beef and broccoli recipe: 5 Easy Restaurant Style Dishes

Mastering the Perfect Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry at Home

Craving a homemade version of the classic Beef and Broccoli stir-fry that rivals your favorite restaurant? After many trials with chewy beef and soggy broccoli, I’ve finally perfected a recipe that delivers tender beef, crisp-tender broccoli, and a savory-sweet sauce—all ready in under 30 minutes. Say goodbye to takeout and hello to your new favorite dinner!

Why You’ll Love This Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

This recipe isn’t your average stir-fry. Here’s what makes it outstanding:

Tender Beef: A simple velveting marinade with baking soda works wonders, making your beef melt in your mouth.
Perfectly Crisp Broccoli: Quick blanching keeps your florets vibrantly green and just crunchy enough.
Flavorful Sauce: A blend of soy, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil creates a rich, umami-packed coating.
Quick & Easy: Ready in about 30 minutes—quicker than ordering delivery!

What You’ll Need

Beef Marinade

1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking soda (secret tenderizer!)
1 tsp rice wine or dry sherry

Sauce

¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp oyster sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
½ cup chicken broth or water
1 tsp sesame oil

Stir-Fry Ingredients

4 cups broccoli florets (about 2 medium heads)
3 tbsp vegetable oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
2 green onions, sliced diagonal for garnish
Cooked rice, to serve

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Preparing for Success

Freeze & Slice Beef: Chill steak in freezer 20 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain for best texture.
Marinate & Velvet: Mix beef with soy, cornstarch, baking soda, and rice wine. Let it rest 15–30 minutes to tenderize.
Mix Sauce: Whisk all sauce ingredients until smooth; set aside.
Blanch Broccoli: Boil broccoli for 2 minutes, then shock in ice water. Drain and dry to keep crispness.

Stir-Fry Time

Sear Beef: On high heat, add 2 tbsp oil to wok/pan. Sear beef undisturbed 1 min, then stir-fry 1–2 min until nearly cooked. Remove.
Aromatics: Add 1 tbsp oil, then garlic and ginger. Stir 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cook Broccoli: Toss broccoli in, stir-fry 1 minute.
Finish It Off: Return beef to pan. Stir in sauce, cooking until thick and bubbly (1–2 min).
Serve: Garnish with green onions and serve hot over rice.

Avoid These Common Pitfalls

Don’t skip velveting: Baking soda in marinade tenderizes beef like magic.
Use a large pan: Avoid overcrowding, which causes steaming instead of a proper sear.
Cut broccoli evenly: Bite-sized pieces cook consistently.
Add ingredients in order: Follow timing to ensure perfect texture.

Variations & Substitutions

Swap beef for thin chicken thighs, shrimp, or firm tofu (skip velveting for latter two).
Use snow peas, bell peppers, asparagus, or mushrooms instead of broccoli.
Add chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes for heat; increase brown sugar for sweetness.
For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and check oyster sauce labels.
No rice wine? Use dry white wine or a splash of apple juice.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead?
Yes! Prep all components separately and stir-fry just before serving. Slightly undercook broccoli if fully cooking ahead.

Best beef cuts?
Flank steak and sirloin are ideal for flavor and tenderness.

Why isn’t my sauce thickening?
Make sure cornstarch is fully dissolved, pan is hot, and sauce simmers long enough.

Can I freeze leftovers?
You can, but broccoli texture will worsen. Undercook broccoli slightly for freezing.

How to know beef is done?
It should be just barely pink after the first sear—finishes cooking in the sauce.

Final Thoughts

This recipe proves you don’t need takeout for delicious Chinese classics. Master these techniques, and you’ll soon be dazzling family and friends with restaurant-quality beef and broccoli from your very own kitchen!

Looking for more fast dinners? Check out these 30-minute meal solutions to keep weekday dinners simple and delicious. Want to learn more about velveting? This comprehensive velveting guide from The Woks of Life has you covered.

Grab your wok—or trusty skillet—and let’s get cooking! No tipping required.