This easy Beef and Broccoli recipe is made on the stovetop and is done in under 25 minutes. Your family will love this simple and easy recipe.
I don’t know if I can think about broccoli at all – for the rest of time – without remembering the time I convinced my daughter (age two at the time) to think of her broccoli as zebras running for their lives from a lion.
She was the lion.
She literally started growling at her broccoli and devoured every last piece.
Now she eats broccoli without morphing into a predator. And she absolutely loves this Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry.
This easy skillet dinner is going to become a huge win in your house, too. My favorite part about it is that it is done in just under 25 minutes. That’s faster than going to get takeout! It will make you feel like no matter how busy your life is, you can create a warm home-cooked meal for the family.
I have made this a couple or more times. It’s easy & quick to prepare. I like this for a quick meal. It will be my go to recipe.
Ingredients
- Steak: Flank steak or sirloin are great options for this recipe — they’re flavorful, tender, and easy to slice thinly against the grain (which helps them cook quickly and stay tender).
- Broccoli: Fresh broccoli florets are best for this recipe since they hold their shape and color when cooked. You can use frozen broccoli in a pinch — just thaw it first and pat it dry to avoid adding extra water to the pan.
- Soy sauce: This is the base of your stir-fry sauce and brings that classic salty, umami flavor. I recommend using low-sodium soy sauce to better control the saltiness. If you don’t have low-sodium soy sauce on hand, use 1/3 cup soy sauce and the rest water to make 1/2 cup total liquid.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce.
- Seasonings: A mix of garlic, freshly grated ginger, brown sugar and chili paste gives the dish its signature flavor. You can also add a dash of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
How to Make Beef and Broccoli
Cook the Beef
Heat the oil in the skillet and then add the thinly cut flat iron steak. Just stir it occasionally and cook it until it is no longer pink, about two to three minutes.
Make the Sauce
I like to whisk together the sauce for this recipe while the beef is cooking. It cuts a little of the prep time on this recipe.
Cook the Broccoli
Remove the beef from the skillet. Add in the cut fresh broccoli florets. You may need to add a little more oil to the skillet if the broccoli starts to brown too quickly.
Combine Everything
After the broccoli is tender, about four minutes, add the beef back in and then add in the sauce. You are going to cook just until the sauce thickens up, about two to three minutes. I like to serve this over white rice with a garnish of sesame seeds and green onions.
Which Cut of Beef to Use for Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
We are using flat iron steak because of how tender and well-marbled it is. This allows us to skip marinating it, cutting down on the time necessary for this recipe. This cut of meat is best when it is sliced into thin strips against the grain and cooked to medium.
If you are unable to find flat iron steak, sirloin steak would be a great replacement. As a last resort, you could also use skirt steak or flank steak. In that case, you will want to marinate the beef for at least six hours. Duplicate the sauce for this recipe and use that as a marinade. Remove the beef before cooking and discard the marinade.
A Note About Soy Sauce
Salt is that great ingredient that can pull an entire recipe together. But overdo it and you have something you can’t even eat. The same thing goes for soy sauce, the base of the beef and broccoli sauce. Because of that, you want to use a low-sodium soy sauce.
If that is not something you have on hand, no need to worry; just replace some of the regular soy sauce with water. Replace the 1/2 cup of low-sodium sauce with 1/3 cup regular soy sauce + 2 2/3 tablespoons water. In other words, fill up a 1 cup class measuring cup with soy sauce to the 1/3 mark and then fill it up to 1/2 cup mark with water.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. I recommend keeping the beef and broccoli separate from any leftover rice. As with all recipes, use your best discretion when it comes to leftovers.
To reheat, take out the portion that you want to eat, and reheat on the stove top over low heat until warmed through. Alternatively, place in a microwave-safe container, covered, and heat on half power for two to four minutes.
What to Serve with Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Round out your meal with some of these great recipes:
If you like this easy beef and broccoli recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know!
Easy Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound flat iron steak sliced thin, read here why we use flat iron. See note 1 (453.6 grams)
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce see note 2 (118.3 ml)
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 – 2 teaspoons chili paste (we normally buy this) see note 3
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 head of broccoli cut into florets approximately 4 cups
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the beef and cook until no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Remove it from the pan.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound flat iron steak
- While the beef is cooking, whisk together the soy sauce, water, corn starch, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, chili paste, and red pepper flakes.1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 tablespoon minced fresh ginger, 1 – 2 teaspoons chili paste, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1/3 cup water
- Add the broccoli and sauté until tender, about 4 minutes. Add more oil as needed so the broccoli does not burn.1 head of broccoli cut into florets
- Return the meat to the pan, and stir in the sauce. Cook until the sauce has thickened, about three minutes. Serve with rice or cauliflower rice for a low carb option.
