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Why This Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry Belongs in Your Recipe Repertoire
Nothing beats the satisfaction of whipping up a quick, flavourful, and better-than-takeout meal in your own kitchen. This Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry is a staple in Chinese cuisine (1920’s Chinese-American) loved for its tender beef, crisp vegetables, and rich umami-packed sauce, that only requires a few pantry staples, and minimal chopping!
While takeout is convenient, homemade stir fry tastes fresher, is healthier, and lets you control the quality of ingredients—all in under 30 minutes! The key to this dish is the velveting technique, which involves marinating the beef in a cornstarch-based mixture. This method ensures that the beef stays juicy, tender, and silky-smooth—just like at your favourite Chinese restaurant.
Another reason to make this dish at home? Customizability. Want a little heat? Add red pepper flakes. Prefer more veggies? We love it with mushrooms and tender, new green cabbage. This recipe also doesn’t skimp on the beef!
So, let’s dive into this quick and easy Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry recipe—a guaranteed hit for weeknight dinners!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10-15 min
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Meats & Mains
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- 2 tsp. Soy sauce
- 2 tsp. Shaoxing Cooking wine
- 2 tsp. Sesame oil
- 2 tsp. Oyster sauce
- 2 tsp. Cornstarch
- A good pinch of white pepper
- 1.5 lbs Flank steak, cut into 1/4” thick slices (against the grain)
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup Soy sauce
- 2 tbsp. Shaoxing Cooking wine
- 2 tsp. Sesame oil
- 1 tbsp. Oyster sauce
- A good pinch of white pepper
- 3 tbsp. Water or stock
For the Stir Fry:
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- 1 head Broccoli, cut into florets (peel & slice the stalk into 1/2-inch thick coins)
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- 1 Onion, thinly sliced
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- 1 Large clove Garlic, thinly sliced
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- 2 Green onions, finely sliced (for garnish)
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- Neutral oil, for cooking
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- Salt, as needed
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Beef
Whisk all marinade ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. Add the flank steak slices, ensuring they are evenly coated. Let sit for 30–60 minutes at room temperature.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients. Set aside for later use.
Step 3: Prep the Vegetables
Trim broccoli into mid-sized florets and peel/slice the stalk into thin rounds. Thinly slice the onion and garlic.
Step 4: Stir Fry the Vegetables
- Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat.
- Add a thin layer of neutral oil, followed by the broccoli. Stir-fry for 1–2 minutes until lightly charred.
- Add the onion and garlic, stir-frying for another minute or two.
- Transfer the vegetables to a bowl and set aside.
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Step 5: Cook the Beef
- Add another thin layer of oil to the hot wok.
- Add the marinated beef, making sure to scrape in all the marinade.
- Spread the beef out in the wok and let it sear for 1 minute before stir-frying until just cooked through.
Step 6: Combine & Serve
- Pour in the sauce and bring it to a boil.
- Add the broccoli mixture back into the wok and toss everything together until heated through.
- Serve immediately, garnished with freshly sliced green onions.
Notes
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
Make Ahead:
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- Marinate the beef up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the fridge. This allows the flavours to develop even further.
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- Prep the vegetables ahead of time by slicing the broccoli, onion, and garlic. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
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- Pre-mix the sauce and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days—just give it a quick stir before using.
Storage:
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- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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- Freeze: While beef stir fry is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze it for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely before storing in a freezer-safe container.
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- Reheating: Warm leftovers in a hot pan or wok over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes. If reheating from frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight first.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for weeknights.
✅ Better Than Takeout: No added MSG, artificial preservatives, or excess oil.
✅ Tender, Juicy Beef: Marinating ensures melt-in-your-mouth texture.
✅ Perfectly Balanced Sauce: A savoury, umami-rich blend of soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing Cooking Wine, and sesame oil.
✅ Customizable: Swap beef for chicken, shrimp, or tofu and add extra veggies!
Pro Tips for the Best Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry
🔹 Velveting is Key – The marinade’s cornstarch coating locks in moisture, ensuring ultra-tender beef and lightly thickens the sauce
🔹 High Heat = Authentic Flavour – A hot wok creates that signature smoky wok hei (wok air) flavour.
🔹 Don’t Overcook the Broccoli – Stir-fry just until bright green and crisp-tender to maintain texture. A few dark charred spots are ok too!
🔹 Cut Beef Against the Grain – Slicing the steak properly ensures tender, easy-to-chew bites.
What to Serve with Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry
🍚 Steamed Jasmine Rice – The perfect base to soak up all that delicious sauce. Read our Guide To Perfectly Cooked Rice HERE!
🥢 Noodles – Spicy & Quick, get the full class & recipes with our Sesame Noodles & Chili Crisp Class!
More Delicious Recipes to Try
Our Chicken Satay has been one of our go-to recipes for years! Click HERE for the full recipe.
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