This Beef and Broccoli is better than takeout! Make this easy Beef and Broccoli at home in under thirty minutes! Find out my secret tip to make the beef extra tender.
Raise your hand if you are a big fan of Chinese food! Well, friends, I sure am, and if you are too I have a recipe for you. Easy Beef and Broccoli that you can make at home in about 30 minutes! And even better – this is just as good, if not BETTER than the Beef and Broccoli you pick up at your local take out place. Here is how to make the Best Beef and Broccoli at home.
How do you make Chinese Beef and Broccoli?
Making Beef and Broccoli is actually quite simple. One trick will make this taste just like the beef and broccoli you get at your favorite Chinese place. Whisk together a quick marinade of oyster sauce, cornstarch, water and baking soda. Yes, baking soda! It seems odd, but this will result in more tender meat.
While the beef sits in the marinade, whisk together the ingredients for the sauce. We are using soy sauce, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, sesame oil, oyster sauce, cornstarch and beef stock. With stir fries it is best to have your sauce ready to go since everything cooks so fast.
The cooking process is quick. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. You want it hot enough to brown the meat without over cooking it. Add the beef – it is best to cook the meat in batches so you don’t over crowd the pan. When the meat is done, return all of it to the pan. Add the broccoli and sauce, then cover. Allow the broccoli to cook for a few minutes. And that is it! I like to serve this over rice – it would be great with my Coconut Rice!
What meat is used for Beef and Broccoli?
For this Beef and Broccoli Recipe we are using Flank Steak. Flank Steak is very flavorful and best cooked quickly. It is also relatively inexpensive and easy to find.
What is the Sauce for Beef and Broccoli?
The sauce for this Beef and Broccoli uses ingredients that you may already have in your pantry. Soy sauce, brown sugar, beef broth, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and cornstarch. It is quick and easy to whisk together while the beef is marinating.
Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds flank steak thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 tablespoon Water
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
For The Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Slice the flank steak thinly against the grain. in a large bowl, whisk together the 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon corn starch, 1 tablespoon water and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Add the sliced meat and toss to fully coat, set aside.
- Whisk together the ingredients for the sauce, set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon canola oil (or oil of choice). When oil is hot, add the flank steak. You may need to work in batches to avoid crowding the pan. Cook until beef is browned on the bottom, about two minutes. Stir and continue cooking until beef is browned, 2-3 more minutes.
- Add broccoli and sauce to pan, stir to coat everything, and cover. Allow to cook until broccoli is bright green crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.
- Remove from heat, stir again to coat in sauce and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from Cook’s Country
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Tara says
Not sure what happened but the sauce was awful. We ended up ordering Chinese. So much wasted food.
Meghan says
Hi Tara – I’m not sure what could have gone wrong, as you can see from the reviews, most people love this recipe. The only issue I can think of would be if you used regular soy sauce instead of low sodium soy sauce. That will make a difference and make the sauce too salty.
Kristy says
The oyster sauce has 870mg of sodium and it ruined it, way too salty!!! I would never use the oyster sauce again😩
Meghan says
Hi Kristy – sorry you didn’t like the oyster sauce! It’s really important to use low sodium soy sauce in the sauce recipe to keep the dish from becoming overly salty. The oyster sauce does add a really nice umami flavor though.
Krystal says
Is there a huge difference in Fish Sauce and Oyster? Could I substitute it for the Fish?
Meghan says
Hi Krystal – Oyster sauce is thicker and sweeter, fish sauce is very pungent but does tend to give a nice umami flavor. I haven’t tested it with fish sauce instead of oyster sauce so I can’t be sure about the substitution.
Lydia says
Omg. You CANNOT ask for more than tender, delicious beef AND lightning fast to get on the table, AND so easy that any beginner can prepare and people would lift an eyebrow secretly thinking they may have picked it up in a restaurant. 🙂The flavor is authentically Asian and just lip smacking crazy good. If you haven’t tried this, get your ingredients now bc you will NOT be disappointed, I promise. My husband gobbled this up, it was so good. I was so pleased. On the rotation list it goes.
Thank you for this gem! I am getting on your site right now to see what ELSE you have for me!!!
Meghan says
Yay, thank you so much Lydia. I am so glad you loved it.
Kathy says
Do you need to rinse the beef after marinating? Most recipes that use baking soda to tenderize say to rinse after
Meghan says
Hi Kathy, no you don’t need to rinse it.
