Craving delicious takeout but short on time? This easy 20-minute beef and broccoli recipe delivers all the flavor you love, right in your kitchen! Say goodbye to greasy delivery and hello to a fresh, fast, and incredibly satisfying meal. You’ll enjoy tender, thinly sliced beef, crisp-tender broccoli florets, and a rich, savory sauce, all cooked in one pan for ultimate convenience. Perfect for busy weeknights, this homemade beef and broccoli recipe will become your new favorite.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Beef and Broccoli Recipe
This fantastic beef and broccoli recipe is a game-changer for busy home cooks. It’s incredibly fast to prepare, offering a fresh and healthier alternative to traditional takeout meals. You’ll achieve delicious, restaurant-quality flavor with simple ingredients, impressing everyone at your table. The rich, balanced garlicky soy sauce coats every piece beautifully, ensuring a flavorful bite every time. Enjoy perfectly tender beef slices and crisp broccoli, cooked just right. Plus, the easy one-pan cooking means minimal cleanup, making weeknight dinners stress-free.
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch, divided
- 1 pound flank steak, cut into thin 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 3 Tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 4 cups small broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup sliced white onions
Notes & Substitutions
Crafting a great beef and broccoli recipe starts with understanding your ingredients. Cornstarch is key, providing that signature velvety texture to the beef and thickening the rich sauce to perfection. Opt for low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness; regular soy sauce can make the dish overpoweringly salty. Brown sugar adds a crucial hint of sweetness, balancing the savory notes in the sauce. For the best flavor, always use fresh garlic and ginger; if using jarred or dried, reduce the amount. For convenience, try grating fresh ginger and freezing it for later use. Any high-smoke point vegetable oil, like canola or grapeseed, works well for stir-frying. Ensure your broccoli florets are small for even cooking, or consider blanching them for vibrant color and a tender-crisp texture. Thinly sliced onions integrate seamlessly into the dish, cooking down quickly to add a subtle sweetness.
The Best Cuts of Beef for Beef and Broccoli
Choosing the right cut of beef is essential for a tender and delicious beef and broccoli recipe. Flank steak is a classic choice, known for its rich flavor and ability to cook quickly when sliced thinly against the grain. Chuck steak offers a more budget-friendly option; slice it thin and consider a quick marinade to tenderize it. Top sirloin provides a flavorful and relatively tender experience, making it a great all-around option. Skirt steak, especially the outside skirt, is similar to flank steak in texture and takes well to quick cooking. For a truly premium, melt-in-your-mouth experience, beef tenderloin is an excellent, albeit pricier, choice.
Many culinary experts agree that flank steak is a popular and excellent choice for stir-fries due to its flavor and quick cooking time.
Pro Tip: For easier and more uniform thin slicing, place your steak in the freezer for 20-30 minutes before cutting. This firms up the meat, making it much simpler to get those perfect, even strips against the grain.
Equipment
You don’t need fancy gadgets to make this simple beef and broccoli recipe! A large nonstick skillet or a wok is essential for efficient stir-frying. Gather basic prep tools like a sharp chef’s knife and a sturdy cutting board. A whisk and a few mixing bowls will help with preparing the sauce and coating the beef. Finally, a slotted spoon makes it easy to handle the beef during cooking.
Instructions
This quick and easy beef and broccoli recipe comes together in minutes. Follow these simple steps for a perfect meal every time.
- Prepare the Beef: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water. Add the beef slices to this mixture and toss them thoroughly to coat each piece. This “velveting” technique helps tenderize the beef and gives it a smooth texture.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate small bowl, combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with the low sodium soy sauce, packed light brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger. Whisk all these ingredients together until the sauce is completely smooth and no lumps of cornstarch remain. Set this flavorful sauce aside.
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large nonstick sauté pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil to the hot pan. Once the oil shimmers, add the cornstarch-coated beef. Cook, stirring constantly, until the beef is almost cooked through, about 2-3 minutes. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked beef to a plate and set it aside for later.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same pan. Once the oil is hot, add the small broccoli florets and thinly sliced white onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is tender-crisp and vibrant green, which usually takes about 4 minutes.
To ensure food safety when stir-frying, it’s important to make sure all vegetables reach a proper temperature. Health and food safety guidelines for stir-fries suggest cooking all ingredients thoroughly.
