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
Use cold or luke warm water in the stirfry sauce or the cornstarch will form a lump and not desolve in the hot water. I treated the beef with baking soda for 20 minutes and rinsed it off to make it super silky. Easy!
I thought the recipe was lacking in flavour. I had to add more soya sauce in the end. Also, meat should be tenderized before frying. I also had to throw out a lot of the water that came out of the meat after frying.
Hi, it sounds like the beef was steam cooked which would release liquid, water down the sauce and result in tough beef. Make sure to cut the beef against the grain into very thin slices and also make sure the pan is very hot before adding the beef. If you have a smaller pan or more beef, you’ll need to cook in batches since crowding the pan results in a quick drop in temperature and steam cooked beef. I hope that helps for next time.
Awesome recipe! Better than many restaurants. Definitely a keeper.
Used ground ginger as we didn’t have any fresh ginger in the house. Served over brown jasmine rice.
it was delicious. I was out of ginger. I only had ground ginger so I opted to not use it. It’s still turned out. Great family loved it.
Hi Dolores! I’m glad the family loved it! Thank you for that feedback!
This sounds delicious. However question i am allergic to sesame is there an alternative to sesame sauce?
I do not recommend skipping the sesame oil as it gives authentic flavor and I have not tried any substitution for it yet.
So good! Easy too!! I was missing this since I don’t ever get to eat out. So I decided to make it for myself. Did not disappoint. I think this beef and broccoli recipe has better flavor than most restaurants I use to go to. Thanks for sharing!
You’re very welcome!
Beef and broccoli stir fry. this is one of the best recipe my family just love it.
So happy to hear that!
I used only half the sugar. So glad that I did! It would have been too sweet for my family. Great recipe overall!
I was looking for ideas for leftover steak and came across this recipe. It’s delicious!
This one is a keeper!
What do you suggest to substitute for the sugar?
Hi Cindy. You can use some thing like honey or maple syrup, possibly.
1st review I ever left . This is awesome ! 12/10 I used flap steak and it was delish ! Doubled the sauce and veggies . Super! Thanks so much for this recipe . Was so easy as well ! Pair it with Jasmine rice too .
Thank you so much, Ally! I’m glad you loved it!
I did exactly what Ally did. It was absolutely phenomenal.
This recipe is in our regular meal rotation at home. We love it!!
That’s great to hear, Rauna!
Super delicious, and easy to create. I will make this over and over again. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Michele! That’s great to hear. Thank you for sharing.
This was very easy and flavorful. The only thing I did different was used presliced beef from grocery meat dept. and marinated it in 1/4 c of the sauce before sautéing. 5 stars. Sorry no photo it was gone before I thought about a pic. 🤦🏻♀️
This is my go-to recipe for beef & broccoli, 🥦 and definitely a family favorite!
We r on a low carb diet can I replace sugar for honey or sugar free syrup?
Hi Jennifer! Yes, that should work too. Hope you enjoy it!
This was definitely a hit! Very flavorful and I will definitely be making the homemade sauce again! Yum!
Awesome meal, sauce was amazing, my wife never compliments meals we find but had rave reviews including the added favor from the fresh ginger
That’s so great to hear, Noah! Thank you.
Wow. This is legit restaurant quality — even better with that fresh ginger. I will never order this dish out again. Freakin delish
So happy to hear that, Elena! Thank you for sharing.
Husband & I loved this! I added some thin sliced red bell pepper & matchstick carrots to the broccoli when cooking. This will be a regular for us!