Jane O says
Made this today it is so fast and easy to make. I will make this again. Thanks for sharing.
Meghan says
So happy to hear that!
Paul S says
I’ll order this dish at Chinese restaurants. Made as is with no recipe changes, and it was delicious. Better than many Chinese restaurants I get this from. I think it is the low sodium soy sauce that makes the difference. This dish at restaurants can be too salty.
Becky says
This recipe is so easy and delicious! Me kids devour this meal. We have tried it with cube steak, too and it’s great! Thank you!
Robin says
Positively YUMMY! Everything about this is spot on. I made sure to really brown/crisp the meat up good. Makes all the difference, & sauce is super delish. Don’t overcook the broccoli. Will make this again & again!
Vonda says
Whipped this up tonight and it was fabulous! I used 2 lbs of sirloin, doubled the sauce, and stir fried onions and bell pepper along with the broccoli, after searing the meat and setting it aside. Added everything together along with the sauce and heated til thickened. Also added some crushed red pepper at the end to add some spice. It’s a keeper for sure! Thank you!
Meghan says
So happy you loved it!
Ari says
It was pretty good. I also added red and green bell peppers as well as sliced onion (cooked separately from beef), and then added altogether with broccoli and beef. Also added sesame seeds on top, right before serving.
My only issue was for the amount of meat, I don’t think there was enough fry seasoning to cook it. I added black pepper to my meat, as it cooked.
Ari says
I think pineapple chunks would make it even yummier! 😋
Meghan says
I’m so glad you liked it!
Amber says
Great recipe! My husband and I love it. I was wondering if I make it ahead of time and freeze it, would you suggest also mixing up the sauce ingredients and freezing them in a separate container, or should I make the sauce at the time I am ready to cook the beef? Thanks!
Meghan says
Hi Amber – so glad you love the recipe! I haven’t testing freezing it, so I’m not totally sure about the outcome. The only worry I have is that the broccoli might get mushy if you freeze it. I think the meat and sauce would be fine!
TaylorBrie says
This was excellent! Very easy and flavor. Thanks for sharing
Meghan says
So happy you loved it!
Tamie says
This recipe made a lot of sauce which we like. Very tasty! Added some hot chili sesame oil for some heat.
Meghan says
So glad to hear that!
Brittany says
I couldn’t find oyster sauce. So for the substitute is it the brown sugar and soy sauce plus the additional brown sugar and soy that the recipe calls for?
Meghan says
Hi, yes that is right.
Jan Boggs says
This was delicious! I also made the coconut jasmine rice! Exceptional!
Meghan says
Yay, so glad you loved it!
Nadine724 says
I love this recipe! I added sliced fresh mushrooms & sliced waterchestnuts for crunch.
Meghan says
So glad you loved it!
Jennifer says
Delicious and easy!
Meghan says
So glad you loved it!
Ethni says
This dish was delicious! I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a hit with my husband. He likes a lot of sauce so I will double the ingredients for the sauce. I’ll make this again very soon.
Meghan says
So glad you loved it!
Marissa says
I tried this after a friend recommended it, it is one of her favorite dishes to make. It is super yummy! The sauce has great flavor. After trying a few times now I am learning how thin the beef really needs to be cut! And I’ve overcooked the beef a few times so I’m learning to gauge the pinkness better too! Highly recommend. I also love how quick it comes together!
Meghan says
So glad you love it!
Christie says
Tried your recipe tonight and it was great. My steak stuck to the pan a little too but that I believe is the fault of the cook and my older pan. Also I didn’t have the beef stock so just added a little of water and was still very flavourful. Thanks for sharing
Meghan says
So glad you loved it Christie!
Joanne says
Followed the recipe. Easy! Delicious! When I try a new recipe, the sons give it a rating of don’t make this again OR it was alright Or this is a keeper. Your recipe has been awarded KEEPER!!! Thank you
Meghan says
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that!
Wfox says
We tried the beef and broccoli tonight for the first time. We had a chick roast so trimmed the day and sliced it thin. Followed the instructions and got the oil hot so that the meat browned quickly. Then cooked the broccoli mixed it all together and the flavors were great. As good or better then take out. To be honest better will definitely be making this again. Thanks
Meghan says
I’m so happy to hear that!
Brooks says
Hey there! Do you know how many calories is in one serving of this without rice?
