We all have those lazy days when takeout is all we can do. But, it can get expensive, especially when the meal is as delicious as beef and broccoli.

Beef and broccoli are just that. Combined with a few flavorful sauces and stir-fried over high heat, it’s the perfect dinner staple.

You can eat it separately or combine it with white or brown rice and noodles. In addition to its versatility, it’s a cheap meal made from a few ingredients. The beef used is cheap, and you can stretch the meal by cutting thinner slices, a win-win situation if you ask us.

What Is Beef & Broccoli?

Beef and broccoli is a dish made by stir-frying beef and broccoli. It’s believed that Chinese immigrants introduced the dish to America in the 1920s.

Chinese immigrants made this meal with American Broccoli instead of gai lan, a type of Chinese broccoli with a much more robust flavor.

Broccoli beef can get served with rice and noodles. But you can sample it with other dishes, including side dishes like Chinese appetizers, egg drop soup, Chinese salad, or grilled pineapple.

Beef and Broccoli Recipe

Beef and broccoli is a dish made by stir-frying beef and broccoli. It’s believed that Chinese immigrants introduced the dish to America in the 1920s. Broccoli beef can get served with rice and noodles. But you can sample it with other dishes, including side dishes like Chinese appetizers, egg drop soup, Chinese salad, or grilled pineapple.

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Prep Time 17 mins

Cook Time 13 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4

Calories 191 kcal

Ingredients

  

The primary ingredients

• ¾ pounds Flank or shaved beef Flank beef works well for stir fry recipes thanks to its rich flavor. It also takes on marinade well, especially when thinly sliced
• 3½ cups Broccoli florets
• 2 cloves Finely chopped garlic
• 1 Tbsp Cooking oil
• ¼ teaspoons Fresh ginger (grated)
• 1 pinch Salt

Beef marinade ingredients

• 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
• ¼ teaspoons Dark soy sauce
• ⅛ teaspoons Black pepper
• 1 Tbsp Oyster sauce
• 2 Tbsp Water
• 1 Tbsp Sugar
• 1 Tbsp Cooking wine or rice wine (rice wine is a great addition to add sweetness to any Asian meat dish you make)

Stir fry beef and broccoli sauce

• 1 tbsp Soy sauce (low sodium)
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp Water

Instructions

 

• Prepare the beef by cutting it into medium slices. Cut the meat against the grain.
• Clean the beef to remove blood and strain. (Removing blood from the meat prevents it from turning dark when you cook).
• Prepare beef marinade by mixing the oyster sauce, soy sauce, pepper, water, cornstarch, cooking wine and sugar into a bowl.
• Add the beef to the marinade and mix until the meat is fully covered. Cover and set aside for fifteen minutes.
• As the beef marinades, chop the scallions, mince the garlic, and grate the ginger. It is also the time to mix your stir-fry sauce. Add sesame oil, low-sodium soy sauce, sugar, water and cornstarch.
• Add cooking oil to a saucepan.
• Sauté garlic, ginger and scallions.
• Add the Broccoli and stir-fry for up to three minutes. Set it aside.
• Stir fry the beef in a skillet on high heat, leaving each side until it turns brown. You may add the stir fry sauce to tenderize the meat and give you a thick brown sauce.
• Once cooked, add the broccoli and additional seasoning. Serve with rice or noodles.

Keyword beef and broccoli, beef and broccoli sauce

Tips and Tricks for Beef and Broccoli

• Use flank beef or shaved beef, as it works well for stir-fries. Sirloin and tenderloin are also great alternatives.
• Slice the beef across the grain of the meat. It tenderizes it by shortening the meat’s muscle fibers, making it easy to chew. Aim for thin, uniform pieces.
• Slicing your beef thin allows it to soak up the marinade faster, making for a shorter prep time. If you have thicker slices, marinate for about 30 minutes.
• If you struggle cutting meat, leave it in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes to harden it enough for easier slicing.
• You can tenderize the meat by adding a tablespoon of baking powder to the marinade or tenderize it with a meat mallet.
• If you don’t have cornstarch, you can use tapioca or arrowroot starch as an alternative. 
• You can substitute broccoli rabe, Chinese broccoli, or broccolini for broccoli.

• Choose a good quality oyster sauce to get the best flavor for your beef
• Go for a low-sodium soy sauce to reduce the saltiness in your dish
• Beef and broccoli contain gluten. If you are allergic, ensure that you choose gluten-free soy and oyster sauces.
• Instead of stir-frying broccoli directly, you can steam or blanch them first to precook them, then add them after stir-frying the beef. Blanching ensures that the broccoli cooks but allows it to retain its green color.
• Ensure the skillet is hot enough to sear the meat fast, leaving the inside tender.
• You can customize the recipe to make a meal that works for you and your family. Customizing it includes spicing it up with chili or honey. You can add other vegetables such as carrots, mushrooms, asparagus, snap peas, bell peppers, or bok choy.
• If you are serving your beef broccoli with ramen, toss it into the stir fry once it’s cooked and stir for a richer flavor.
• If you want a low-calorie meal, steam your vegetables. Steamed broccoli calories add up to about 40 per serving.
• You can batch-cook beef and broccoli and store them in airtight containers for several days (fridge storage). You could freeze it for up to three months.

Beef Broccoli Nutritional Information

Broccoli and beef are good sources of protein. And if you’re curious to know how much protein is in broccoli, you’d be surprised to learn that every 100g of broccoli contains 2.8 g of protein.

Below are Broccoli nutrition facts (one serving of beef broccoli).

Conclusion

Beef and broccoli is probably one of the easiest stir fries to make. Whether you are a college student low on cash or a tired mother with a family to feed, this dish is balanced and healthy. You can eat it alone or combine it with other side dishes. Try these beef and broccoli recipes, and tell us what you think.