Description
A quick and flavorful Beef and Broccoli stir-fry recipe that can be made in just 30 minutes. Tender flank steak slices and crisp-tender broccoli florets are cooked in a savory sauce made with low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, fresh ginger, garlic, and a hint of toasted sesame oil. Perfect for a healthy and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Broccoli
- 1 pound flank steak
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 3-4 cups broccoli florets
Sauce
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/4 cup (packed) brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: Trim any fat from the flank steak and slice it thinly across the grain into bite-sized pieces. Whisk together all the sauce ingredients—soy sauce, water, vinegar, toasted sesame oil, brown sugar, cornstarch, grated ginger, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes—in a bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Heat the skillet and cook broccoli: Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet and heat over high until the oil shimmers. Add the broccoli florets and stir or toss frequently for 4-5 minutes until they become tender-crisp. Remove the broccoli from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Cook the beef: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Spread the beef pieces in a single layer in the skillet and let them sear undisturbed for about 1 minute. Flip and stir with cooking tongs, cooking for another minute or so. The beef should be slightly rare at this stage to avoid toughness.
- Combine broccoli and sauce: Return the cooked broccoli to the skillet with the beef. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and broccoli; stir and toss the mixture until everything is evenly coated and the sauce thickens, about 1-3 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat immediately to prevent overcooking and serve the Beef and Broccoli hot for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Slicing the flank steak thin and across the grain ensures the beef remains tender.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the salt content of the dish.
- Toasted sesame oil adds a nutty aroma but is used sparingly because of its strong flavor.
- The broccoli should be cooked until just tender-crisp for the best texture.
- Be careful not to overcook the beef as it will become tough quickly.