so glad it’s being enjoyed. Thank you for sharing.
I wish I could give this 10 stars. It was incredibly delicious and easy to make. I wondered though, if in a pinch could you use frozen broccoli?
Hi Lisa! Some of my readers have reported good results using frozen broccoli.
I always keep frozen broccoli for quick dinners like this. I just adjust my cooking time to make sure the broccoli is warm through. This is a family favorite.
Just made this with frozen broccoli from Costco – 6 min. On high in a bag as per instructions, then added to beef onions. What a life saver! Delicious and quick.
This is a type of recipe I was looking for. Glad I came across it. Delicious !!