Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe means tender seared beef, crisp broccoli, and a glossy garlic ginger sauce that tastes like your favorite takeout. Busy home cooks who want a quick win can make this in about 20 minutes, start to finish. I cooked this on repeat in my first tiny apartment, and it still saves my Tuesdays.

Why Choose This Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe delivers fast flavor with a balanced sauce and juicy slices of steak. You get that saucy, savory bite without mystery ingredients, and you control the salt, sweetness, and heat.

Super tender beef, vibrant broccoli, and a sauce that hits all the notes faster than delivery ★★★★★

Ingredients You Need

• Flank steak or sirloin, 1 pound, thinly sliced against the grain
  • Shortcut: ask the butcher to slice it thin
  • Tip: partially freeze the steak 20 minutes for easier slicing
• Broccoli florets, 4 cups
  • Fresh or frozen both work; steam-in-bag frozen broccoli keeps things speedy
• Neutral high-heat oil, 2 to 3 tablespoons (avocado, canola, or peanut)

Marinade for the beef:

• Low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon (Kikkoman or Yamasa hold steady flavor)
• Cornstarch, 1 teaspoon
• Baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon for tenderness
• Vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon

Stir fry sauce:

• Low-sodium soy sauce, 1/3 cup
• Oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons (Lee Kum Kee premium gives clean umami)
• Brown sugar or honey, 1 tablespoon
• Beef broth or water, 1/2 cup
• Shaoxing wine, 1 tablespoon
  • Sub: dry sherry, or 2 teaspoons rice vinegar plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• Cornstarch, 2 teaspoons
• Fresh garlic, 3 cloves, finely minced
  • Shortcut: jarred minced garlic works in a pinch
• Fresh ginger, 1 tablespoon, finely minced
  • Shortcut: ginger paste from the tube
• Toasted sesame oil, 1 teaspoon
• Black or white pepper, 1/4 teaspoon
• Optional heat: 1 to 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes

Garnishes:

• Sliced green onions
• Toasted sesame seeds

Equipment:

• Large wok or 12-inch skillet
• Mixing bowls and whisk
• Tongs or a spatula
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rice cooker or pot if serving with rice

How to Make Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

Slice and Marinate the Beef

• Slice the steak thinly against the grain. Blot it dry with a towel.
• Toss with soy sauce, cornstarch, baking soda, and oil. Let it sit while you prep the sauce and broccoli.

Mix the Sauce

• Whisk soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, broth, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and pepper in a bowl.
• Keep it near the stove. Stir it again right before you pour it in.

Cook the Broccoli

• If fresh: heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high, add broccoli with a splash of water, and stir until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• If frozen: microwave to just tender, drain well, and keep ready.

Sear the Beef

• Heat the pan over high until it lightly smokes. Add 1 tablespoon oil.
• Spread half the beef in a single layer and let it sear 45 to 60 seconds. Flip and cook 30 to 45 seconds more, then move to one side of the pan.
• Repeat with the remaining beef and a little more oil if needed.

Combine and Thicken

• Return broccoli to the pan. Give the sauce a quick whisk and pour it in.
• Toss everything and let the sauce bubble. It thickens and turns glossy in about 30 to 60 seconds.

Finish and Serve

• Taste and adjust with a splash of soy sauce for salt, a pinch of sugar for balance, or chili for heat.
• Sprinkle green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

Tips & Common Mistakes

• Slice beef across the grain and keep it thin for tenderness.
• Pat the meat dry so it sears instead of steams.
• Heat the pan until hot before the first drop of oil goes in.
• Cook the beef in batches to avoid crowding.
• Keep the sauce pre-mixed and whisk it right before adding so the cornstarch stays smooth.
• Add garlic and ginger through the sauce to prevent burning.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt.
• Go easy on baking soda in the marinade; too much can give an odd texture.
• If the sauce turns too thick, thin it with a few tablespoons of water or broth.
• If using frozen broccoli, drain it well so the sauce stays glossy.

Variations I've Tried

• Spicy beef and broccoli: add 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce or a spoon of gochujang to the sauce.
• Black pepper style: double the black pepper and add a splash of dark soy for color.
• Chicken and broccoli: swap in thin-sliced chicken thigh and cook it the same way.
• Tofu and mushroom: use extra-firm tofu, pat it dry, crisp it in oil, and add shiitakes.
• Gluten-free: use tamari and a gluten-free oyster sauce.
• Lower sugar: skip the brown sugar and sweeten with a few drops of liquid stevia.
• Cashew beef and broccoli: toss in 1/2 cup roasted cashews at the end.

How to Serve

Spoon the beef and broccoli over hot jasmine rice, brown rice, or garlicky noodles. Add a quick side like cucumber salad or a simple miso soup for contrast. A crisp lager or sparkling water with lime cuts through the savory sauce nicely. If you like heat, pass chili oil at the table.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Marinate sliced beef up to 30 minutes with baking soda or up to 24 hours without it; if marinating longer, add the baking soda in the last 30 minutes. Mix the stir fry sauce up to 1 week in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium with a splash of water until hot, or microwave in short bursts and stir so the broccoli stays crisp-tender.

Ally Sanders

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish with tender beef slices and crisp broccoli in a savory garlic-ginger sauce.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Lunch

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/3 cup beef broth or water
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cooked white or brown rice, for serving
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
• 2 tablespoons sliced green onions, for garnish

Instructions

 

1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, oyster sauce (if using), cornstarch, sesame oil, and black pepper until smooth. Set aside.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same pan. Add the sliced beef in a single layer and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just browned.
4. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the beef and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
5. Return the broccoli to the pan. Whisk the sauce again and pour it over the beef and broccoli. Stir well and cook for 2–3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables.
6. Remove from heat. Serve the beef and broccoli stir fry over cooked rice if desired, and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Notes

Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving (without rice): 310 calories; fat 16 g; saturated fat 4 g; carbohydrates 15 g; fiber 3 g; sugars 7 g; protein 27 g; sodium 780 mg. Values will vary based on specific ingredients, brands, and portion sizes.