Skip the takeout and whip up a fast and fresh recipe for Easy Beef and Broccoli in 20 minutes or less.
Yes, you read that correctly … 20 minutes! As in, you are less than half an episode of Fixer Upper away from digging your chopsticks into a big ol’ bowl of the most flavorful, tender, saucy Easy Beef and Broccoli.
The classic takeout dishes (think Orange Chicken, Pad Thai and Chicken Egg Rolls) were one of my many cravings during my second pregnancy so I decided a fast and fresh version of beef and broccoli was a must!
There are just two tablespoons of oil in this entire dish, and you better believe it’s still packed with all that sweet, tangy, garlicky soy sauce flavor. After all, isn’t the best part of beef and broccoli the gravy-like sauce?
It has to be thick enough to coat the tender slices of beef and the broccoli florets, without weighing down the entire dish. And most importantly, there has to be just enough sauce so that the accompanying rice also gets a chance to soak up all that glorious garlicky gravy. Want to see for yourself? Tune in below!
Mouth watering yet? Grab your knife and get ready to slice and dice your way to Easy Beef and Broccoli that’s guaranteed to kick those takeout menus to the curb.
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Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch, divided
- 1 pound flank steak, cut into thin 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 3 Tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 4 cups small broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup sliced white onions
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water. Add the beef to the bowl and toss to combine.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch with the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and ginger. Set the sauce aside.
- Heat a large nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil and once it is hot, add the beef and cook, stirring constantly until the beef is almost cooked through. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a plate and set it aside.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pan and once it is hot, add the broccoli florets and sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is tender, about 4 minutes. (See Kelly’s Notes.)
- Return the beef to the pan then add the prepared sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until the sauce thickens slightly. Serve with rice or noodles.
Kelly's Notes:
- To guarantee bright green broccoli, blanch the florets in boiling water then drain and dry it very well before adding it to the pan. If you opt for this additional blanching step, reduce the cooking time of the broccoli to 2 minutes.
- The sauce must come to a boil in order for the cornstarch to work as a thickening agent.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
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Recipe by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.
So delicious and easy to make!! Need more like this!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Vickie!
can i use frozen vegetables?
Hi Rosy – Yes! My number 1 tip for using frozen veggies in a stir-fry is to ensure you account for the extra water they release if you don’t thaw them ahead of time. As the frozen veggies cook, they’ll release water, and as long as your pan is not covered and you’re using medium-high heat, that water should evaporate quickly.
Husband says it taste just like take out! Thanks for the recipe. Will make over and over again. flavor is great!
Amazing! I’m so thrilled you and your husband enjoyed the recipe, Traci!
Wonderful. I added more broccoli and omitted putting it over rice…loved it
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Charlene!
Really enjoyed this recipe. I adjusted it for a smaller portion and added green onions along with the yellow onions. Quick, easy and delicious
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Ann!
Can I use regular sugar I forgot the brown sugar
Hi Sandra! If you have honey on hand, I’d recommend using that instead. :)
The broccoli beef recipe was great!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Nan!
Great recipe! The kids love this recipe. They are always asking for it.
I’m so happy to read this, Heather!
Delicious! The whole family loved it!
I’m so happy to read this, K!
Easy to follow and make. Very tasty dish, my kids mowed it down.
I’m so happy to read this, Ryan!
I’m super excited to make this recipe tonight!!! I only have one question before I make it… Do you have to rinse off the meat after it has soaked in the corn starch flurry before you cook it? Thank you for such an easy recipe to follow!
Hi Robin! No, you don’t rinse the meat. :) Enjoy!