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
I have always been scared to try stir fry recipes at home, but this was super easy and it turned out delicious! If I were to make it with chicken next time, would you recommend the same marinade?
Thanks again for sharing your recipes!
Hi Jenny, I haven’t tested that with chicken but I think it would work well. If you experiment, please let me know how you enjoyed it.
This really was the best beef and broccoli sauce I’ve ever made!!! The taste and consistency is exactly like how a good Chinese restaurant would make it!
That’s awesome feedback, thanks for sharing that with us Joanne!
Natashas, can you use stew beef that is thinly sliced, I ask because that is what I have in my freezer and the other cuts of meat you suggest are a little above my price range.
I bet that could work. The results may be slightly different but watch that meat closely so it doesn’t dry out.
Hi Natasha I wonder if London broil pieces of beef will work for this recipe?
Thanks
Hi Nina, if you cut the meat very thinly and don’t overcook, I think it could work well. Thick pieces might be too chewy and tough.
This is the most delicious recipe. Making it for the 2nd time. Wow. I make many of your recipes and this is a favorite
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!
we’ve been using prime sirloin cap from costco. Usually less than $7/lb. It has gotten as low as $4.69/lb.
You don’t have to cut it as thin as flank steak.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us!
This was such a wonderful recipe and used ingredients that I already had on hand. I doubled the sauce, as well as the meat. Was too lazy to grate, so I just chopped the garlic and ginger. I’m new to your site, and it’s already been a blessing to my family. My husband commented that this was the best beef and broccoli dish that he has ever tasted! Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I’m so happy to know that my recipes have helped you a lot.
This was delicious and easy!! I definitely be making it again!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe Jessica! Thank you for that wonderful review.
This recipe works well with any high quality left-over steak. I had some left-over beef tenderloin from Costco that wasn’t enough for a main course, so I used it in this dish and the results were beyond great!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me! I’m so happy you liked this recipe!
I just tried this recipe and it trully is delocious and so easy to make!
I’m so glad you enjoyed that Karla! Thank you for that awesome review.
Can you freeze this meal? I’m the only one in the family that will eat the broccoli, but I would love to freeze it for myself for easy nights.
Hi Meg, I haven’t tried freezing that but I imagine it does freeze and reheat well.
Well, having fresh broccoli in the garden, makes this meal even better, it was so good! I had a little over a lb of ribeye in the freezer and used that it, it was so,so good! Thank you Natasha for helping us out, we seem to run out of idea’s sometimes for a healthy dinner. Have a great day!
Garden fresh is always best! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
I made this last night for my husband and kids, and everyone loved it! The steak turned out very tender and flavorful. The only thing I added was a TBSP of oyster sauce to the stir fry sauce. Delicious!
Thanks for the awesome review, Lori and for sharing about the oyster sauce. I should try that next time!
I use Oyster sauce in mine also. Gives a bit more asian flavor I think. (and I had some and decided I needed to use it. Worked great)
This recipe is outstanding. My family of four loved it. I doubled the recipe for the big eaters and had leftovers the next day. Leftovers are even better because all the flavors marinated together perfectly. I add a little crushed red pepper.
Love your feedback Marianne! Really happy to know that your family loved this recipe.
This recipe is outstanding! My family of four loved it. Leftovers are even better, believe me! Thank you so much!
Loves this recipe. Great tips for slicing the steak. Sauce was delicious but I might try less ginger next time. I burnt my intant pot rice intended to go with this and made spaghetti to have a lomein type meal. We loved it. Added other veggies too. This dish was a winner!
That’s so great! Thank you for that wonderful review! I’m so glad you enjoyed this!
Just made this for dinner. Delicious! I’m just disappointed everyone loved it so there are no leftovers.
I’m so glad you all enjoyed this, Terri! Looks like you’ll need a double batch next time!
I made this tonight and it was SOOOO good! Thank you for your recipes. They never disappoint and your videos are fun to watch.
I’m so glad Jenny! Thank you for that amazing feedback!
This was fantastic even my picky eater loved it,used basmati rice 1 cup and the beef and broccoli came to 55 carbs very filling.
Thank you for that wonderful review, Kim! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
This is really good. I make a recipe of ground Turkey with a similar sauce in lettuce wraps they are wonderful as well.
I’m so glad you liked this recipe, Donna! Thank you for sharing the turkey version with us.
How much would you say is a serving size?
Hi Jan, this makes for 4 servings. Usually, this recipes call for 1 to 1.5 cups per serving.