Description
Quick and easy Beef and Broccoli stir-fry, featuring tender flank steak and crisp-tender broccoli in a flavorful Asian-inspired sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional, but highly recommended!)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Cooked white rice, brown rice, or quinoa
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- Green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced flank steak, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Make sure the beef is well coated with the marinade. Massage the marinade into the beef for a minute or two. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
- Cook the Broccoli: While the beef is marinating, prepare the broccoli. Wash the broccoli head thoroughly and cut it into bite-sized florets. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets to the hot skillet and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes, or until they start to turn bright green and slightly tender. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and stir-fry for another 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Pour in 1/4 cup of water and quickly cover the skillet with a lid. Steam the broccoli for 2-3 minutes, or until it is tender-crisp. Remove the broccoli from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, oyster sauce (if using), cornstarch, sesame oil, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set the sauce aside for later.
- Cook the Beef and Assemble the Dish: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in the same skillet or wok over high heat. Add the marinated beef to the hot skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until it is browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside. Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Cook the sauce for 1-2 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly. Add the cooked beef and broccoli back to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for another minute or two, or until everything is heated through. Serve the beef and broccoli over cooked white rice, brown rice, or quinoa. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Choose the Right Cut of Beef: Flank steak is a great choice for stir-fries because it’s relatively lean and cooks quickly. However, you can also use sirloin steak or even skirt steak. Just make sure to slice the beef thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- Don’t Overcook the Beef: Overcooked beef is tough and dry. The key is to sear it quickly over high heat and remove it from the skillet as soon as it’s cooked through.
- Use Fresh Broccoli: Fresh broccoli has the best flavor and texture. Look for broccoli heads that are firm and green with tightly closed florets.
- Adjust the Sauce to Your Taste: The sauce is the heart of this dish, so don’t be afraid to adjust it to your liking. If you like a sweeter sauce, add more brown sugar. If you like a spicier sauce, add more red pepper flakes.
- Make it a Meal Prep Staple: Beef and Broccoli is fantastic for meal prepping. Store it in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat.
- Variations: Add other vegetables, substitute the beef with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version, use different sauces, or serve over noodles.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes