Best Beef and Broccoli Recipe - Balancing Motherhood (2024)

Say goodbye to take out and hello to the best Beef and Broccoli you’ve ever tasted! Tender and juicy slices of flank steak stir fries with fresh broccoli and the most amazing and flavorful sauce! It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s so much better than what you’ll find at any local Chinese restaurant.

The BEST Beef and Broccoli Recipe!

Say goodbye to takeout and embrace the joy of homemade Beef and Broccoli that anyone can whip up effortlessly! You might have hesitated to recreate your favorite Chinese dish, thinking it was too complex, but this recipe is here to dispel those doubts. Our super-easy Beef and Broccoli recipe requires just a handful of readily available ingredients and a few simple instructions.

In this one-skillet meal, succulent beef slices mingle with fresh broccoli, creating a hearty, flavorful meal anyone can make. It’s a hassle-free way to satisfy your Chinese food cravings right in the comfort of your kitchen. You’ll have this dish on the table before there’s even time to consider calling for take out.

Why We Love This Broccoli and Beef Recipe

• With this one-skillet meal, everything cooks in one pan making clean up cinch!
• You can have this quick, easy and hearty meal on the dinner table in under 30 minutes. Who needs Chinese takeout when you can make it better yourself?
• The sauce ingredients that coat the broccoli and beef includes just a little sweetness that will convince even your pickiest eaters to eat their veggies!

Easy Beef and Broccoli Recipe Ingredients

• Fresh ginger
• Minced garlic
• Soy sauce (you can use regular soy sauce or low sodium soy sauce)
• Brown sugar
• Cornstarch
• Flank steak
• Fresh broccoli florets
• Olive oil (or any mild tasting cooking oil)
• Water
• Rice (optional)
• Sesame seeds and green onion (optional)

Best Beef for this Broccoli and Beef Recipe

One of the best things about this recipe is that it uses flank steak, which is a super budget-friendly cut of beef. You can also use, skirt steak or flat iron steak.

If you catch chuck roast or sirloin steak on sale, they are both other great options.

Easy Beef and Broccoli Recipe Add-ins & Variations

Next time you make this popular recipe, try some of these variations to change up the flavors and textures:

• There are so many great sauces used in Chinese cooking, like hoisin sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil. They make great additions to this recipe. But if you have never used any of them, start off with just a tiny amount the first time until you see if you like the way they taste. Too much of any of these flavorful sauces can be a little overpowering if too much is added.
• We used white rice, but you can use jasmine rice or brown rice.
• Try adding other veggies! Red or green bell peppers, mushrooms, onions or carrots are all wonderful in this recipe.
• If you want to add more stir-fry dishes to your regular rotation, you can just simply change up the protein in this recipe. Instead of beef, you can use shrimp, chicken or thinly sliced pork tenderloin next time! Of course, the cooking time will vary for each one.

Can I make the Best Beef and Broccoli Recipe in the slow cooker?

While you can, I have to admit that I really prefer it cooked stove top. The slow cooker tends to overcook the broccoli and steams the meat. Plus, this recipe only takes minutes on the stove to cook.

How to Make Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

1. Prepare the Easy Beef and Broccoli Sauce

• In a mixing bowl, combine grated ginger, garlic, hot water, soy sauce, brown sugar and cornstarch, mix well.

2. Sauté the Broccoli

• Cut broccoli into bite size pieces, add to a large skillet with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Sauté over medium heat until broccoli is tender.Remove from the pan.

3. Stir Fry Beef

• Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet, increase to high heat and add beef in a single layer, flip after 2-3 minutes and continue cooking until beef is cooked through.

4. Add Sauce and Broccoli to Beef

• Reduce heat to low, add sauce, simmer for 5 minutes, add broccoli stir to combine.
• If the sauce is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time to reach the desired thickness.
• Serve over white rice, garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Enjoy!

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe Tips

• To make flank steak easier to cut, freeze it for about an hour before you’re ready to cut it.

• Always slice flank steak in thin slices across the grain.

• Make sure the oil is really hot before adding the steak. This sear is what gives steak color and lots of flavor on the outside while leaving the inside nice and juicy.

• Don’t crowd the pan. Layering the slices prevents direct contact with the skillet and the meat will steam instead of sear.

• To make sure you don’t end up with some pieces of broccoli that are soggy while others are too crunchy, try to cut the florets in as even pieces as you can.

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe Storage

How long does beef and broccoli last in the fridge?

Beef and broccoli stir-fry can be safely stored in the refrigerator for approximately 3 to 4 days.

Can I Freeze Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

You sure can! Allow the beef and broccoli to cool to room temperature before adding them to a freezer bag. Make sure you add all the delicious stir fry sauce over the beef and broccoli.

To thaw it, just place the bag in some warm water until it is loose enough to come out of the bag and reheat stovetop.

Reheating Beef and Broccoli:

There are a few methods to reheat beef and broccoli stir fry, and the choice depends on your preference and equipment available:

1. Stovetop Method:
   • Heat a non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of oil to the pan then add the refrigerated beef and broccoli stir fry in the skillet. Reheat until the beef is hot, and the broccoli is tender, usually 5-7 minutes.
2. Microwave Method:
   • Transfer a portion of the stir fry to a microwave-safe dish.
   • Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
   • Heat on medium power in 1-minute increments, stirring between each increment.
   • Continue until the desired temperature is reached. Be cautious not to overheat, as it can make the beef tough.
3. Oven Method:
   • Preheat your oven to around 350°F
   • Transfer the beef and broccoli to an oven-safe dish.
   • Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
   • Heat in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

More Easy Dinners like this Easy Beef and Broccoli Recipe

• Taco Bake with Crescent Rolls
• Mini Meatloaf
• Easy Chili
• Cheeseburger Casserole
• Skillet Lasagna
• Sheet Pan Fajitas