Easy Beef and Broccoli Recipe

I hope this Beef Broccoli Stir Fry video recipe becomes a favorite for you. It’s such a treat to enjoy home cooking when you’re on the go.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I developed this recipe years ago as a copycat for the Panda Express, P.F. Changs and Cheesecake Factory Beef and Broccoli – the sauce here really makes the dish! It satisfies my family’s frequent cravings, but I think this homemade version has better flavors and textures. It also has better ingredients, so I feel really good about serving it to my family. I make sure to add plenty of broccoli for a balanced meal, and honestly, I’ve never seen my kids eat broccoli so fast!

This is also a versatile dish – you can add your favorite vegetables to this recipe (see ingredient variations below). I love serving this over cooked white rice, but have gotten creative over the years and sometimes add noodles for a Beef Broccoli Ramen Stir Fry that is a meal in one dish (add that to next weeks meal plan).

Ingredients

This recipe follows my mantra – ‘sometimes the simplest recipes are the best.’ A good stir fry should be simple. Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy broccoli beef.

• Beef – Flank Steak is the best cut of beef for stir fry because it’s tender, lean, and easy to chew. More options include: Top Sirloin Steak, Top Round Steak, or Tri-Tip Steak. Ribeye also works for extra flavor and richness.
• Broccoli – Fresh broccoli florets are best. I avoid using frozen broccoli because it gets mushy, releases liquid and dilutes the sauce, making it bland. You can also change out the vegetables – try snap peas, bell peppers, carrots, and even mushrooms.
• Sauce – an easy and perfect blend of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, water, brown sugar, pepper, sesame oil and corn starch to thicken up the sauce.

The Best Stir Fry Sauce for Beef and Broccoli

Many stir fry recipes have gone wrong with a poorly made sauce. I tested this recipe over and over until I arrived at the perfect balance of sweet and savory. For the best stir fry sauce:

• Use low sodium soy sauce, or add to taste (or try Gluten Free Tamari)
• Use the right amount of fresh ginger – it has strong flavor so don’t overdo it.
• Do not skip the sesame oil as it gives authentic flavor
• Simmer sauce at least 3 minutes to mellow out garlic and ginger
• For a thinner sauce, add 2 Tbsp water at the end

How to Make Beef and Broccoli

This recipe moves fast and comes together in 1 skillet and 5 easy steps, so you want to have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you fire up the stove. It is just 6 steps in one skillet!

• Slice beef strips
• Make stir fry sauce
• Cook broccoli and remove from skillet.
• Cook beef
• Add stir fry sauce and return broccoli to the pan

Tips for the Best Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Here are my best tips to achieve a perfectly cooked stir fry with tender beef and perfectly cooked broccoli:

• Start with the right cut of beef (see ingredients section above) and thinly sliced steak for quick and even cooking.
• Add steak to a HOT skillet to sear and seal in the juices
• Use Fresh broccoli (not frozen)
• Don’t overcrowd the pan or it will cool the pan resulting in steam cooked beef.

Make Ahead and Storage

This saucy beef and broccoli recipe reheats really well so it’s perfect for weekly meal prep and to-go lunches for school and work.

• Prep Ahead: slice your beef, prepare the broccoli and make the sauce the day before and store them all separately until ready to cook.
• Storage: Once the beef and broccoli has cooled to room temperature, cover and refrigerate 3-4 days per USDA guidelines for storing cooked beef. For Meal prep, store in individual containers to reheat portions.
• Freezing: You can freeze but the texture will suffer since broccoli can get mushy when thawed.
• To Reheat: set portions in a skillet and stir fry over medium heat until hot. Add a splash of water to loosen up the sauce.

Beef and Broccoli is delicious and protein-packed dinner and you’ll love how quick and easy it is to make. Stir-fry recipes, such as our Ground Beef Stir Fry, Vegetable Stir Fry, and Shrimp Fried Rice, have become go-to’s because they are fast and healthier than going out.