Beef and broccoli is a beloved Chinese-American dish that has become a staple weeknight meal for many families. This flavorful beef and veggie combo delivers a perfect balance of textures and tastes that will satisfy everyone at the dinner table. Learning how to prepare this classic recipe at home is easy and rewarding. With fresh ingredients and a few simple cooking techniques, you can make restaurant-quality beef and broccoli right in your own kitchen.
Why Make Beef and Broccoli for Dinner Tonight?
There are so many great reasons to add beef and broccoli to your regular dinner rotation.
- It’s a complete one-pan meal with protein, vegetables and sauce all made together. Everything cooks quickly, making this dish ideal for busy weeknights when you want something nutritious on the table fast.
- The ingredients are simple and affordable. Flank steak, broccoli and classic Chinese sauces like oyster sauce and soy sauce are all kitchen staples that most home cooks keep on hand.
- It’s a crowd-pleaser that appeals to kids and adults alike. The flavors strike a universal balance between sweet, salty and savory that makes most people happy.
- You can riff on the classic recipe and add other veggies you have on hand. Mushrooms, bell peppers, snap peas and water chestnuts all taste great in beef and broccoli.
- Making this at home allows you to control the quality of ingredients and customize it to your taste. You can amplify flavors and make it as spicy, saucy or tender as you prefer.
In short, beef and broccoli deserves its status as a dependable way to get dinner on the table quickly while keeping your family satisfied and nourished. Once you learn the basics, you can make this recipe again and again while putting your own spin on it.
Ingredients For Beef And Broccoli
Cooking up excellent beef and broccoli requires gathering a few key ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Flank steak – This is the most popular cut of beef for making beef and broccoli. Flank steak has great beefy flavor and a texture that stays tender when sliced thinly across the grain. Other cuts like sirloin or rib-eye work too.
- Broccoli florets – Use fresh broccoli crowns, cut into bite-size florets. Frozen broccoli can be substituted but the texture won’t be quite as crisp.
- Garlic – An ample amount of minced garlic adds a aromatic base to the sauce. Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
- Ginger – Fresh ginger root, minced or grated, gives the sauce and beef a subtle gingery kick. Jarred ginger will also work.
- Soy sauce – Use a good quality soy sauce like Kikkoman. Soy sauce adds salty umami flavor.
- Oyster sauce – This thick savory sauce is key for getting an authentic flavor. Vegetarians can skip it.
- Beef broth – Use low sodium beef broth as the base for the sauce. Chicken broth also works.
- Cornstarch – A cornstarch slurry thickens the sauce so it coats the beef and broccoli beautifully.
- Oil – Use a neutral oil like canola or vegetable to stir-fry. Sesame oil adds nice flavor drizzled over the finished dish.
- Rice (optional) – Serve beef and broccoli over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice.
That covers the core ingredients! Now let’s go over the step-by-step process for putting it all together.
How To Make Beef And Broccoli?
Making excellent beef and broccoli is easy when you follow some simple steps:
1. Prep the ingredients – Gather everything you’ll need before starting to cook. Cut the steak across the grain into thin 2-inch strips. Chop the garlic, ginger, and broccoli florets. Measure out the sauces. Mix the cornstarch with water or broth to make a slurry.
2. Sear the beef – Get your wok or skillet very hot. Add a tablespoon of oil then stir-fry the beef in batches for just 1 minute until lightly browned but still rare inside. Set beef aside.
3. Cook the broccoli – Add a bit more oil to the pan. Stir-fry the garlic and ginger for 30 seconds. Then add the broccoli and stir-fry 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
4. Make the sauce – Give the cornstarch slurry a stir. Then add it to the pan along with the soy sauce, oyster sauce and beef broth. Simmer 1-2 minutes until thickened.
5. Toss with beef – Return the beef and any juices to the pan. Gently toss everything together for 1 minute until the beef is lightly cooked and coated in sauce.
6. Finish and serve – Remove from heat. Drizzle with sesame oil if desired. Enjoy immediately over steamed white or brown rice.
Following this process will ensure you achieve the classic tender beef with vibrant broccoli in a rich, glossy sauce. But feel free to put your own stamp on it too.
Tips For Making Beef And Broccoli
Here are some tips for making delicious beef and broccoli:
- Choose high-quality beef. Flank steak and sirloin steak are good options. Slice the beef thinly across the grain. This will make it more tender when cooked quickly in the wok or pan.
- Blanch the broccoli briefly before stir-frying. Drop it into boiling water for 30-60 seconds, then shock in an ice bath to stop the cooking. This helps the broccoli stay crisp-tender.
- Use a hot wok or large skillet to stir-fry. Make sure it’s very hot before adding the oil and beef. Cook the beef in batches if needed to avoid crowding.
- Add sliced garlic and ginger early on as an aromatic. Cook for 30 seconds before adding the beef.