- Combine and Thicken: Return the cooked beef to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the beef and broccoli. Bring the entire mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute. The cornstarch in the sauce will activate, causing it to thicken slightly, coating the beef and vegetables beautifully.
- Serve Immediately: Once the sauce has thickened and coated everything, your delicious beef and broccoli recipe is ready! Serve it hot over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or your favorite Asian noodles for a complete meal. Enjoy your homemade takeout!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Mastering this simple beef and broccoli recipe is easy with a few key tricks. Prep ahead by chopping all your ingredients and mixing the sauce before you start cooking. This “mise en place” is crucial for stir-frying’s fast pace. Don’t use regular soy sauce unless you prefer a very salty dish; low-sodium is best. Blanch broccoli briefly in boiling water before adding it to the stir-fry for a truly vibrant color and tender-crisp texture. High heat stir-frying is essential for quickly searing the beef and achieving crisp vegetables. Always boil the sauce for at least a minute to properly activate the cornstarch, ensuring a thick, glossy finish. Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking the beef; cook in batches if needed to ensure proper searing instead of steaming. Finally, always adjust sweetness and saltiness by tasting the sauce and adding a pinch more sugar or a splash more soy sauce to your liking.
Serving, Storage, and Variations
This versatile beef and broccoli stir-fry recipe is perfect for customizing!
Serving Suggestions
Serve your delicious beef and broccoli over classic white or brown rice for a complete meal. It also pairs wonderfully with lo mein or other Asian noodles for a heartier dish. Consider serving it with side dishes like fried rice or garlic green beans to round out your meal.
Storage
Store any leftover beef and broccoli recipe in an airtight container once it has cooled completely. Refrigerate it promptly for up to 3 days.
Reheating
To reheat, use a stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave it in short bursts, stirring occasionally. Avoid overcooking during reheating to maintain the tender texture of the beef and crispness of the broccoli.
Variations
Feel free to add different vegetables like sliced carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas for extra color and nutrients. Spice it up with a pinch of chili flakes or a drizzle of sriracha for a kick. Garnish your finished dish with toasted sesame seeds or thinly sliced green onions for added flavor and visual appeal.
Nutrition
Please note that these nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods. This beef and broccoli recipe offers a balanced meal with protein and vegetables.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 332 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 25g |
| Protein | 28g |
| Fat | 13g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Cholesterol | 68mg |
| Sodium | 1156mg |
| Potassium | 772mg |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 11g |
| Vitamin A | 565IU |
| Vitamin C | 83.2mg |
| Calcium | 88mg |
| Iron | 3.1mg |
FAQ
Q: Can I use frozen broccoli in this beef and broccoli recipe?
A: Yes, you can! Thaw it first and pat it dry to remove excess moisture before adding to the pan. You might need to adjust cooking time slightly.
Q: Can this be made ahead for meal prep?
A: While best fresh, you can prep ingredients ahead. Slice the beef, mix the sauce, and chop vegetables, storing them separately in the fridge. Cook just before serving.
Q: How should I store and reheat leftovers?
A: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through, avoiding overcooking.
Conclusion
This easy 20-minute beef and broccoli recipe proves that delicious, homemade meals don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. You’ve just created a takeout favorite that’s fresher, faster, and tailored to your taste. With tender beef, crisp broccoli, and a savory sauce, it’s the perfect weeknight solution for busy parents and beginners alike. We hope you love making this simple yet satisfying dish. Try this amazing beef and broccoli recipe tonight and let us know what you think in the comments below!
Easy 20-Minute Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Small Bowl
- large nonstick sauté pan
- slotted spoon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch divided
- 1 pound flank steak cut into thin 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar packed
- 1 Tablespoon garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger grated
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil divided
- 4 cups broccoli florets small
- 1/2 cup white onions sliced
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- Whisk 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water in a large bowl, then add and toss the beef to coat.
- In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger to create the sauce; set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick sauté pan over medium heat, cook beef until almost done, then remove and set aside.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to the pan, then cook broccoli florets and sliced onions for about 4 minutes until tender.
- Return beef to the pan, add the prepared sauce, bring to a boil, and cook for 1 minute until slightly thickened. Serve with rice or noodles.