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
Delicious, LOVED IT
Definitely a keeper.
So happy to hear that, Jennifer.
I am making this for a Chinese New Year dinner tomorrow and I don’t want to stand in my friend’s kitchen, stir-frying, so I plan on making it ahead. If anyone has done this and has any tips on how-to, I’d appreciate hearing from you!
Hi! This recipe reheats well. We’ve even used it for meal prep.
So good ! You be amazed how fast it is to make
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This was the best beef & broccoli I have ever made. I used frozen broccoli (because that’s what I had on hand), so cooked it in the microwave and just stirred it in after the sauce started to thicken. It was delicious!!
That’s so great to hear. Thank you for the feedback.
I adore beef and broccoli and this is far and above the BEST sauce ever! I do add in a few slices of onion with the broccoli but otherwise follow the recipe exactly! ❤️
Hi Linda! I’m so glad you love this recipe. We agree, the sauce is so good!
I added tea pods water chestnut and some diced mushrooms which I think elevated the dish and gave it some texture with the water chestnuts I am not a professional cook but the dish turned out awesome
Those additions sound great!
Was a lot easier than I’d expected, as a new cook! Was super delicious as well! Thank you!
our lunch yesterday. so tasty 😋😋 will be repeating
Our new favorite meal! I followed the recipe exactly and it was delicious. Was even a hit with my toddler who ate seconds.
Definitely going in the rotation.
Thank you for a winner
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit, Stacy! Thank you for sharing.
This was the best beef & broccoli I have ever made. I used frozen broccoli (because that’s what I had on hand), so cooked it in the microwave and just stirred it in after the sauce started to thicken. It was delicious!!
Tonight was my second time making this and the flavors are spot on! I love being able to make and enjoy this at home. In my opinion (along with my husband), it’s superior to any restaurant style. Thank you Natasha for another winner!
My family & I loved this recipe! Although I did not have fresh Ginger I added powdered ginger the recipe came out wonderfully the toddlers also loved it! I will make this again 😉
So happy it was enjoyed by the family, Vee!
Absolutely delicious. Love your recipes 💚
So happy you’re loving them.
Great recipe! I added onions and shredded carrots too!
Great flavor and easy to make. My family loved it. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Tastes as good as restaurant style, next time I will double tge recipe
So happy to hear you loved the recipe!
This was amazing and my toddler had seconds ! Easy enough for a weeknight without sacrificing taste.
Wondering if I could make the sauce and freeze it to make this even faster for next time.
Thank you !
I’m so happy it was a hit, Stacy!
This is INCREDIBLE! MY entire family loves it! THANK YOU Natasha for making me better cook.
You missed the most important part – velveting the beef before cooking
Hi Tom, velveteen or tenderizing beef is a great idea if it’s a less expensive cut that tends to be a little tougher. With the cut I am using above, it is an extra step and not required.
Great recipe. Needed salt and pepper to taste, as well as some red pepper flakes, but both my wife and I loved it.
Thank you for sharing, Bob! I’m glad that you and your wife enjoyed the recipe.
For the best tasting sauce I’ve ever had with Asian food. I always add a little bit of. Zhong sauce.. it just makes all the Asian food so much better. It is on the heated side, so make sure you test how much you put. Unbelievable sauce.
I am longing to make this, Natasha, but am on Keto. I can substitute Swerve brown sugar for regular, but could you please tell me if your nutritional count includes the rice, which I would skip? Thank you. Can’t wait to try.
Hi Suzanne! I think that would be fine. The nutrition facts listed are just for the ingredients in the recipe card. The rice is not included.
This was absolutely scrumptious! I followed the recipe exactly except for adding some mushrooms with the broccoli. I took the added step of toasting the sesame seeds to garnish and it was worth it. I’ll definitely make this again. Who needs takeout when this is so much tastier?! Thank you, Natasha!
You’re very welcome, Melisa! So glad you enjoyed it.