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Chinese Beef and Broccoli

Chinese Beef and Broccoli

A quick and flavorful Chinese Beef and Broccoli recipe featuring tender thinly sliced beef and crisp broccoli florets in a savory, mildly sweet umami sauce. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners, this healthy, family-friendly dish is easy to prepare, packed with fresh ingredients, and adaptable to various dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Vegetables

  • 8 oz thinly sliced flank or sirloin steak
  • 3 cups fresh broccoli florets

Sauce Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1/2 cup beef broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

Other Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for finishing)
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil (for stir-frying)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Beef: Slice the beef thinly against the grain for optimal tenderness. Toss the beef slices with cornstarch and a splash of soy sauce to evenly coat them. This step helps create a silky texture when cooked.
  2. Blanch the Broccoli: Lightly boil or steam the broccoli florets just until they become tender-crisp. Immediately transfer them into ice water to maintain their bright green color and fresh crunch.
  3. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir well to blend all ingredients thoroughly and set aside.
  4. Cook the Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a hot wok or skillet over high heat. Quickly stir-fry the beef for 2 to 3 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove the beef from the pan and keep aside.
  5. Combine and Finish: Using the same pan, pour in the prepared sauce and bring it to a simmer. Add back the cooked beef and blanched broccoli. Toss and cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats every piece evenly. Drizzle sesame oil over before serving.

Notes

  • Slice beef thin and against the grain for maximum tenderness.
  • Do not overcook broccoli; keep it crisp by blanching lightly and stir-frying briefly.
  • Use a very hot pan to get a perfect sear on the beef for authentic flavor.
  • Prepare the sauce ahead of time to speed up cooking.
  • Let cooked beef rest briefly to redistribute juices for better texture.
  • Customize by adding chili flakes for spice or swapping broccoli with other vegetables like snap peas or bok choy.
  • For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari and use gluten-free oyster sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chinese beef and broccoli, beef stir-fry, quick Asian dinner, healthy Chinese recipe, weeknight meal, gluten-free Chinese recipe