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Last Updated on August 9, 2021 by Aimee Stock
This Easy Beef and Broccoli Recipe is better than takeout! Using ingredients you can find in the Asian section of your grocery store and one skillet, you will love how quick and simple it is to prepare.
How to make Easy Beef and Broccoli Recipe
What kind of meat is used to make this recipe?
The first thing you’ll want to do is thinly slice the steak. I am using top round, but flank or flat iron works well also. I like to partially freeze the steak for about 20 minutes because it makes it so much easier to slice thin. A really sharp knife also helps.
How do you tenderize beef?
The marinade sits for 30 minutes and it’s this step that tenderizes the beef. It makes all the difference and gives you that restaurant-quality, velvety beef you are so used to with take out.
How to make the marinade
There are two mixtures in this recipe. The marinade and the sauce. The marinade that tenderizes the beef consists of:
- Cornstarch
- Hoisin
- Oyster Sauce (or the vegetarian alternative)
- Ginger
- Garlic Powder
Set aside and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes while you cook the broccoli and make the sauce.
I pan fry and also steam the broccoli. It will finish cooking in the sauce. Set aside.
How to make the sauce
Whisk together the ingredients for the sauce. Stock your pantry with these essentials and you’ll be making LOTS of my Asian-inspired recipes. The sauce is comprised of:
- Chicken (Or Vegetable) Broth
- Brown Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Oyster Sauce (or vegetarian equivalent)
- Sesame Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Set aside.
Place the now marinated beef in a very hot pan over medium high heat in a single layer. I use just a teaspoon of oil and with a good non-stick pan, that’s all you need. This is the one I use and LOVE!
The beef cooks in literally 1-2 minutes per side. Flip once brown and proceed to the next step.
Add the sauce before the beef is fully done cooking and reduce it down. You want a thick glazed and velvety sauce.
Next, add the cooked broccoli.
Give everything a good stir. The sauce will continue to thicken. If you love LOTS of extra sauce, feel free to double it.
Finish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Now take a bite, you deserve it! 🙂
Serve over cooked white rice or noodles.
Did you make my Easy Beef and Broccoli Recipe? Leave me a comment below and let me know what you thought!
If you’re enjoying my Asian-inspired recipes, why not try these?
- Easy Teriyaki Salmon Recipe
- Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
- Moo Shu Chicken with Hoisin
- The Original Orange Chicken by Panda Express
- One Pan Sweet and Sour Meatballs
As promised, here are the products used to make this recipe:
Easy Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Equipment
- Non Stick Skillet (see link in blog post)
Ingredients
FOR THE BEEF MARINADE:
- 1/2 lb Steak (flank, top round, etc.) sliced thin, across the grain
- 1 1/2 tsp Low Sodium Soy Sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp Hoisin Sauce
- 1 tsp Cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder or 1/4 tsp minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp Ginger or 1/8 tsp freshly grated ginger
- Sriracha/Chili Sauce/Red Pepper Flakes OPTIONAL
FOR THE SAUCE:
- 2 tbsp Vegetable or Chicken Broth
- 1/3 c Oyster Sauce OR VEGETARIAN ALTERNATIVE if allergic to shellfish
- 3 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
- 2 tsp Cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1 tbsp Rice Wine OPTIONAL, don't worry if you don't have it
FOR FINISHING and SERVING:
- 14 oz Bag of Frozen Broccoli defrosted at room temperature OR fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tsp Oil divided
- 2 tbsp Water
- Green Onions (Scallions) for garnish
- White Sesame Seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Slice beef and add marinade. Allow to sit for about 30 minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
- Add 1 tsp of oil to a non stick skillet and brown the broccoli over medium high heat. Add two tablespoons of water and cover, cooking until almost fork tender. Remove to a bowl and set aside.
- Meanwhile, whisk together the sauce ingredients.
- In the same pan, add 1 tsp of oil and your marinated beef. Try to arrange in a single layer so they brown and not steam. Cook for 1-2 minutes on the first side and then flip.
- Immediately add the sauce and stir until thickened.
- Add back the broccoli, cooking until desired tenderness and the sauce is thickened.
- Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds, serving over white rice or noodles.