Forget ordering takeout. This easy Beef and Broccoli recipe delivers everything you love—impossibly tender beef, crisp broccoli, and a rich, savory sauce—in under 30 minutes. We’re sharing the secret restaurant technique that makes all the difference.
This dish is a weeknight dinner champion. It’s fast, uses simple ingredients, and tastes even better than what you’d get from your favorite Chinese restaurant. Get ready to make this a new staple in your meal rotation.
A simple, savory sauce brings this entire dish together.
Why This is the Best Beef and Broccoli Recipe
There are many beef and broccoli recipes out there, but this one stands out for two key reasons: the texture of the beef and the flavor of the sauce.
Perfectly Tender Beef: We use a simple technique called “velveting.” This involves marinating the beef slices in a cornstarch mixture, which creates a protective coating that keeps the meat juicy and incredibly tender during cooking.
A Sauce That Hits Every Note: This isn’t just a simple soy sauce mixture. It’s a perfectly balanced combination of savory, slightly sweet, and aromatic flavors with fresh ginger and garlic. It’s rich, glossy, and clings to every piece of beef and broccoli.
Incredibly Fast: From prep to plate, this entire meal comes together in 30 minutes, making it faster than waiting for a delivery driver. For more quick dinner ideas, check out our One-Pan Balsamic Chicken.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Beef:
Beef: Flank steak is the classic choice for its lean texture and robust flavor. Slice it thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness. Sirloin steak also works well.
Cornstarch: The secret ingredient for velveting the beef.
Soy Sauce & Sesame Oil: These begin the layering of flavor in the marinade.
For the Stir-Fry Sauce:
Beef Broth: Use a low-sodium version to control the saltiness.
Soy Sauce: The backbone of the sauce’s savory flavor.
Oyster Sauce: Adds a deep, savory, and slightly sweet flavor that’s essential for a true takeout taste.
Brown Sugar: A touch of sweetness to balance the salty elements.
Fresh Ginger & Garlic: Aromatic powerhouses that provide a spicy, pungent kick.
For the Stir-Fry:
Broccoli: Fresh, vibrant broccoli florets are a must. We’ll blanch them quickly to ensure they’re perfectly crisp-tender.
Avocado Oil: Or any neutral oil with a high smoke point.
The secret to perfectly tender beef is a simple marinade.
How to Make This Easy Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Making this restaurant-quality dish is easier than you think. We’ll break it down into three simple stages: preparing the beef, mixing the sauce, and bringing it all together in the wok.
Step 1: Velvet the Beef
First, slice your flank steak very thinly against the grain. In a medium bowl, combine the beef slices with soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Toss until every piece is coated. Set it aside to marinate for at least 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
Step 2: Mix the Savory Sauce
In a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic. This mixture is your flavor gold. Set it aside.
Step 3: Blanch the Broccoli
Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for just 60-90 seconds. Immediately drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. This quick step ensures your broccoli is bright green and perfectly crisp-tender, not mushy.
Step 4: Stir-Fry and Combine
Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil. Once it’s shimmering, add the marinated beef in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the skillet.
Pour the prepared sauce into the hot skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Bring it to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, until it starts to thicken. Return the cooked beef and the blanched broccoli to the skillet. Stir everything together until heated through and coated in the glossy sauce. Serve immediately.
Tips for Takeout-Worthy Success
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook the beef in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the pan will steam the meat instead of searing it, preventing it from browning properly.
High Heat is Key: A hot wok or skillet is essential for getting a quick, hard sear on the beef, which locks in the juices.
Prep Ahead: Have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go before you start cooking. A stir-fry comes together very quickly! If you enjoy prepping ingredients for easy meals, you’ll love our Mediterranean Chicken Bowls.
What to Serve with Beef and Broccoli
This Beef and Broccoli recipe is a star on its own, but it’s even better when paired with a simple side. Serve it over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice to soak up every drop of that delicious sauce. For a lower-carb option, it’s also excellent with cauliflower rice or quinoa.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through. The sauce may thicken in the fridge, but it will loosen up as it warms. This dish is one of our favorite balanced meals for meal prep.
The best and most traditional cut of beef is flank steak. Its lean profile and robust beefy flavor are perfect for stir-frying. Be sure to slice it thinly against the grain to ensure it’s tender. Sirloin steak is another excellent option.
The secret to tender stir-fry beef is a technique called ‘velveting.’ By tossing the thin slices of beef in a mixture containing cornstarch before cooking, you create a light coating that protects the meat from the high heat, locking in moisture and resulting in a juicy, tender texture.
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. For the best results, allow the florets to thaw first and pat them very dry to remove excess moisture. This will help them stir-fry rather than steam in the pan. You can skip the blanching step if using thawed frozen broccoli.
A great beef and broccoli sauce is all about balance. Our sauce combines the savory depth of soy sauce and oyster sauce, the richness of beef broth, a hint of sweetness from brown sugar, and the aromatic kick of fresh ginger and garlic for a truly multidimensional, restaurant-quality flavor.
This homemade beef and broccoli recipe can absolutely be a healthy dinner. It’s packed with protein from the beef and vitamins and fiber from the broccoli. By making it at home, you control the amount of sodium and sugar, making it a much healthier alternative to typical takeout versions.
Did You Make This Recipe?
We’re confident this is the best Beef and Broccoli recipe you’ll ever make at home! If you loved it, please leave a comment and a rating below. We’d love to hear from you! Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest so you can find it again.
Get the recipe for this better-than-takeout Beef and Broccoli! Ready in 30 minutes.
Beef and Broccoli Recipe
FL Recipes
Beef and Broccoli Recipe (Better Than Takeout)
This Beef and Broccoli Recipe is better than takeout and ready in 30 minutes! Learn the secret to incredibly tender beef and a rich, savory garlic ginger sauce for an easy, flavorful weeknight dinner.
In a medium bowl, combine the sliced flank steak, cornstarch, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and sesame oil. Toss to coat evenly. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, 1/4 cup soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Set aside.
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch the broccoli florets for 60-90 seconds. Drain immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the beef in a single layer (cook in batches if needed) and sear for 1-2 minutes per side until browned. Remove beef from the skillet and set aside.
Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the hot skillet. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
Return the cooked beef and blanched broccoli to the skillet. Stir to combine and coat everything in the sauce. Cook for 1 minute more until heated through. Serve immediately over rice.
Nutrition
Calories: 385kcalProtein: 35gFat: 20gFiber: 4g
Notes
Tip 1: For extra tender beef, don't skip the velveting step with cornstarch. It makes a huge difference! Tip 2: Ensure your pan is very hot before adding the beef to get a perfect sear without overcooking the meat. Tip 3: Prepare all ingredients before you start cooking, as the stir-frying process goes very quickly.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
