Swap the takeout for this 15-minute Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry instead! Sliced flank steak, broccoli florets, and a flavorful stir fry sauce come together in one pan to create this flavorful dish that’s perfect for dinner, meal prep, and more.
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15-minute beef and broccoli recipe
Instead of reaching for the takeout menu after a busy day, make this quick and easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry! This super savory and satisfying meal comes together in one pan and is ready to eat after just 15 minutes. It’s perfect for those lazy nights or when you need something in a flash for meal prep.
Beef broccoli stir fry features 3 simple elements:
- Sliced flank steak
- Broccoli florets
- And a tangy, sweet, and savory stir fry sauce
The meal is complete when served over white rice, noodles, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice if you’re looking to lessen the carbs. Serve each bowl next to cucumber salad and blistered shishito peppers for a simple homemade dinner that’s even easier and more budget-friendly than your typical Friday night takeout.
What’s the best cut of beef for beef stir fry?
Flank steak is the top choice when making beef and broccoli because it’s tender and lean. It’s sliced into thin strips, which cook easily, soak in tons of flavor, and make the entire dish easy to chew. Flank steak is also an inexpensive cut of beef and keeps this recipe budget-friendly.
If you don’t have flank steak, replace it with another lean beef. Top sirloin, tri-tip, and strip steak are all great alternatives. Ground beef can also be used as a last-minute resort.
Ingredient notes
- Steak – Flank steak is best in beef and broccoli because it’s lean, tender, and extra flavorful when cut into small strips and pan fried.
- Broccoli – Either chop the broccoli into florets yourself or save time by buying pre-chopped broccoli instead.
- Soy sauce – Or use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten free stir fry sauce.
- Chicken stock – This can be substituted for beef stock, vegetable stock, or bone broth.
- Rice wine vinegar – While I don’t recommend replacing the rice vinegar with any other kind, you can use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar in a pinch.
- Brown sugar – The added sweetness creates balance among the acidic and savory ingredients.
- Ginger and garlic – Necessary for a savory baseline of flavor.
How to make beef and broccoli stir fry
Prepping beef and broccoli is so easy and there’s no marinating involved! The entire dish is cooked in one pan and ready to enjoy in less than 15 minutes. This is how it’s done:
- Slice the flank steak.
Cut the flank steak in half lengthwise. Slice it against the grain into thin strips. Pro tip: Freeze the steak for 10 to 15 minutes first so it’s easier to cut.
- Make the beef and broccoli sauce.
Whisk the soy sauce, chicken stock, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and Sriracha together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cook the steak.
Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the steak and cook until it’s browned and cooked through. Transfer it to a bowl while you cook the broccoli.
- Cook the broccoli.
Place the broccoli in the same pan and cook until the florets are slightly firm and tender. Transfer it to a bowl.
- Combine everything with the sauce.
Pour the sauce into the pan and cook until it slightly thickens. Add the steak and broccoli back into the pan and toss to coat. Once it’s warmed through, serve the beef and broccoli over rice or noodles and enjoy!
Beef broccoli variations
- Instead of beef – Chicken and pork can easily be used instead of the steak tips.
- Looking for a vegetarian version? Replace the meat with tofu, vegetarian “steak tips”, or soy curls.
- Low carb beef and broccoli – Replace the brown sugar in the stir fry sauce with a keto sweetener, like stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
- Add more vegetables – Cauliflower, bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, or edamame would all be delicious additions.
- For serving – Beef and broccoli can be served over rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa, rice noodles, gluten free soba noodles, or on its own.
Making ahead and storing
Beef broccoli stir fry is a perfect meal prep recipe because it can be made a few days ahead of time and is super filling! Once the batch is cooked and cooled, store some in an airtight container with rice or noodles in the fridge for about 4 days. The leftovers can be reheated easily in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove.
Looking for more takeout-inspired recipes?
If you try this Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!
Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Ingredients
Beef and Broccoli
- 1 ½ lb flank steak very thinly sliced into bite-sized strips
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 ½ lb broccoli (cut into 6 cups of florets)
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds for serving
- 2 green onions finely chopped for serving
Stir Fry Sauce
- ⅔ cup soy sauce reduced sodium preferred
- ½ cup chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar packed
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh ginger grated
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha or more to taste
Instructions
- Cut steak in half lengthwise and then cut into thin strips against the grain. Tip: it’s easier if you freeze the meat for about 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Prep the broccoli by cutting into bite sizes, I like to cut the stem off and finely slice them.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, chicken stock, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, Sriracha and set aside.
- Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak and cook in batches without overcrowding the pan, flipping once, about 1-2 minutes per side. Remove to a bowl. Repeat until all the steak is cooked.
- In the same pan, add the broccoli florets and stems, cook for 2 minutes on high heat. You want the broccoli to still have a bite. Remove to a plate.
- Add sauce to the same pan, scrape off any bits with a wooden spoon and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the steak and broccoli back in along with any meat juices and cook until reheated for 2 minutes to hear back up. Toss while cooking.
- Serve over rice or noodles, top with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Instead of beef – Chicken and pork can easily be used instead of the steak tips.
- Looking for a vegetarian version? Replace the meat with tofu, vegetarian “steak tips”, or soy curls.
- Low carb beef and broccoli – Replace the brown sugar in the stir fry sauce with a keto sweetener, like stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
- Add more vegetables – Cauliflower, bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, or edamame would all be delicious additions.
- For serving – Beef and broccoli can be served over rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa, rice noodles, gluten-free soba noodles, or on its own.
Elizabeth
Someone recommended this to me to….WOW! Super flavorful and perfect for a weeknight throw together meal. Thank you!
lena
I am so happy to hear that Elizabeth. Glad you loved the recipe.
Beatrice
so flavorful and yummy. it was very easy to make and i cant wait to do it again.