Description
This classic Beef and Broccoli recipe features tender flank steak and crisp-tender broccoli florets sautéed in a savory homemade sauce made with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a touch of brown sugar. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect quick and healthy stir-fry meal served over fluffy white rice, garnished with toasted sesame seeds for an added nutty crunch.
Ingredients
Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
- 1 lb flank steak (very thinly sliced into bite-sized strips)
- 1 lb fresh broccoli (cut into 6 cups of florets)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil (or vegetable oil), divided
- 2 tsp sesame seeds (optional garnish)
- 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 gluten-free Tamari)
- 3 Tbsp packed light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp corn starch
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
Additional
- White rice (to serve, quantity as desired)
Instructions
- Prep: Start cooking white rice first so that it is ready when the stir fry is finished. Cover the flank steak and freeze it for 30 minutes to firm it up for easier slicing, then thinly slice against the grain into bite-sized strips.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine the grated ginger, grated garlic, hot water, low sodium soy sauce, light brown sugar, corn starch, black pepper, and sesame oil. Stir well to dissolve the sugar and corn starch mixture and set the sauce aside.
- Cook Broccoli: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the broccoli florets and sauté for 4–5 minutes, partially covered with a lid, stirring or tossing several times until the broccoli turns bright green and becomes crisp-tender. For softer broccoli, add 2 tablespoons of water before covering to steam the broccoli. Remove the broccoli from the pan and set aside.
- Cook Beef: Increase the heat to high and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the sliced beef in a single layer and sauté for about 2 minutes on each side or just until the beef is cooked through. Test a piece to ensure doneness.
- Add Sauce and Combine: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the beef, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 3–4 minutes while stirring as the sauce thickens. Add the cooked broccoli back into the pan and stir to combine everything evenly. If the sauce is too thick, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to thin it to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve the beef and broccoli stir fry over freshly cooked white rice and garnish with sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Freezing the flank steak for 30 minutes before slicing makes it much easier to cut thin, even strips.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free Tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar to taste for a sweeter or less sweet sauce.
- Add a splash of water while cooking broccoli if you prefer it softer and steamed rather than crisp.
- Use a large skillet or wok for best stir-fry results with enough room to cook ingredients evenly.
- This recipe pairs well with steamed white rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese-American