This Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is so quick and easy to make – whip it up in 30 minutes with strips of tender beef, healthy broccoli and simple ingredients.
Nothing beats those quick and easy recipes when you have a bunch of hungry people complaining in the kitchen ? But it’s even worse to take little kids out to eat, so this is one of my favorite ways to make takeout right at home!
What I love most about this recipe? I don’t have to run to a specialty store to buy seven different sauces and spices. I have most of these in my pantry all the time – the one I buy especially for Asian-inspired recipes is toasted sesame oil.
But that’s one, and not seven, so I figure it’s fine to call it fuss-free ?
Ingredients you’ll need
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!
Ingredient notes
Beef: Please do yourself a favor and use a tender cut of beef that cooks quickly.
Something like beef round cut into strips is perfect. I know there’s many delicious recipes for crock pot beef and broccoli out there, but this one is a quick variation so you need a quick-cooking cut of beef.
Beef broth: if you don’t have any beef broth on hand, you can use chicken broth. the sauce will be less rich, but still delicious.
Toasted sesame oil: this does add a nice flavor, but it’s an ingredient I know not everybody has on hand. Just use a neutral oil to replace it, and sprinkle the dish with sesame seeds before serving, if you have those.
Brown sugar: calm down, people, it’s just 1 teaspoon ? if you want to avoid the sugar, use honey/maple syrup or skip it completely.
Broccoli: I used fresh, but frozen broccoli is OK, too. I would defrost before using it, and you’ll have to be OK with it being a little more mushy.
How to make a Beef and Broccoli stir fry
1. Start by whisking together all ingredients for the sauce in a medium bowl.
Then, add the beef and stir well. Set this aside while you continue with the recipe, this will allow the beef to marinate for a few minutes.
2. Now, stir-fry the broccoli florets in a little oil until they’re just tender.
As soon as the broccoli is done, remove it from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
3. Add the beef and all of the marinade to the pan. Cook it until the beef has reached your preferred doneness.
This will only take 30 seconds to 2 minutes if you use the right cut of beef! So make sure you do not overcook your meat.
4. Finally, stir the broccoli into the beef. Cook it for 30-60 seconds, until the broccoli is heated through and the sauce has thickened to your liking.
Make sure to check for seasoning and add additional soy sauce or salt as needed!
Recipe tips
- make sure you use the right cut of beef and cut it into even strips against the grain for best results
- don’t overcook the beef or it will turn out tough
- don’t overcook the broccoli either, or it will get smashed when you stir it into the beef and sauce
- if you want, you can marinate the beef in the fridge for a couple of hours. I do not recommend marinating this specific cut for longer or even overnight, as it doesn’t need tenderizing. You only marinate it to get the flavor.
Serving ideas
We love this served over rice, but Asian noodles work really well, too – when I make noodles, I toss them in the skillet with the beef and broccoli to coat them in the sauce. So good!
This would also work well with zucchini noodles for a low carb dinner, for you crazies out there ?
More restaurant style dinners made at home
PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.
Printable recipe
Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Recipe details
Ingredients
For the beef:
- ½ cup beef broth
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar more or less to taste
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon dried onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried garlic powder or more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger or more to taste
- minced fresh garlic and minced fresh ginger to taste (I use 1 teaspoon each)
- 1 pound beef round cut into thin, bite-sized strips; or another TENDER cut like flank steak
For the broccoli:
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 pound broccoli cut into small-ish florets
Instructions
- Marinate beef:Whisk beef broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, cornstarch and spices (and fresh garlic/ginger, if using) together in a medium bowl. Stir in the beef and set aside.
- Cook broccoli:Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the broccoli and stir fry until just tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- Cook beef:Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the beef with the marinade to the hot pan and stir-fry until beef is just cooked, 30 seconds to 2 minutes (depending on how done you want it).
- Finish dish:Stir the broccoli into the beef and simmer for 30-60 seconds, until sauce has thickened. Add more soy sauce or salt to taste.
Notes
Ingredient notes
Beef: Please do yourself a favor and use a tender cut of beef that cooks quickly. Something like beef round or flank steak cut into strips is perfect. I know there’s many delicious recipes for crock pot beef and broccoli out there, but this one is a quick variation so you need a quick-cooking cut of beef. Beef broth: if you don’t have any beef broth on hand, you can use chicken broth. the sauce will be less rich, but still delicious. Toasted sesame oil: this does add a nice flavor, but it’s an ingredient I know not everybody has on hand. Just use a neutral oil to replace it, and sprinkle the dish with sesame seeds before serving, if you have those. Brown sugar: calm down, people, it’s just 1 teaspoon ? if you want to avoid the sugar, use honey/maple syrup or skip it completely. Broccoli: I used fresh, but frozen broccoli is OK, too. I would defrost before using it, and you’ll have to be OK with it being a little more mushy.Recipe tips
- make sure you use the right cut of beef and cut it into even strips against the grain for best results
- don’t overcook the beef or it will turn out tough
- don’t overcook the broccoli either, or it will get smashed when you stir it into the beef and sauce
- if you want, you can marinate the beef in the fridge for a couple of hours. I do not recommend marinating this specific cut for longer or even overnight, as it doesn’t need tenderizing. You only marinate it to get the flavor.
T Floyd says
Delicious and so easy and quick to make! Thank you for this great recipe.
Trudy says
Not enough cornstarch. Otherwise good
Patti says
My husband said “be sure and save this recipe.” I added yellow bell pepper and onions and fresh garlic because we like lots of veggies.
Genelle Anton says
Absolutely delicious!!! Followed the recipe exactly! I used frozen broccoli. Thawed it a little, drained it in a sieve, put it in a hot skillet until it was dry and starting to char a tiny bit. Transferred to a plate, and did the meat that marinated for 30 minutes, added the broccoli when the meat was done. Broccoli was not mushy at all! Recipe is a keeper!!!!
Linette Lashly says
Thank you for the replacement ingredient ideas. i was able to make this while camping with my limited ingredients it was delicious ?
Linette Lashly
Nora says
I’m so glad, Linette!
Ernie says
My first time making your recipe and it was fabulous thank you so much.🤓
Donna says
Husband loved it. Very easy recipe. I will definitely be making this again