Easy Beef and Broccoli Recipe

This easy beef and broccoli recipe is loaded with tender slices of beef, fresh broccoli and onions tossed in a rich and savory homemade sauce. It’s full of flavor and comes together right in the wok for an easy meal that’s perfect served over hot rice.

In this recipe I’ll also show you how to prepare the beef so it stays tender and flavorful while cooking. If you love a good beef and broccoli takeout dinner, you’re gonna want to try this homemade version.

This recipe gives you tender beef, broccoli, onions, and plenty of savory sauce in every single bite! The beef is prepared before cooking to help keep it tender, while briefly blanching the broccoli helps it cook quickly without becoming mushy. Serve everything over white rice and you’ve got a satisfying homemade dinner.

• Tender Beef – Preparing the beef before cooking keeps it tender.
• Big Flavor – Garlic, ginger, onions, and a savory homemade sauce brings everything together.
• Perfect with rice – That extra sauce is deliciously spooned over a bowl of hot rice.

Watch how I make this step-by-step in the video above

Flank steak: Flank steak works great for beef and broccoli because it cooks quickly and stays tender when sliced thinly against the grain. Cutting against the grain is important because it shortens the muscle fibers and makes the beef easier to chew.

Broccoli: Fresh broccoli works best for this recipe. I briefly blanch the florets before stir-frying so they cook through while still keeping some bite.

Soy sauce: Soy sauce adds saltiness and savory flavor to the sauce and pairs perfectly with the beef.

Roasted sesame oil: A small amount of roasted sesame oil adds a rich, nutty flavor. A little goes a long way, so there’s no need to add more than the recipe calls for.

Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds just enough sweetness to balance the savory ingredients in the sauce.

Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used both when preparing the beef and in the sauce. In the sauce, it helps create that glossy, thick consistency that coats the beef and broccoli.

White pepper: White pepper adds a subtle peppery flavor without overpowering the sauce. 

One of the keys to good beef and broccoli is making sure the beef stays tender instead of becoming tough or chewy.

Start by slicing the flank steak thinly against the grain. The beef is then prepared with salt, white pepper, baking soda, water, cornstarch, and oil before cooking.

The baking soda helps tenderize the beef, while the cornstarch and oil help protect the surface during the high-heat cooking process. Combined with thin slicing and a quick cook in a hot wok, this helps give the beef a tender texture.

Be careful not to leave the beef cooking in the wok longer than necessary. Once it’s browned and cooked through, move on with the recipe rather than continuing to cook it. 

How to Make Beef and Broccoli (Step-by-Step)

Making homemade beef and broccoli is easier than you might think! The key is preparing your ingredients ahead of time because everything cooks quickly once you start stir-frying. Follow these simple steps for tender beef, crisp broccoli, and a delicious homemade sauce.

Step 1: Blanch the Broccoli

Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the broccoli and blanch for about 2 minutes. Drain immediately and set aside. This helps the broccoli cook evenly while keeping it tender-crisp.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

In a mixing bowl, combine the beef broth, soy sauce, roasted sesame oil, brown sugar, and white pepper. Add the cornstarch and whisk until completely dissolved. Set the sauce aside until ready to use.

Step 3: Slice the Beef

Look for the direction of the muscle fibers running through the flank steak. Using a sharp knife, slice the beef thinly against the grain. Cutting against the grain helps shorten the muscle fibers, resulting in more tender pieces of beef.

Step 4: Tenderize and Marinate the Beef

Place the sliced beef into a mixing bowl. Add the salt, white pepper, and baking soda, then mix thoroughly. Pour in the water and massage it into the beef until absorbed. Next, add the cornstarch and mix again. Finally, drizzle in the oil and toss until the beef is evenly coated.

Allow the beef to rest for approximately 20 minutes before cooking. This process, known as velveting, helps keep the beef tender during stir-frying.

Step 5: Sear the Beef

Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough neutral oil to lightly coat the cooking surface.

Once the wok is hot, add the beef in a single layer. Allow it to sear undisturbed for approximately 45 seconds before stir-frying until browned and cooked through. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the wok.

Remove the beef and set aside.

Step 6: Sauté the Aromatics

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the sliced onions to the same wok and cook for 1–2 minutes until they begin to soften.

Next, add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir-fry for approximately 30–45 seconds, just until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 7: Add the Homemade Sauce

Give the prepared sauce another good stir to redistribute the cornstarch, which may have settled at the bottom of the bowl.

Pour the sauce into the wok and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring as it begins to thicken. Reduce the heat to low once the sauce reaches a glossy consistency.

Step 8: Combine Everything and Serve

Return the cooked beef to the wok, followed by the blanched broccoli. Gently toss everything together until the beef and broccoli are evenly coated in the savory sauce and heated through.

Garnish with crushed red pepper flakes if desired, and serve immediately over a bowl of hot white rice.

• Prep everything before cooking. Stir-frying moves quickly, so have your broccoli, onions, garlic, ginger, beef, and sauce ready to go before heating the wok.
• Make the sauce ahead of time. Mix your sauce ingredients before you begin cooking so it’s ready when you need it.
• Slice the beef against the grain. This shortens the muscle fibers and helps give you more tender pieces of beef.
• Give the beef time to sear. Once the beef hits the wok, let it cook for about 45 seconds before tossing it around. This helps it develop a slight sear.
• Don’t overcook the broccoli. Blanching it briefly before adding it to the stir-fry helps keep it tender-crisp instead of soft and mushy.

Beef and broccoli is delicious served over a bowl of hot white rice, which is perfect for soaking up all of that savory sauce.

You can also serve it with brown rice or noodles, or keep things simple and enjoy the beef and broccoli on its own.

For an easy dinner, I usually keep the sides simple since the beef, broccoli, and sauce already make this a filling meal. 

Store leftover beef and broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave until heated through, or warm the beef and broccoli gently in a skillet over medium-low heat.

If the sauce becomes too thick after refrigeration, add a small splash of water or beef broth while reheating to loosen it.

Can I Use a Different Cut of Beef?

Yes. Flank steak works especially well because it can be sliced thinly and cooks quickly, but other tender cuts of beef suitable for quick cooking can also work. Whatever cut you choose, slice it thinly against the grain.

Why Do You Blanch the Broccoli First?

Blanching gives the broccoli a head start before it goes into the wok. It helps the broccoli cook through without requiring a long stir-fry time that could overcook the beef.

Why Is Baking Soda Added to the Beef?

A small amount of baking soda helps tenderize the beef before cooking. This is especially useful for a quick, high-heat dish like beef and broccoli.

How Do I Keep the Sauce From Getting Too Thick?

The cornstarch thickens the sauce quickly once it’s heated. If your sauce becomes thicker than you’d like, stir in a small amount of beef broth or water until it reaches your preferred consistency. 

More Recipes to Try

If you enjoyed this recipe, here are a few more easy recipes you might love:

If you try this beef and broccoli recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.