Chinese Beef and Broccoli

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.

• One-Pan Meal: Cooking everything in a single skillet simplifies preparation and cleanup.

• Customizable: Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas to suit your taste.

• Authentic Flavor: Achieve the rich, savory taste of your favorite Chinese takeout without the need for specialized equipment like a wok.

Ingredients

• 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain

• 1 pound broccoli florets

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

For the Marinade:

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

For the Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons oyster sauce

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

• ½ cup beef broth

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.

Directions

1. Marinate the Beef: In a bowl, combine the sliced beef with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and cornstarch. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 20 minutes.

2. Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, beef broth, sesame oil, and black pepper until smooth. Set aside.

3. Cook the Broccoli: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

4. Stir-Fry the Beef: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and cook without stirring for 1-2 minutes to sear. Then, stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the beef is nearly cooked through.

5. Add Aromatics: Push the beef to one side of the skillet. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the empty side and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

6. Combine and Sauce: Return the cooked broccoli to the skillet. Stir the sauce mixture to recombine, then pour it over the beef and broccoli. Toss everything together until evenly coated and the sauce has thickened, about 2-3 minutes.

7. Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately over steamed rice.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes (including marination)

• Cooking Time: 10 minutes

• Total Time: 30 minutes

Variations

• Vegetable Add-ins: Incorporate sliced carrots, bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms to enhance the dish's nutritional profile and flavor.

• Spicy Kick: Add a teaspoon of chili garlic sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for some heat.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if necessary.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. Thaw and drain it well before cooking to avoid excess moisture.

2. What if I can't find Shaoxing wine?

If Shaoxing wine is unavailable, dry sherry is a suitable substitute.

3. How do I make the beef more tender?

Marinating the beef with cornstarch and a bit of baking soda can help tenderize tougher cuts.

4. Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

While stir-fries are best fresh, you can prep the ingredients and store them separately in the refrigerator for up to a day. Cooked leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

5. Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use tamari sauce instead of regular soy sauce and ensure the oyster sauce is gluten-free.

6. Can I use a different cut of beef?

Flank steak is recommended for its tenderness, but skirt steak or top sirloin are also good options.

7. How can I make the sauce spicier?

Incorporate chili garlic sauce, sriracha, or red pepper flakes into the sauce to add heat.

8. Can I use chicken instead of beef?

Yes, you can swap the beef for boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into thin strips.

9. How can I thicken the sauce?

If you prefer a thicker sauce, dissolve a little more cornstarch in water and stir it into the sauce as it simmers.

10. Can I serve this with noodles instead of rice?

Yes, you can serve this dish over cooked noodles for a delicious variation.

Conclusion

Chinese Beef and Broccoli is a classic dish that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor. Whether you’re in the mood for a comforting meal or want to make a healthier version of takeout, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings. It’s quick, versatile, and perfect for any night of the week!

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Chinese Beef and Broccoli is a quick, flavorful stir-fry featuring tender beef, crisp broccoli, and a savory homemade sauce. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, this takeout favorite comes together in just 30 minutes and is easily customizable.

• Author: Janet
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stir-Fry
• Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

For the Beef & Marinade:

1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp Shaoxing wine or dry sherry

1 tsp cornstarch

For the Sauce:

3 tbsp oyster sauce

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp cornstarch

½ cup beef broth

1 tbsp sesame oil

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Stir-Fry:

1 lb broccoli florets

2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

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Instructions

• Marinate the Beef: In a bowl, combine sliced flank steak with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and cornstarch. Mix and marinate for 20 minutes.

• Make the Sauce: In another bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth. Set aside.

• Cook the Broccoli: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium-high. Stir-fry broccoli for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove and set aside.

• Stir-Fry the Beef: Add remaining oil to skillet. Sear beef in a single layer for 1-2 minutes, then stir and cook for 2-3 more minutes until nearly cooked through.

• Add Aromatics: Push beef aside. Sauté garlic and ginger in the open space for 30 seconds until fragrant.

• Combine: Add broccoli back to skillet. Re-whisk and pour in the sauce. Toss everything together until coated and sauce thickens (2-3 minutes).

• Serve: Remove from heat and serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

• Add extra veggies like carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas.

• For spice, add chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes to the sauce.

• For extra tender beef, add ¼ teaspoon baking soda to the marinade.

• Use tamari and gluten-free oyster sauce for a gluten-free version.