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
This was amazing! I’ll be making this often! It tastes just like a restaurant.
THat’s just awesome! Sounds like you found a new favorite.
Can this be done in an instant pot.so much h enjoy your recipes. Thanks
Hi Rose, I haven’t tested that in an Instant Pot to advise. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
Is it necessary to add the brown sugar? I’m a diabetic and would like to skip that ingredient.
Hi Kerri, I haven’t tried this without brown sugar yet but I imagine that should also work. You might have to experiment on that but please share with us how it goes if you give it a try.
Kerri,
We omit the brown sugar from this recipe because of my wife’s diet, but she does drizzle a slight amount of honey and that works amazing.
Thank you for sharing that with us Garry!
My husband is diabetic, too. Splenda makes a brown sugar that is “diabetic safe,” so to speak. I use it in all recipes that call for brown sugar. It’s great!!
Thanks, I’m so glad that worked well!
Made this last night. It was awesome! The key is getting that beef cut really thin to make it nice and crispy. I am making this again tonight!
Yes! Slicing it thin is key! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe Chad!
Hi Natasha, I made the beef and broccoli for dinner and I used flank steak I cut it and cooked the same way you did but mine turned out so chewey and tough, but the broccoli and the sauce are delicious, what other kind of meat I can use. Thank you so much
Hi Alma, the key with flank steak is to cut it as thinly as possible.
After four months at sea got home yesterday and made this. Nice easy recipe with great flavours. My three fussy eater kids really enjoyed so real result
That is awesome! I’m glad you and your kids enjoyed this recipe.
Quick, easy, and delicious. Is the nutrition info per serving or for the whole recipe?
Hi Linda, we post the nutritional info by serving.
Made this for dinner tonight, was deelishis. Just added a few red pepper flakes for a little heat. Thanks!
So great to hear that, Ronnie. Thank you!
I don’t have fresh ginger or garlic. How much ground ginger and minced garlic from jar should I use?
Hi Kelly, I have only tried this with fresh but that should still work. Most of the dry bottles have conversions listed on the side. I also recommend a google search to find the equivalent.
I made this last night for dinner and it was a hit! One thing I did by mistake was to add some Worchester sauce (A couple of shots) because I mistake it for the Soy sauce when grabbing the bottle. I will make it again for lunch today and not add the Worchester sauce….lol!
I hope you love it with the soy sauce Derek!
Hi Natasha,
Just made this tonight and it was amazing. No leftovers. I took a pic but don’t have any social media accounts so how can I send it to you.
That’s alright, Julie. I am already happy to know that you loved this recipe!
Absolutely delicious. Used oyster sauce instead of brown sugar, and added some red bell peppers to the broccoli. Turned out fantastic! Recipe was easy to follow and exactly what I wanted.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Cameron! Thank you for that wonderful review!
This is my go to broccoli beef recipe, and it’s the best one I’ve tried. Love all of your recipes and videos.
Thank you so much for your great feedback!
Hi Natasha! Thanks for another great recipe! Do you think I could add maple syrup or white sugar instead of brown sugar?
Hello Asela, thank you! I haven’t tried this without brown sugar yet but I imagine that should also work. You might have to experiment on that but please share with us how it goes if you give it a try.
Great recipe!!! My family LOVES broccoli beef but I don’t love going out to eat. When I made this, my whole family said it’s better than take out!! (Also it’s much less expensive.) Thank you so much for this great recipe.
That is awesome! Homemade is definitely always better and cheaper. Thanks for your wonderful feedback!
That is an awesome recipe! The sauce turned into glaze in the cast iron pan, but even better!
Yum! Totally craving this right now! Thank you for that wonderful review!
Hi! I made this tonight and it’s so delicious!! I’ve tried several other recipes and it either comes out too salty or too thin. One question though – does you nutrition info/calorie count include the white rice? My guess is no, but wanted to double check! Thanks!
You’re right, rice is not counted. I am glad you loved it!
I made this tonight after going to three stores looking for sesame oil, which I found and glad I did! I used top sirloin grilling steak and the meat was so tender. I added a few tablespoons of water at end so sauce covered the broccoli well. My adult son (with a discerning palate) came back to kitchen to tell me it tasted really good, so I knew it turned out well! My teenage daughter really enjoyed it too. This meal was so delicious. I savoured every bite! It honestly tasted better than takeout and something that one would find in an authentic restaurant somewhere in Asia! I give it a 9.8 as perfection is nearly impossible but this was close to it. THANK YOU Natasha for the great recipe and video. This meal was the highlight of our day! I will make this again!
That’s just awesome Vita! Thank you for that great review! I’m so glad you all enjoyed that!
Natasha,
Could I use spaghetti instead of rice for the bet. My husband is not fond of rice.
Hi Mary, I haven’t tested that but I bet it could work! If you experiment please let me know how you like that!
Made this recipe tonight and it was amazing. I absolutely loved the sauce, and wish I made more. I think it’s better than Chinese restaurants beef & broccoli. Thank you!
What an awesome comment, thank you for sharing!
Hello, the first time I made this I didn’t have broccoli so I used asparagus, it came out super tasty. The second time I made this I didn’t have broccoli or asparagus so I used French green beans, it came out tasty too. The third time I made this I had broccoli and made it according to the recipe and it came out splendid. Now, I’m about to make it a fourth time and I have all three vegetables but everyone in my household agrees that it tastes way better with asparagus so I’ll be using that instead 😅
Wow thank you so much for sharing that with us, that’s very useful especially for others who would like to try something else aside from broccoli. We appreciate it!