It’s 7:47 PM on a Wednesday here in Heek, and the familiar dinnertime scramble is on. The temptation to reach for a takeout menu is strong, I know. But what if I told you that you could make a sizzling, savory, and incredibly delicious meal that’s not only better than takeout, but also faster than waiting for delivery? Let me introduce you to your new weeknight hero: this amazing Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry Dinner Recipe.
This isn’t just any stir-fry. This is the one that gets everything right. We’re talking incredibly tender slices of beef, broccoli that’s the perfect vibrant green and tender-crisp (no mushiness allowed!), all enveloped in a rich, glossy, and savory garlic-ginger sauce that you’ll want to eat with a spoon.
This is the meal that proves a fresh, wholesome, and flavor-packed dinner is completely achievable, even on the busiest of nights. Forget the disappointing, greasy takeout and get ready to master this classic in your own kitchen. Let’s get the wok sizzling!
The 20-Minute Takeout Killer
The magic of a great stir-fry lies in two things: a killer sauce and the right technique. For years, I was on a mission to replicate the addictive flavor of my favorite Chinese restaurant’s beef and broccoli. I learned that the secret to that rich, glossy sauce wasn’t a long list of ingredients, but a perfect balance of savory, aromatic, and slightly sweet notes. And the key to tender beef wasn’t the price of the cut, but how you slice and prepare it.
This recipe is the culmination of all that delicious research. It’s built around a simple, foolproof sauce and a technique called “velveting” for the beef, which guarantees it stays tender and juicy. It’s a celebration of high-heat, fast cooking that brings out the best in simple, fresh ingredients. It’s the ultimate fast food, made right at home.
Why This Will Be Your New Weeknight Hero:
- Seriously Fast: I’m not kidding when I say this is a 20-minute meal from fridge to table, once your ingredients are prepped.
- Incredible “Wok Hei” Flavor: We use high heat to create that amazing, savory, slightly smoky flavor that’s the hallmark of a great stir-fry.
- Tender Beef & Crisp Broccoli, Guaranteed: I’ll share the simple secrets to slicing the beef for maximum tenderness and cooking the broccoli so it stays perfectly crisp.
- A Complete, Healthyish Meal: It’s a fantastic, balanced dinner with lean protein and a heaping serving of green veggies.
Ingredients & Equipment
For the Savory Stir-Fry Sauce:
- Soy Sauce (Sojasauce): 80 ml (⅓ cup), low-sodium.
- Beef Broth (Rinderbrühe): 80 ml (⅓ cup).
- Oyster Sauce (Austernsauce): 2 tablespoons. This adds incredible depth and is a key ingredient!
- Brown Sugar: 1 tablespoon, packed.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: 1 teaspoon (to be added at the end).
- Cornstarch (Speisestärke): 2 teaspoons, for the slurry.
For the Beef and Broccoli:
- Beef Sirloin or Flank Steak (Hüftsteak or Bavette): 500g (about 1 lb).
- Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon (for marinating the beef).
- Soy Sauce: 1 tablespoon (for marinating the beef).
- Broccoli: 1 large head, cut into bite-sized florets.
- Vegetable Oil or other high-smoke-point oil: 2-3 tablespoons, divided.
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced.
- Fresh Ginger: 1 tablespoon, grated.
- For Serving: Hot steamed rice and sesame seeds for garnish.
Helpful Equipment:
- A large wok or a 12-inch skillet (cast iron is great).
- Several small bowls for your
mise en place.
Time Estimates
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 25 minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Stir-frying moves very fast. The most important step is to have every single ingredient chopped, measured, and ready to go before you turn on the heat.
Step 1: Prep and Marinate the Beef Slice the beef very thinly (about 3mm or ⅛-inch) against the grain. (Pro-tip: Freeze the beef for 20-30 minutes to make it much easier to slice thinly). In a medium bowl, toss the beef slices with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce until coated. Let it sit while you prep everything else.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the ⅓ cup of soy sauce, beef broth, oyster sauce, and brown sugar. Set this sauce mixture aside.
Step 3: Pre-cook the Broccoli Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in your wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and 2 tablespoons of water. Cover and let them steam-fry for 2-3 minutes, until they are bright green and tender-crisp. Immediately remove the broccoli from the wok and set it aside on a plate.
Step 4: Sear the Beef Wipe out the wok, return it to high heat, and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is shimmering hot, add half of the marinated beef in a single layer. Let it sear for 1-2 minutes per side without moving it too much, until browned. Remove the seared beef and set it aside with the broccoli. Repeat with the remaining beef, adding a little more oil if needed.
