Beef and Broccoli + RECIPE VIDEO

Beef and Broccoli is a popular Chinese takeout dish that shows up at our house regularly.

We love an easy stir-fry dish for busy weeknights. And for those days we need a totally stove-free option, this slow cooker beef and broccoli and Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli are great options that let us skip that restaurant pick-up window.

This dish holds a very special place in my heart. Along with fried rice, lo mein and this sweet and sour chicken, beef and broccoli was one of the very first “real” dishes my parents taught all three of us kids how to make.

Making Healthier Asian Recipes

This healthier Beef and Broccoli recipe is just as tasty as any takeout version. It’s totally skinny-jean friendly since we are using less oil, lower sodium soy sauce and a leaner cut of beef.

Plus, there’s also an option to make this gluten-free or paleo friendly if you are trying to incorporate more of those recipes into your diet.

To ensure that the broccoli stays nice and crisp and the beef tender and juicy, you should blanch the broccoli in boiling water for about 30 seconds prior to sauteing it in the pan – then quickly rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. It’s worth the extra step, but feel free to skip it if you are in a pinch.

 

Tips for Cooking Beef and Broccoli

These tips will help you create the most delicious beef and broccoli possible:

• Preheat the pan – The key to getting that nice restaurant sizzle is to get the pan really, really hot before adding the beef. Using an [amazon_textlink asin=’B000HKJGGW’ text=’electric wok’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’lifmadswe09-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’c294ff0b-3ce2-11e8-b4bb-09b98c09f62e’] will produce the best results.
• Hot oil – Let the pan sit on high heat with the cooking oil for about 2 minutes, or until you see enough steam rising, before adding the beef and garlic.
• Thinly sliced beef – Cutting the beef nice and thin and coating it with cornstarch seals in that rich flavor. It also adds a nice and juicy coating to the marinated beef strips. And you won’t have to worry about tough and chewy pieces. Make sure your knife is sharp. I like to use [amazon_textlink asin=’B00004RFLJ’ text=’this Chef’s knife’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’lifmadswe09-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’fbd4744b-3ce2-11e8-88ce-d3a172b14bd8′].

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Beef and Broccoli + RECIPE VIDEO

Prep Time

14 mins

Cook Time

12 mins

Resting Time

10 mins

Total Time

26 mins

 

Skinny Beef and Broccoli stir fry – skip the takeout when that craving hits! This easy and flavorful dish is healthier and way better than any restaurant version.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Keyword: beef and broccoli recipe easy, easy chinese dinner, weeknight meal asian

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 191 kcal

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound flank steak or sirloin, trimmed of fat, very thinly sliced against the grain
• 1 Tablespoon cooking oil
• water for blanching broccoli (omit if not blanching)
• 2 cloves garlic finely minced
• 1/4 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 3-1/2 cups broccoli florets about 1 head

For the Beef Marinade:

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch or arrowroot or tapioca starch for paleo
• 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce can substitute with gluten free tamari or coconut aminos for paleo-friendly version
• 1/4 teaspoon dark soy sauce optional for color & extra flavor(leave out for gluten free or paleo version)
• 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

For the Sauce:

• 1-1/2 Tablespoons oyster sauce or vegetarian flavored oyster sauce, leave out for paleo version
• 1-1/2 Teaspoons low sodium soy sauce can substitute with gluten free tamari or coconut aminos for paleo-friendly version
• 1/4 teaspoon dark soy sauce optional, but recommended
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar or 1 teaspoon raw honey for paleo
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Mirin Chinese cooking wine or dry sherry (omit for paleo version)
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch can substitute with arrowroot or tapioca starch for paleo
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/3 cup cold water sodium free chicken broth for extra flavor, plus more as needed to thin out the sauce

Serving Suggestions:

• cooked rice, quinoa, or noodles

Instructions

1. Marinate the beef: In a medium bowl, mix together all of the ingredients for the marinade. Add the beef slices and stir until coated. Set aside for at least 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile blanch the broccoli: (skip if not blanching) In a large non-stick saute pan or wok on high heat, bring the water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for about 30 seconds. Drain and immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
3. Make the sauce: Combine all the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.
4. Heat cooking oil over high heat, for about 2 minutes - using the same non-stick pan or wok you used for your broccoli. The pan needs to be hot enough that you start seeing a little bit of smoke rising.
5. Quickly add the beef to the smoking pan and spread the pieces out to a single layer allowing them to sear and brown. Add the garlic and continue cooking until the meat is no longer pink (about 1-2 minutes making sure not to overcook). Pour in the sauce, stirring constantly, until the sauce boils and thickens - about 30 seconds. Add more water if needed to thin out the sauce. Quickly stir in the broccoli and toss everything together to coat well. Salt and pepper to taste.
6. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
7. For meal prep: Divide evenly into lunch containers with your favorite carb - rice, quinoa or noodles.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Beef and Broccoli + RECIPE VIDEO

Amount Per Serving (1 serving (1/4 recipe))

Calories 191 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Cholesterol 51mg17%

Sodium 228mg10%

Potassium 397mg11%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 19g38%

Vitamin A 215IU4%

Vitamin C 30.9mg37%

Calcium 37mg4%

Iron 1.6mg9%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

More takeout favorites:General Tso’s ChickenSlow cooker / Crockpot Chicken Lo Mein Noodles (a reader favorite pinned over 1 million times)    Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Chicken     Easy Chicken Lo Mein    Chicken Chow Mien     Shanghai Fried Noodles    For even more Asian-inspired recipes, I’ve found a ton on Pinterest you can check out: Follow Life Made Sweeter’s board Asian-Inspired Dishes on Pinterest.  If you want to find more easy & authentic Slow Cooker Asian recipes The Asian Slow Cooker cookbook is now available for SALE HERE. It was named one of the BEST Books of 2016 by The Washington Post with Ina Garten and Donna Hay.

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books- A- Million, Indie Bound, Indigo and wherever books are sold

 

We’ve gathered more new recipes for you to check out this month! Make sure to check out all the delicious recipes!