Meghan says
Hi Brooks – I’m not sure why it wasn’t showing up before, but the nutrition info is there now at the bottom of the recipe. It does not include rice. Hope that helps!
Jennifer Pepler says
Hi Meghan, I just found your sight and tried the beef and broccoli recipe last night. It turned out good, but I hoped you could answer me some questions. I cooked up the meat in batches as suggested, however, it made such a burnt on mess of gunk on the bottom of my pan, it wasn’t really cooking the meat, just further burning the mixture the beef was tossed in. I had to clean out the wok a couple times prior to making the actual beef and broccoli. Is this normal? I only had the heat on medium. The mixture the beef is tossed in, what is the purpose of that step, because I found the mixture didn’t stick to the meat while cooking. I am really glad mine didn’t turn out too salty, funny enough, mine could have used a bit of salt. I used low sodium beef broth & China Lily soy sauce (I believe it’s only found in Canada) and it tends to be lower in sodium than other low sodium soy sauces. This recipe was good and best of all, quick and easy to make with ingredients I had on hand. I added some carrots and more broccoli but other than adding more veg I followed the recipe. Thanks for sharing Meghan!
Meghan says
Hi Jennifer – Hmmm, I didn’t have that problem, so I wonder if the heat was actually a bit too low? You definitely want the heat high enough to quickly brown the beef. The purpose of the mixture that the beef is coated in is that it tenderizes the beef and adds extra flavor. I’m really glad you enjoyed the recipe other than that! Let me know if you give it a try, and if having a slightly hotter pan helps – I would try medium high heat.
SAMANTHA Ann MARQUARDT says
Can I make this with frozen broccoli?
Meghan says
Hi Samantha – I haven’t tried it but I think that would be fine.
Chelsie says
Amazing flavor and easy to follow
Meghan says
I’m so happy to hear that Chelsie!
Br says
Looks great! I’ll make it this week! I’ve been on an Asian cooking kick pepper steak last night bourbon chicken tonight tomorrow with left over rice I’ll make shrimp fried rice recipe from Pinterest. This beef and broccoli looks great I’ll make it on Tuesday night 😍
Meghan says
Yay! Let me know how it turns out!
Diane Presley says
This was so good even my picky teen said it’s the best beef and broccoli she ever tasted! Thanks for sharing his recipe!
Jennifer says
Great easy and fast family recipe.
Meghan says
Hi Jennifer! I’m so happy you loved it!
rhonda says
OMG!I followed this recipe and it turned out amazing. The meat was tender and the flavor tastes better than the restaurant…just like you said. I used coconut oil instead of canola oil since I didn’t make coconut rice. I have already forwarded this recipe to 5 other friends. I can’t wait to make this again!!
Meghan says
Hi Rhonda – Yay, I am so happy to hear that!
Audrey S Hopkins says
Everything worked out well. I didnt have low sodium soy sauce, so it cameout slightly salty, but still delicious. Served it over rice udon noodles. Yum!
Meghan says
So happy you loved it!
Alysha says
Another great substitute for oyster sauce would be Worcestershire sauce
Meghan says
Great idea!
Richenda says
Can I use sirloin steak?
Meghan says
Hi Richenda – sure! Sirloin can be tough so try to get top sirloin if possible.
Valerie pitt says
How many servings does this make ?
Meghan says
Hi Valerie – it makes 4 servings.
Kerri says
This was really, really good. Next time I make it, I will increase the broccoli (it wasn’t enough for us), and decrease the brown sugar by about half (it was a bit sweet for me). Otherwise, this is a truly excellent recipe.
Meghan says
Hi Kerri – so happy you liked it!
Amber says
Loved it and turned out perfect
Meghan says
Yay! So happy to hear that Amber!
Julie says
I can’t wait to try this! It’s one of my favorite for takeout and looks even better!
Kim Douglas says
I just made this dish, it is delicious.
Meghan says
So glad you loved it!
MARYALICE O'BRIAN says
Hi! This looks wonderful but I have a question: is the oyster sauce listed in the ingredients the same tablespoon you mix with the meat & baking soda?
I just recently found this site and everything I’ve tried so far was delicious!!
Meghan says
Hi Mary Alice – Oh yay, I’m so glad you have enjoyed the recipes you tried! So for this recipe the oyster sauce is indeed used twice. Once in the meat marinade and again in the sauce. So it is used two different times – two tablespoons total. I hope you enjoy the recipe!