Quick Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Quick Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is a flavorful and nutritious weeknight dinner featuring tender slices of beef and crisp broccoli florets cooked in a savory soy-garlic-ginger sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan meal balances bold flavors with easy preparation and minimal cleanup, perfect for a fast yet comforting home-cooked dish.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Beef and Vegetables
- 8 oz flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 3 cups broccoli florets, bite-sized
- 2 green onions, chopped (optional garnish)
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon freshly minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon freshly minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (or arrowroot powder / potato starch as substitute)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Oils for Cooking
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (high smoke point)
- Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the beef thinly against the grain for tenderness. Chop the broccoli into bite-sized florets. Mince the garlic and ginger. Mix together soy sauce, brown sugar (or honey), cornstarch, and sesame oil in a small bowl to make the sauce.
- Cook the Broccoli: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add broccoli and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender but still crisp. Remove broccoli from the pan and set aside.
- Sear the Beef: Add remaining vegetable oil to the same pan. Spread the sliced beef in a single layer and sear without stirring for 1-2 minutes to develop a crust. Then stir and cook until beef is mostly browned but still juicy.
- Add Aromatics and Sauce: Stir in minced garlic and ginger quickly to release fragrance without burning. Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and bring to a simmer to thicken.
- Combine Broccoli and Beef: Return the broccoli to the pan and gently toss everything together to coat with the sauce. Cook an additional 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and flavors meld perfectly.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds on top if desired. Serve immediately with steamed rice, noodles, or your preferred side.
Notes
- Slice beef thinly against the grain to keep it tender and juicy.
- Use high heat to sear beef and broccoli quickly, preserving texture and flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed to avoid steaming.
- Optionally marinate beef briefly in soy sauce and cornstarch for 10 minutes to boost flavor and tenderness.
- Mix sauce ingredients thoroughly before adding to avoid lumps.
- Substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free version.
- Swap beef for chicken, tofu, or shrimp for variations.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms for more texture and color.
- For a spicy kick, add chili flakes or sliced fresh chilies.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days, or freeze up to 2 months.
- Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave adding a splash of water or broth if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: beef stir fry, quick dinner, broccoli stir fry, easy Asian recipe, weeknight meal, gluten free stir fry