This Quick and Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you crave something nourishing and delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Juicy strips of marinated beef are flash-seared to lock in flavor and then tossed with crisp-tender broccoli in a glossy, savory sauce infused with garlic, ginger, soy, hoisin, and sesame. It’s a fast-paced stir-fry that delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.
Serve this vibrant dish over fluffy jasmine rice to soak up every drop of the rich sauce. Not only is this recipe packed with protein and fiber, but it’s also a great way to get more greens into your dinner rotation. It’s customizable, freezer-friendly, and pairs well with other quick Asian-inspired sides like dumplings or cucumber salad. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or feeding your hungry family, this dish is a guaranteed hit.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
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1 tbsp cornstarch
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2 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tbsp oyster sauce
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1 tbsp hoisin sauce
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1 tbsp sesame oil
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1 tbsp vegetable oil
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 inch fresh ginger, minced
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4 cups broccoli florets
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1/4 cup water or beef broth
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2 green onions, sliced
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Cooked jasmine rice, for serving
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Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Directions:
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In a bowl, toss sliced flank steak with cornstarch, soy sauce, and a pinch of black pepper. Let marinate for 10–15 minutes while preparing other ingredients.
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Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches, cooking for about 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Remove from pan and set aside.
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Add sesame oil to the same skillet. Sauté garlic and ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Add broccoli and stir fry for 2 minutes. Pour in water or beef broth, cover, and steam for 2–3 more minutes until broccoli is tender-crisp.
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Return the cooked beef to the skillet. Add oyster sauce and hoisin sauce, tossing everything together until evenly coated and heated through, about 1–2 minutes.
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Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
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Serve hot over a bed of jasmine rice.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 380 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Why You’ll Love This Quick and Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Few dishes deliver on flavor, speed, and satisfaction quite like a classic beef and broccoli stir fry. This time-tested combination of tender beef slices and vibrant green broccoli tossed in a garlicky, umami-rich sauce is a staple in many households—and for good reason. Inspired by popular Chinese-American takeout, this dish brings restaurant-quality flavor to your home kitchen in just 30 minutes. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen newbie, this stir fry is a foolproof meal that works for any weeknight dinner.
Origins and Cultural Influence
Beef and broccoli stir fry has roots in Chinese-American cuisine, where it became a staple in the 20th century. Interestingly, the dish doesn’t come from traditional Chinese cooking but is rather a Western interpretation of Cantonese stir-fry dishes, often made with Gai Lan (Chinese broccoli). When Chinese immigrants brought their culinary heritage to America, they adapted their ingredients to what was locally available—hence the switch from Chinese broccoli to Western broccoli. The result is this deliciously adapted recipe that merges authentic techniques with accessible ingredients, creating a dish that has stood the test of time.
Why This Version Is the Best
This version of the stir fry focuses on simplicity, freshness, and bold flavor. It doesn’t rely on bottled stir-fry sauces packed with preservatives—instead, it uses a homemade sauce made from pantry staples like soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and fresh garlic and ginger. The beef is marinated for just 10 minutes to lock in flavor and tenderness while ensuring it cooks quickly. By flash-searing the beef and steaming the broccoli briefly, you retain that perfect texture—crispy yet tender vegetables and juicy beef slices.
One of the standout elements of this recipe is how easily it scales and adapts. Want more spice? Add red pepper flakes or chili oil. Looking to go low-carb? Swap out rice for cauliflower rice. Want to make it gluten-free? Use tamari in place of soy sauce. This recipe is not only flexible but also meal-prep friendly and great for leftovers.
Nutritional Benefits
Despite being hearty and savory, this stir fry is surprisingly balanced in nutrition. Let’s take a closer look:
- Lean protein from beef: Using flank steak or sirloin provides a good amount of protein, essential for muscle repair and satiety. You can also use grass-fed beef for added Omega-3s.
- Fiber and antioxidants from broccoli: Broccoli is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables. It’s packed with fiber, vitamins C and K, and antioxidants like sulforaphane, which supports detoxification and immune health.
- Heart-healthy sesame oil: Adds depth of flavor while supplying healthy fats.
- Low sugar and balanced carbs: The sauce uses minimal sugar compared to bottled alternatives, and you can control the portion of rice to fit your dietary needs.
Overall, this is a wholesome, nourishing dish that provides protein, fiber, and essential vitamins without sacrificing on flavor.
Perfect for Busy Lives
One of the top reasons people love this dish is its quick preparation. From start to finish, it only takes 30 minutes—less time than ordering and waiting for delivery. The ingredients are all easy to find, and the method is straightforward, making it ideal for beginner cooks, college students, busy parents, or anyone looking for a no-fuss dinner.
You can also make it in one pan, which means fewer dishes to clean. Plus, it reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days, and reheat in a skillet or microwave for a fast second meal.
Crowd-Pleasing Flavor
Let’s not forget: this dish is seriously delicious. The savory sauce coats every bite with deep umami flavor thanks to soy and oyster sauces. The garlic and ginger add brightness and aroma, while the hoisin contributes just a touch of sweetness and depth. Together, they create a sauce that clings beautifully to the tender beef and crisp broccoli, delivering bold flavor in every forkful.
Even picky eaters and kids tend to enjoy this dish thanks to its rich, slightly sweet, and satisfying taste. If you’re cooking for a family, this is a great way to sneak in veggies and still get cheers at the table.
Ingredient Accessibility
Another great benefit of this recipe is that it uses common, budget-friendly ingredients. You don’t need exotic or hard-to-pronounce components—just simple things like beef, broccoli, garlic, soy sauce, and a few extras you probably already have in your pantry. That means you can keep this dish in your regular rotation without breaking the bank or having to visit specialty stores.
If you prefer to cook with locally sourced or organic produce and meat, this recipe fits easily into that lifestyle. It’s a blank canvas for your ingredient preferences and seasonal adaptations.
Make It Your Own
This stir fry is endlessly customizable. You can swap out the protein—try it with chicken, tofu, shrimp, or tempeh. Mix in other vegetables like bell peppers, snow peas, mushrooms, or carrots for a rainbow-colored meal.
Want more heat? Stir in some sriracha or chili garlic paste. Want a crunch? Top it with crushed peanuts or cashews. You can even serve it with noodles instead of rice for a different twist.
A Staple for Every Kitchen
Whether you’re a meal-prepping enthusiast, a home cook who values ease, or someone who just wants dinner on the table fast, this stir fry is a must-have in your weekly meal rotation. It’s comforting, customizable, and ready in a flash—all the qualities that make a meal timeless and treasured.
Conclusion
This Quick and Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is more than just a fast dinner—it’s a flavorful, nourishing, and versatile meal that fits effortlessly into any lifestyle. With tender beef, crisp broccoli, and a savory homemade sauce, it offers the perfect balance of protein, veggies, and bold Asian-inspired flavor. Whether you’re cooking for a family, meal prepping for the week, or simply craving a healthier alternative to takeout, this stir fry delivers every time. It’s simple to make, endlessly customizable, and sure to become a go-to favorite in your recipe collection. Give it a try once, and it just might earn a permanent spot in your weeknight dinner rotation.