Quick & Delicious Chinese Beef and Broccoli: An Authentic Weeknight Stir-Fry Recipe

Chinese Beef and Broccoli

Introduction

Chinese Beef and Broccoli is a classic dish beloved for its vibrant flavors and balanced nutrition. Tender strips of savory beef are quickly stir-fried with crisp broccoli florets, all tossed in a rich, garlicky sauce. It’s a go-to recipe for busy weeknights thanks to its quick preparation and restaurant-quality taste—craving takeout is a thing of the past when you can make this crowd-pleaser right at home!

Deliciously Unique Chinese Beef and Broccoli

What sets this dish apart is its harmonious combination of textures: juicy, seared beef meets perfectly crunchy broccoli, all coated in a glossy, umami-laden sauce. The ginger, garlic, and soy interplay creates a depth of flavor that makes each bite enticing. Ideal for dinners, gatherings, or meal prep, this recipe delivers an authentic takeout experience without complication or fuss.

Preparing the Perfect Stir Fry Sauce

The key to an unforgettable Beef and Broccoli is a well-balanced sauce. Using a blend of soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of brown sugar, the sauce is both savory and slightly sweet. Cornstarch is added to thicken it, ensuring a silky glaze that clings to each ingredient. For optimal depth, mix all sauce ingredients beforehand and allow the flavors to meld for 5 minutes before stir-frying.

Assembling Your Chinese Beef and Broccoli

Start by marinating the beef for extra tenderness and flavor. Stir-fry the beef quickly in a hot pan, remove it, and then cook the broccoli just until crisp-tender. Combine everything in the pan with the aromatic sauce, tossing until all is coated and heated through. Serve immediately over freshly steamed rice for a comforting and wholesome meal.

Serving Suggestions for a Show Stopping Beef and Broccoli

Pair your Beef and Broccoli with fluffy jasmine rice or silky lo mein noodles. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions for a professional finish. Add a side of pickled vegetables or a simple cucumber salad for contrast and color on the plate.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes approximately 4 servings. Each serving contains about 325–375 calories, depending on your choice of beef and serving size. Rich in protein and essential vitamins from the broccoli, it’s a delicious, balanced dish you can enjoy guilt-free.

Deliciously Unique Chinese Beef and Broccoli (Recap)

With its irresistible combination of bold flavors, juicy beef, and crisp veggies, this dish is the ultimate weeknight meal or crowd-pleasing favorite for any occasion.

Ingredients

3/4 lb (340g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced across the grain
3 cups broccoli florets
1 tbsp vegetable oil (plus more as needed)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 inch piece fresh ginger, grated
Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the Sauce:
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/3 cup water (or beef broth)
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
Optional: Pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of rice vinegar for extra zing

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients: soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, water, toasted sesame oil, and (if using) red pepper flakes or rice vinegar. Set aside.
  2. Season the sliced beef lightly with salt and pepper. If you have time, marinate the beef in 1 tablespoon of the sauce for 15 minutes for extra flavor.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the beef in batches for 1–2 minutes until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove to a plate and set aside.
  4. Add a splash more oil to the pan if needed. Add garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant. Toss in the broccoli and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until starting to brighten.
  5. Return the beef to the pan along with the prepared stir fry sauce. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli (about 2–3 minutes). Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
  6. Serve hot over rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds and scallions if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is ideal for weekly meal prep—it reheats beautifully and pairs well with a variety of sides. Save and schedule this recipe to your meal planner to organize ingredients and plan dinner nights with ease.

Planning Benefits:

  • Automatically totals ingredient quantities if you scale up or add more recipes
  • Sorts your shopping list by grocery store section for maximum efficiency
  • Avoids ingredient overlap and unnecessary purchases
  • Makes prepping for multiple meals organized and stress-free

Pro tip: When meal planning for the week, schedule your recipes to see overlapping items—if both this dish and another call for garlic or soy sauce, your smart list combines them for a streamlined shop.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Enjoy the bold, authentic flavors of Chinese Beef and Broccoli in less time than it takes to order takeout—all while making meal planning and shopping effortless!

Leave a Comment