Beef and Broccoli is a simple easy to make dish that is perfect for those on the go. Ready in 30 minutes it is a tasty and simple dish made with beef, broccoli and soy sauce. Serve over a bed of rice or tossed with some lo mien noodles for a more substantial meal.
Whenever I am short on time or really have no desire to spend a lot of time cooking then I make beef and broccoli. It is easy to make, quick and tastes great. It can be served over a bed of rice or pasta if so desired however I like to eat it as is. This is also a great recipe for those that meal prep as you can double the recipe and make a few meals that are ready to grab and go. This 30-minute beef and broccoli recipe is perfect for those on the go.
Table of Contents
In this recipe
Most of the ingredients are easy to get ahold of if they aren’t already in your kitchen. Also, the majority of the ingredients are for the sauce.
Steak: flank steak is a great choice for this recipe. Another good option is skirt steak. Just make sure they are sliced thinly.
Broccoli: fresh or frozen work well with this recipe. If you are going to use frozen make sure that it is thawed before cooking.
Rice vinegar: the acidity in the vinegar helps cut through the sweetness and fattiness of the sauce.
What kind of steak should I use for beef and broccoli?
Flank or skirt steak are great options. They are leaner cuts of beef that are thinner than cuts like ribeye and NY strip. Due to their thinness, they cook quickly, and they will sear nicely. Both cuts are great for stir fry and since they cook quickly you don’t have to worry about raw beef once you add the broccoli and sauce, as the sauce will cook quickly. Another reason is that with more marbled cuts of beef you will lose a lot of that fat during rendering due to the how you will slice the beef.
What should I serve with beef and broccoli?
Normally I would suggest serving this on top of a bed of steamed rice or with some noodles. However, there are some great ways to add additional flavors that are also quick and easy ways to keep this meal fresh and interesting. Check out some of these ideas:
- Sauteed mushrooms in sesame oil and sake
- Ginger couscous
- Quinoa with lemongrass and green onions
How to make beef and broccoli in 30 minutes
The key is to get the vegetables chopped and beef sliced thinly. Once that is ready and you start cooking everything will be done in less than 15 minutes. Once all the vegetables have been cut combine all the sauce ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Heat half of the sesame oil in a large skillet and cook the broccoli for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer the broccoli onto a plate.
Return the pan to the heat, add the remaining oil and cook the beef until all sides are brown, about 3 minutes. Add the sauce and broccoli and cook until the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes. Make sure you stir continuously to prevent the sauce from burning as the sugar and cornstarch can scorch. Serve with your favorite starch or eat as is.
Looking for other beef recipes?
Beef and Broccoli
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Large pan
- Tongs
- Plate
Ingredients
- 1 pound flank steak cut into thin strips
- 1 pound broccoli sliced, roughly
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil divided
Sauce
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ½ tablespoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a bowl mix the water, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic, rice vinegar, ginger, and pepper flakes together. Whisk or mix until combined and set aside.½ cup water, ½ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 ½ tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, ½ tablespoon ginger, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- In a large pan heat 1½ tablespoons of sesame oil over medium high heat. Add the broccoli and sauté for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Transfer the broccoli to a plate.3 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 pound broccoli
- Add the remaining sesame oil to the pan and over medium high brown the steak stirring frequently to brown evenly.3 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 pound flank steak
- After the steak has been browned on all sides, about 3 minutes, add the broccoli and sauce and cook until thickened stirring constantly, 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and serve.
Nutrition
This is such a such a quick and easy dish and is perfect for my midweek dinners when I am short on time.