Chinese Beef and Broccoli is a beloved dish that seamlessly blends tender beef and bright, crunchy broccoli in a savory sauce. It’s that perfect recipe you whip up on a busy weeknight when comfort food is needed but time is limited. This dish captures the essence of Chinese cuisine right from your kitchen, and with its irresistible flavor, it quickly becomes a household favorite.
Why you’ll love this dish
There are plenty of reasons to bring this dish to your dinner table. First and foremost, it’s incredibly quick to prepare—ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for those hectic weekdays. Not only is it budget-friendly, but the ingredients are also straightforward and likely available in your pantry.
The combination of juicy beef, vibrant broccoli, and a fragrant sauce gives this recipe a restaurant-quality flair. Plus, it’s a family-friendly meal that kids and adults alike will devour. Whether you’re looking for a satisfying main dish for a cozy family dinner or a nutritious option for impressing guests, this recipe checks all the boxes.
“This Chinese Beef and Broccoli is honestly one of the best I’ve made at home! The flavors are spot-on, and it took no time at all. My whole family loved it!”
Preparing Chinese Beef and Broccoli
Cooking this dish is quite simple and can be broken down into a few manageable steps. You’ll start by marinating the beef to pack it with flavor, then steaming the broccoli, and finally cooking everything together with the heavenly sauce to create a delectable stir-fry.
What you’ll need
To create this delicious dish, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 lb flank steak (or skirt steak, or another cut)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (optional)
- 1/2 cup chicken stock (or beef stock)
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar (or white sugar)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 head broccoli (cut into bite-sized florets)
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 teaspoons ginger (minced)
Feel free to swap out ingredients if needed; for instance, use chicken or tofu for a different protein.
Step-by-step instructions
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Prep the Beef: Slice the beef against the grain into 0.5 cm (1/4 inch) thick slices or 1 cm (1/2 inch) sticks. Put them in a small bowl and add the soy sauce, peanut oil, and cornstarch. Mix gently until coated. Let it marinate for 10 minutes.
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Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce. Stir well and set aside.
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Steam the Broccoli: In a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, add 1/4 cup of water. Once it boils, add the broccoli and cover. Steam for about 1 minute until tender. Take the broccoli out and set it aside. Wipe any remaining water from the pan.
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Cook the Beef: Add the oil to the skillet and heat. Spread the marinated beef in a single layer and let it cook without touching for about 30 seconds until browned. Flip and cook the other side briefly, stirring until lightly charred and still pink in the center.
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Add Aromatics: Toss in the minced garlic and ginger. Stir a few times to release their fragrant aromas.
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Combine Everything: Return the broccoli to the skillet, re-stir the sauce to dissolve the cornstarch, and pour it in. Stir until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute.
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Serve: Transfer everything to a plate and enjoy hot!
How to plate and pair
This dish looks gorgeous served in a shallow bowl or on a plate with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra flair. Pair it with a side of fluffy jasmine rice or thin rice noodles to soak up that delicious sauce. For a complete meal, you might also want to serve it alongside a simple side salad or some egg rolls.
Storage and reheating tips
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave in short intervals. For longer-term storage, this dish can also be frozen; just make sure to separate it into portions when freezing to make reheating easier.
Helpful cooking tips
- Resting the Beef: Allowing the beef to marinate enhances its flavor and tenderness. If you have time, marinate it for even longer, up to 30 minutes or so.
- Pan Should Be Hot: Make sure your skillet is really hot before adding the beef. This helps create that beautiful sear and nice char.
- Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: For best color and crunch, steam the broccoli just until it’s vibrant and tender-crisp. You can always cook it more when you add it back to the skillet.
Recipe variations
Feel free to get creative with this dish! You can add other vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots for a colorful twist. For a kick of heat, throw in some sliced chili peppers or a splash of sriracha. If you want a lighter version, you could use leaner proteins like chicken breast or even tofu for a vegetarian approach.
Your questions answered
1. What’s the prep time for this recipe?
Prep time usually takes around 10-15 minutes, with another 10-15 minutes for cooking.
2. Can I use other cuts of meat?
Absolutely! Skirt steak, sirloin, or even chicken breast can be great alternatives.
3. Is it safe to freeze leftovers?
Yes, you can safely freeze the dish. Just ensure you cool it completely before placing it in airtight containers to prevent freezer burn.
With this guide, you can easily whip up a delightful Chinese Beef and Broccoli that is sure to impress! Enjoy.
Chinese Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
Beef Marinade
- 1 lb flank steak (or skirt steak, or another cut) Any tender cut of beef can be used.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce For marinating the beef.
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch For marinating.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda Optional, for tenderness.
Sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken stock (or beef stock)
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar (or white sugar)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch For thickening.
Vegetables
- 1 head broccoli (cut into bite-sized florets)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 teaspoons ginger (minced)
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil) For cooking.
Instructions
Preparation
- Slice the beef against the grain into 0.5 cm (1/4 inch) thick slices or 1 cm (1/2 inch) sticks. Put them in a small bowl and add the soy sauce, peanut oil, and cornstarch. Mix gently until coated. Let it marinate for 10 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce. Stir well and set aside.
- In a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, add 1/4 cup of water. Once it boils, add the broccoli and cover. Steam for about 1 minute until tender. Take the broccoli out and set it aside. Wipe any remaining water from the pan.
Cooking
- Add the oil to the skillet and heat. Spread the marinated beef in a single layer and let it cook without touching for about 30 seconds until browned. Flip and cook the other side briefly, stirring until lightly charred and still pink in the center.
- Toss in the minced garlic and ginger. Stir a few times to release their fragrant aromas.
- Return the broccoli to the skillet, re-stir the sauce to dissolve the cornstarch, and pour it in. Stir until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute.
- Transfer everything to a plate and enjoy hot!
