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.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Gluten Free
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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Chinese beef and broccoli, beef stir-fry, quick Asian dinner, healthy Chinese recipe, weeknight meal, gluten-free Chinese recipe