Discover how to make the classic Chinese takeout dish Beef and Broccoli right in the comfort of your home.
Whether you’ve had a long, stressful day at work or you’re returning home after a fun night out with friends, Chinese food is a universal craving anybody can get behind. Everyone can go for a sweet-and-salty stir-fry once in a while, and this beef and broccoli recipe was made to conquer those cravings.
Seasoned with rich soy sauce and garnished with sesame seeds, beef and broccoli is a homemade homage to Chinese cooking. It’s the kind of simple dish that you can whip up in less than 30 minutes on a night when the hankering for takeout is too loud to resist.
But don’t be fooled—this zesty recipe isn’t just for partyers with the munchies. It’s also the perfect quick dish for busy weeknights with family. Served with a side of rice or noodles, beef and broccoli is a delectable main course that can brighten up any lunch or dinner.
Is Beef and Broccoli Healthy?
With a rich combination of protein, fiber, iron, vitamin K, and a ton of other nutrients, beef and broccoli can be a healthy dinner duo. Alongside a complex carb like brown rice, this dish is part of a balanced diet. This recipe also calls for low-sodium soy sauce, which will cut down the salt content.
That being said, if you need to adjust the recipe to suit certain diets, you can. To make it keto-friendly, you can ditch brown sugar for granulated stevia or monk fruit. You can also add even more veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, or carrots.
Optional Extra: Battering the Beef
While this recipe calls for marinating the beef before cooking it, you also have the option of coating it in batter and deep-frying. The process is simple, but it will make it a little unhealthier since you’re increasing the calorie content by adding a large amount of oil.
First, make the special sauce and set it aside. In a separate bowl, mix together 2/3 cup each of cornstarch and flour. Add 3/4 cup of water and one large egg, then whisk together. Season your steak slices with salt and pepper, then dip them in the batter. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan and fry the battered beef for about three to five minutes, until they’re crispy and golden or the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. From there, pat the pieces dry with paper towels to remove excess grease. Finally, douse it in the special sauce and fry it with the steamed broccoli for an extra 3 to 5 minutes.
FAQs & Tips
Once cooled, beef and broccoli can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Otherwise, you can pop it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for 4 to 5 months. When you want to reheat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight before warming it up on the stove at medium heat, stirring constantly.
For this recipe, the best cut of beef would be flank steak, cut thinly and neatly. The tender feel of flank steak is a signature part of this dish. Plus, it can be more affordable than other cuts of beef, which makes it a great pick for anyone on a budget.
Most chefs recommend blanching broccoli first — exposing it to high heat quickly — so it can cook all the way through. In this recipe, the broccoli is steamed instead, which means it’s cooked at a lower temperature for longer. Within about 5 minutes, the broccoli goes from crunchy to tender, making it perfectly soft, so there’s no need for blanching.
Serving Suggestions
For succulent beef and broccoli, the most classic sides are Steamed Rice and Egg Rolls. This combo was one of my friend’s absolute favorites in high school. But you can also jazz it up with Soba Noodles, Vegetable Stir-Fry, Chicken Potstickers, or Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad. Whether you go bright and bold or hearty and strong, your beef and broccoli meal is sure to satiate even the saltiest of cravings.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 pound flank steak thinly sliced
- 5 1/2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
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In a bowl, combine soy sauce, water, brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic, and ginger. Add the thinly sliced beef and toss to coat. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
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Steam broccoli florets until tender-crisp, about 4-5 minutes. Set aside.
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Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated beef and cook until browned and nearly cooked through, about 3-4 minutes.
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Add the steamed broccoli and the remaining marinade. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli, about 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for garnish.
Nutrition Info:
Calories: 321kcal (16%) Carbohydrates: 21g (7%) Protein: 31g (62%) Fat: 13g (20%) Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g Monounsaturated Fat: 4g Trans Fat: 0.04g Cholesterol: 68mg (23%) Sodium: 1253mg (54%) Potassium: 918mg (26%) Fiber: 4g (17%) Sugar: 10g (11%) Vitamin A: 780IU (16%) Vitamin C: 113mg (137%) Calcium: 105mg (11%) Iron: 3mg (17%)
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