Step 5: Build the Sauce Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the wok and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the prepared sauce mixture. Bring it to a simmer, stirring, and let it bubble for 1 minute.
Step 6: Thicken and Combine Mix the 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the simmering sauce, whisking as you do, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
Step 7: Finish the Stir-Fry Return the cooked beef and broccoli to the wok. Toss everything together in the glossy sauce for about 1 minute until heated through. Turn off the heat and stir in the toasted sesame oil.
Step 8: Serve Immediately Serve the beef and broccoli stir-fry immediately over hot steamed rice, garnished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Notes, Tips, & Variations
- Mise en Place is Everything: I can’t say it enough—the key to a stress-free stir-fry is having all your ingredients prepped and within arm’s reach before you start cooking.
- The Secret to Tender Beef: Slicing the beef thinly against the grain and giving it a quick “velveting” toss in cornstarch and soy sauce makes all the difference. It creates a protective layer that keeps the beef tender and helps it brown.
- Veggie Add-ins: This is a great recipe for adding more vegetables. Thinly sliced carrots, mushrooms, or red bell peppers can be stir-fried for a minute or two before you add the garlic and ginger.
- Make it Spicy: Love a bit of heat? Add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to your sauce mixture.
The Best Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Sauce:
- 80 ml ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 80 ml ⅓ cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp cold water
- For the Stir-Fry:
- 500 g 1 lb sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 large head of broccoli in florets
- 2-3 tbsp vegetable oil divided
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
- For Serving: Cooked rice sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prep: Slice beef thinly against the grain. In a bowl, toss it with 1 tbsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp soy sauce. In a separate small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients (⅓ cup soy sauce, broth, oyster sauce, sugar).
- Cook Broccoli: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add broccoli and 2 tbsp water, cover and steam-fry for 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender. Remove from wok.
- Cook Beef: Add 1 tbsp oil to the hot wok. Sear the beef in two batches for 1-2 minutes per side until browned. Remove from wok.
- Make Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Pour in the sauce mixture and bring to a simmer.
- Thicken: Mix 2 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp cold water to make a slurry. Whisk it into the simmering sauce until it thickens and becomes glossy.
- Combine: Return the cooked beef and broccoli to the wok. Toss to coat in the sauce. Turn off the heat and stir in the toasted sesame oil.
- Serve immediately over rice, garnished with sesame seeds.
Notes
- Slicing beef thinly against the grain and marinating it with cornstarch is the key to tender results.
- Have all ingredients prepped before you start cooking, as stir-frying is very fast.
- Add other vegetables like sliced carrots or bell peppers if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do I make sure my beef is tender and not chewy? There are two essential secrets! First, slice your beef thinly and always against the grain. This shortens the muscle fibers, making it much more tender to chew. Second, the quick marinade with cornstarch and soy sauce (a simple “velveting” technique) creates a protective coating that helps lock in moisture and keeps the beef tender during the high-heat cooking.
2. My broccoli always gets mushy in stir-fries. How do I keep it crisp? The best way to control the texture of the broccoli is to cook it separately first. My favorite method is the quick “steam-fry” in the recipe: cooking it in the hot wok with just a couple of tablespoons of water and a lid for 2-3 minutes. This cooks it perfectly to a vibrant, crisp-tender state. Then you remove it and add it back at the very end, just to coat it in the sauce.
3. What is oyster sauce and can I leave it out? Oyster sauce is a thick, savory sauce that’s a staple in Chinese cooking. It adds a deep, rich umami flavor that isn’t “fishy” at all. It’s a key ingredient for that authentic restaurant flavor. If you absolutely can’t find it, you can leave it out, but the sauce will be less complex. You might want to add a little more soy sauce and a pinch more sugar to compensate.
4. Can I add other vegetables to this stir-fry? Of course! This is a great recipe for cleaning out the fridge. Thinly sliced carrots, red bell peppers, mushrooms, snow peas, or water chestnuts would all be delicious. Add heartier vegetables like carrots just before the broccoli, and quicker-cooking vegetables like snow peas at the very end with the broccoli.
Ready to Fire Up the Wok?
I hope this recipe helps you conquer your takeout cravings and shows you just how easy it is to make a phenomenal stir-fry at home. The sizzling sound of the wok and the incredible aroma that fills your kitchen is half the fun! If you make this Beef and Broccoli, please let me know how it turned out by leaving a comment and a star rating below!
For more quick and delicious weeknight meals, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram. Now, all you need is a bowl of Easy Ground Beef Casserole Dinner Recipe to complete the meal!