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
Thank you!!! This beef and broccoli was delish!! I add some red pepper and mushrooms. The flavor was wonderful. Will make this again for sure!
I made this last night. Easy to do and highly recommend this recipe. My family loved it. I can’t wait to try more of your recipes.
Hi Deborah! That’s wonderful to hear. I hope you find many recipes here that your family loves.
Easy to follow recipe!! And phenomenal taste!! This was my first time following one of your recipes & I can NOT wait to try another!!! Soooooo Soo good! Looks gorgeous plated and in the pan!!!!! ❤️❤️🤩🤩
This was absolutely, Divine! I now live in a small town with no Chinese food….I am thrilled to find this recipe….it’s better than some restaurants in Los Angeles. SO good! Thanks Natasha!!!
Made this recipe tonight, substitutes made were ground ginger, minced garlic, and frozen broccoli simply because that is what I had on hand. The sauce was delicious! My entire family (including 2 children under 10) enjoyed it.
Love this recipe!! Easy and super delicious!
The flavor was on point! Absolutely amazing dinner. We did half broccoli and half cauliflower. I will definitely save this recipe for future dinners.
This has already become my favorite and a weekly staple at my house. I don’t like other recipes with oyster or hoisin. I’ve already made this a good half dozen times but tonight kicked it up with a chopped habanero and handfull of chopped cilantro and holy smackaroli it was hot and good. I also have experimented with the corn starch level a bit and added another teaspoon or so, I think to account for some extra water because I use frozen broccoli and that helped stabilize the sauce more. Love this and love your site!
Thank you so much for sharing, Whitney!
While I had to cook the meat in batches, this recipe came out AMAZING. So rich and flavorful, it was perfect!
Oh my goodness this is so good I haven’t found a good recipe for beef an broccoli but this one I will be sticking too. Thank you for the recipes!!
You’re so welcome, Savanna!
This recipe makes the best beef and broccoli I’ve ever had! Everything about it is perfect.
Thanks for making my b&b craving happy.
Forgot to give it 5 star💥💥💥💥💥. Every recipe I’ve made of yours has been wonderful.
The sauce is superb! This will be my go to beef and broccoli recipe from now on, perfection.
Thank you so much Jackie!
This sauce is perfect and right on target. I always make extra. My husband isn’t wild about Chinese food but really likes this. I can’t believe the one bad review – clearly that person hasn’t worked with sesame oil before cause I always add slowly no matter how much the recipe calls for – this recipe is awesome!! Thank you 😊
Delicious! I’ve made it several times now and it hasn’t failed, though I like to double the sauce sense my family like to coat the rice in it.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipe.
Excellent recipe ! I always follow your recipe but was inspired today to add orange zest , red pepper flakes to the sauce as well as fried the beef & vegetables with coconut oil. Delicious ! Thank you Natasha for all of your amazing recipes !
That sounds great. You’re very welcome Nicole!
It was perfect !!! Made this exactly as written …. Didn’t change a thing which frustrates me when people give a review and write I added this and changed that … no need for this recipe. You did great Natasha, but then you always do!
Thank you for your kind and lovely comment, Carol! I’m so happy you enjoyed it.
I’ve made this before and we love it. It is definitely my go to. I sometimes add bamboo shoots & water chestnuts. I also sprinkle a littler red pepper flakes. Soooo good
This is absolutely delicious!! It is a part of my meal rotation. My family loves it.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Tonya!
Have been making for years, and it is a family favorite. What is the serving size for the nutrition information? Thanks.
Glad to hear that! You can divide the recipe into 4 to get the exact per serving