Recipe Video
Notes
- If you are unable to find flat iron steak, sirloin steak would be a great replacement. As a last resort, you could also use skirt steak or flank steak.
- If you don’t have low sodium soy sauce on hand, use 1/3 cup soy sauce and the rest water to make 1/2 cup total liquid.
- If you like your dishes spicy, make sure to add two teaspoons of chili paste. Just 1 teaspoon will give it just a small, nice little kick.
- Please note that the nutritional information does not include the rice.
Teresa Legler says
Hi LIsa, I love Beef with Broccoli, but the sodium is more than my maximum daily allowance of 1140mg daily. Saw your suggestion for diluting regular soy sauce, wondering if way to dilute even more. Kidney Disease is a challenge. thanks for all of your wonderful recipes.
I would give it a try for sure. Since you are on a low sodium diet, you won’t miss the salt, your taste buds are likely already used to it. But I would probably increase the ginger, garlic, and chili paste just a little to give it a bump in flavor.
Arlen Smithe says
My son won’t eat broccoli so I will sub green peppers instead. I love broccoli and I will put some in for me. It looks delicious.
Teresa Legler says
Thanks Lisa,
Just found your response in my “Junk” mailbox!
I will try your suggestions.
Thanks for your wonderful recipes. Due to diet restrictions have to adjust spices & sodium.
Blessings from Shreveport,LA
Joey says
The recipe is not bad but I would half the amount of soy sauce used and add some rice wine vinegar. It was suoer salty when I made it.
Kenna says
I love the recipe also and it is on the menu. Chili paste is a broad term. Not exactly sure what to buy- sweet, hot, mild? Like most AMERICANS salt is an issue. Even low sodium soy sauce is only minimally better than regular. So hard because Asian food is so very delicious.
Good point, Kenna! I added a link to the brand of chili paste we use.
Laura Denise Monroe says
I ran out of soy sauce so replaced it with Worcestershire sauce and extra chili sauce, Yummy
I never would have thought of that as a swap. I’m glad it worked for you!
Jess says
I absolutely love this recipe and my kids love it as well! I have made it with the broccoli and without, I always add bell peppers (red, green and yellow) and onions to this recipe. I also use worcheshire sauce with the soy (I don’t do a full 1/2 of soy). I also cook my steak in a couple splashes of Worcestershire and teriyaki sauce. Definitely a hit and a keeper recipe!!
I’m so glad your family enjoys this recipe!
Diane M Meier says
how do you make chili paste
I don’t! I purchase it. This is my favorite brand: Chili Paste.
Ann says
Absolutely the best Asian dish ever! We’ve made this with sirloin (sliced thinly) and with chicken breast. My daughter made it for her family and her picky 19 month old son licked his plate! The sauce is spot on. Lunch friends said it smelled just like take out. Bonus is its very low points on weight watchers with the chicken! This will be made weekly!
I’m so happy that it is such a hit for your family, Ann!
Kathy Lucy says
I have been hunting for your type of easy, healthy meals, and I am so happy I have found your recipes. Thank You so much. Foods of all kinds have been turning me off since I have been recovering from Covid. At my age, this has become serious and I am fighting to win. Doctors recommend small meals, simple meals with only a few ingrediences, mainly vegetables. Seriously, I am down to 93lbs but have the heart and mind to get back to real health. Do any of your recipes fall in the group of people getting their health back after Covid. (no cancer found) I am sure there are hundreds of other Covid patients with the same problem. No taste buds, Soo tired, but still smileing Kathy
Kathy, first, I am so so sorry for what you are going through. That sounds horrific. My low carb recipes probably fit the bill most. Next, I would suggest just pursuing my dinner recipes and running with anything that looks remotely good to you. My recipes (by and large) have instructions for leftovers and a lot of them are freezer friendly. I think it’s a great idea to make a full dinner and then freeze the leftovers in smaller portions so when you have zero energy, you still have recipes waiting for you. Stuffed Peppers would be especially good for this. They freeze great in individual portions. Sending you lots of love and good vibes for fast healing!