- For the sauce, combine broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, corn starch and sugar. The corn starch will help thicken the sauce nicely.
- Cook the beef until browned but not overcooked. Take it out of the wok/pan and set aside.
- Add the broccoli and stir fry briefly. Then return the beef to the wok and add the sauce. Cook 1-2 mins more until thickened.
Get Creative with Variations Beef And Broccoli
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, have fun playing around with exciting variations:
- Add other vegetables like snap peas, bell peppers, water chestnuts, baby corn or mushrooms. Just increase the stir-fry time a bit.
- Substitute chicken, pork, shrimp or tofu for the beef to make it accessible for different diets.
- Swap in coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a soy-free version.
- For a spicy kick, add sriracha, chili-garlic sauce or red pepper flakes.
- Use hoisin, plum or sweet & sour sauce for a flavor change.
- Toss in a handful of cashews or peanuts for some crunch.
- Make it vegetarian by using vegetable broth and skipping the oyster sauce.
- Serve over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice for a low-carb option.
The possibilities are endless! Tweak beef and broccoli to suit your personal tastes and get creative in the kitchen.
Expert Answers to Common Questions
Making excellent beef and broccoli at home is easy when you know the secrets. Here are answers to some frequent questions:
Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen broccoli florets can be substituted in this recipe. Just reduce the stir-frying time to 1-2 minutes to heat through without overcooking.
What cut of beef works best?
Flank steak is ideal but sirloin tip and skirt steak also work very well. Cut across the grain into thin strips for tenderness.
How can I make it less spicy for kids?
Skip the red pepper flakes or chili-garlic sauce to make a milder version the whole family can enjoy.
What’s the difference between American and Chinese beef and broccoli recipes?
Authentic Chinese versions use ingredients like oyster sauce and Shaoxing wine. American recipes are milder with more soy sauce and brown sugar.
What are the secrets to getting perfect beef and broccoli every time?
- Cut beef across the grain
- Sear beef at high heat
- Don’t overcook the broccoli
- Use cornstarch slurry for thick sauce
- Toss gently to keep beef tender
Conclusion: Beef And Broccoli
With a few basic ingredients and some simple stir-frying techniques, you can easily make restaurant-worthy beef and broccoli at home any night of the week. Follow the step-by-step instructions and you’ll turn out tender beef and vibrant broccoli smothered in a savory sauce.
Then have fun switching up proteins, veggies and flavors to put your own personal spin on this classic. Once you get the basic recipe down, you can improvise and make just the beef and broccoli your family craves.
For more easy dinner recipes perfect for busy weeknights, check out our website and subscribe to our newsletter. We’d also love to hear about your favorite beef and broccoli creations. Leave a comment below to share your tips and tricks in the kitchen.
How To make Beef and Broccoli
Notes
· Thinly Sliced Beef: Slicing the beef thinly against the grain ensures quick and even cooking.
· Marinating: Marinating the beef is optional, but it helps to tenderize the meat.
· High Heat: Cooking with high heat creates a nice sear on the beef and broccoli, while keeping the vegetables crisp-tender.
· Cook in Batches: Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the beef. This will prevent the beef from browning properly and may result in a steamed texture.
· Adjusting the Sauce: You can adjust the amount of soy sauce, brown sugar, or cornstarch in the sauce to your taste preference. If you prefer a thicker sauce, add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) and cook until the sauce thickens.
Ingredients
- 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 clove garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced (for extra color)
- 1/2 cup water chestnuts, sliced (for extra crunch)
Instructions
- Marinate the Beef (Optional): In a bowl, combine the sliced beef with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon rice wine (or sherry). Let marinate for at least 10 minutes, or up to an hour, for more tender beef.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, oyster sauce (if using), cornstarch, rice vinegar, water, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Cook the Broccoli: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp. Remove the broccoli from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Beef: Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan. Increase the heat to high and sear the beef in batches, without crowding the pan, for 1-2 minutes per side, or until browned. Remove the cooked beef from the pan and set aside with the broccoli.
- Simmer the Sauce: Add the prepared sauce to the pan and bring to a simmer. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked beef and broccoli to the pan. Toss to coat with the sauce. Heat for another minute or two, until everything is warmed through.
- Serve: Serve immediately over cooked rice. Garnish with sesame seeds, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
How To make Beef and Broccoli
Serves: 4 persons
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 500 | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 30 | 46.2% | |
| Saturated Fat 8 | 40% | |
| Trans Fat 0 | ||
| Cholesterol 90mg | 30% | |
| Sodium 100mg | 4.2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 40 | 13.3% | |
| Dietary Fiber 10 | 40% | |
| Sugars 15 | ||
| Protein 50 | ||
| Vitamin A 0 | Vitamin C 0 | |
| Calcium 0 | Iron 0 | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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