Description
This Beef and Broccoli recipe is a quick and delicious stir-fry dish featuring tender flank steak and crisp-tender broccoli florets coated in a flavorful, slightly sweet soy sauce. Perfect for an easy 30-minute meal, it pairs beautifully with steamed white rice for a satisfying and nutritious dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Beef and Broccoli
- 1 lb flank steak (very thinly sliced into bite-sized strips)
- 1 lb fresh broccoli (cut into 6 cups of florets)
- 2 tsp sesame seeds (optional garnish)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil (or vegetable oil), divided
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
Sauce
- 1 tsp fresh ginger (grated, loosely packed)
- 2 tsp garlic (grated, from 3 cloves)
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 6 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce (or GF Tamari)
- 3 Tbsp packed light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp corn starch
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the Steak and Rice: Begin by cooking white rice according to package instructions so it’s ready when the stir-fry is done. Place the flank steak in the freezer, covered, for 30 minutes to firm up, which makes it easier to slice thinly. Once chilled, slice the steak very thinly against the grain into bite-sized strips.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine grated ginger, grated garlic, hot water, low sodium soy sauce, light brown sugar, corn starch, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until the sugar and corn starch have dissolved completely, then set the sauce mixture aside.
- Cook the Broccoli: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the broccoli florets and sauté for 4-5 minutes, partially covered with a lid, stirring or tossing several times until the broccoli becomes bright green and crisp-tender. If you prefer softer broccoli, add 2 tablespoons of water before covering to steam the florets slightly. Remove broccoli from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Beef: Increase the heat to high and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Spread the beef strips in a single layer and sauté for about 2 minutes on each side until just cooked through. You can test doneness by quickly pulling out a piece to check.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the beef and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef well.
- Finish the Dish: Return the cooked broccoli to the skillet and stir to thoroughly combine with the beef and sauce. If the sauce is too thick, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of water to reach your desired consistency. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of sesame oil and mix well.
- Serve: Serve the beef and broccoli stir-fry hot over steamed white rice. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- This recipe is a one-pan, quick 30-minute meal that is easy to prepare and packed with nutrition from fresh broccoli and tender beef.
- Freezing the steak for 30 minutes before slicing makes it easier to cut ultra-thin strips, which cook quickly and stay tender.
- Adjust the texture of broccoli by adding water to steam it gently if you prefer it softer.
- Serve immediately over white rice for a wholesome and balanced meal.
- Optional sesame seeds add a nice garnish and subtle nutty flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 902 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 68 mg
