Beef and Broccoli Recipe | foodiecrush.com (2024)

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This easy beef and broccoli recipe is a popular Chinese dish for a good reason. It’s so delicious and can easily be made gluten-free or in traditional style.

Asian food is one of my all-time favorite cuisines and we find ourselves cooking a stir-fry on a weekly basis. Much like sweet and sour pork and yaki udon, this beef and broccoli is a classic stir-fry favorite and one that my family loves. The recipe comes from my blogger friend Kristin (of Iowa Girl Eats) and is from her ebook Gluten-Free for Beginners: 30 Day Meal Plan and Guide for Gluten-Free Success. I’ve made this beef and broccoli countless times for my family because it’s easy, healthy, and so flavorful.It’s written as a gluten-free recipe but you can easily make the substitutions or not to fit your dietary needs. You quickly marinate flank steak (which takes just 20 minutes to work into the flank steak). And with a quick sear in my favorite wok, the beef still holds tons of flavor and yields tender beef. I love adding red bell pepper to this beef and broccoli for more color, plus, red bell pepper has 300 times the Vitamin C as a regular orange. This is just about one of the easiest Asian recipes to grace our dinner table.

What’s in this Beef and Broccoli Recipe

I love this recipe because other than the protein and maybe some of the produce, I almost always have these ingredients on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Flank steak (hanger steak would also work great and is a more affordable sub)
  • Gluten-free Tamari (you could also use soy sauce)
  • Gluten-free sweet rice flour, for thickening the sauce (all-purpose flour would also be fine if you don’t need this to be gluten-free, and cornstarch would also work)
  • Gluten-free chicken broth (regular is also fine)
  • Brown sugar
  • Rice vinegar
  • Sesame oil
  • Garlic
  • Ground ginger
  • Red chili pepper flakes
  • Broccoli
  • Red bell pepper
  • Grapeseed or vegetable oil
  • Rice (optional, for serving) — I like using long-grain white or brown rice
  • Sesame seeds
  • Green onion

How to Make This Beef and Broccoli Recipe

Marinate the flank steak. Slice the flank into bite-size pieces and add those, 2 tablespoons gluten-free Tamari, and 1 tablespoon Sweet Rice Flour to a large Ziplock bag then seal and squish to evenly coat. Place the bag into the refrigerator to marinate for 20 minutes.

Make the sauce mixture. Add the remaining ½ cup gluten-free Tamari, remaining 1-½ tablespoons Sweet Rice Flour, chicken broth, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ground ginger, and red chili pepper flakes to a bowl then whisk to combine and set aside.

Stir-fry the veggies. Heat a large wok or non-stick skillet over high heat then add water and the fresh broccoli florets. Stir fry until broccoli is crisp-tender, 2-3 minutes, then remove to a plate and set aside. Repeat the process with the red bell pepper.

Sear the beef. Heat 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil in the wok then add ½ the marinated beef in one layer. Let sit undisturbed until seared, 30 seconds, then stir fry until just barely cooked through (some pink still showing is ok.) Remove to plate with broccoli then cook remaining beef in remaining 1 Tablespoon oil, and then add to plate.

Stir fry everything together. Add sauce to the wok then simmer until slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes. Add cooked broccoli and beef back into the wok then stir to combine. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion. Serve over cooked rice.

Note: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days.


What to Serve with This Beef and Broccoli

  • I love seeing this with white or brown rice: How to Cook Rice Perfectly Every Time
  • Instead of rice, you could make these slurpable sesame soba noodles on the side instead
  • My sweet and sour Asian pickled cucumbers would be so yummy with beef and broccoli

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo andtag me on Instagramwith #foodiecrusheats.

Beef and Broccoli Recipe | foodiecrush.com (6)

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Beef and Broccoli

This easy beef and broccoli recipe is a popular Chinese dish for a good reason. It's so delicious and can easily be made gluten-free or in traditional style.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Keyword beef and broccoli stir fry

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1- ¼ pound flank or sirloin steak , cut very thin against the grain
  • 1/ 2 cup + 2 tablespoons reduced sodium gluten-free Tamari , divided
  • 2- ½ tablespoons Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Sweet Rice Flour , divided
  • 3/ 4 cup gluten-free chicken broth
  • 1/ 4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1/ 2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/ 2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes , or more or less
  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 red bell pepper , seeded and sliced
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons grapeseed or vegetable oil , divided
  • Cooked rice , for serving
  • Sesame seeds for garnish
  • Green onion , chopped for garnish

Instructions

  • Add steak, 2 tablespoons gluten-free Tamari, and 1 tablespoon Sweet Rice Flour to a large Ziplock bag then seal and squish to evenly coat. Place the bag into the refrigerator to marinate for 20 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, add remaining ½ cup gluten-free Tamari, remaining 1-½ tablespoons Sweet Rice Flour, chicken broth, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ground ginger, and red chili pepper flakes to a bowl then whisk to combine and set aside.

  • Heat a large wok or non-stick skillet over high heat then add water and broccoli. Stir fry until broccoli is crisp tender, 2-3 minutes, then remove to a plate and set aside. Repeat the process with the red bell pepper.

  • Heat 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil in the wok then add ½ the marinated beef in one layer. Let sit undisturbed until seared, 30 seconds, then stir fry until just barely cooked through (some pink still showing is ok.) Remove to plate with broccoli then cook remaining beef in remaining 1 Tablespoon oil, and then add to plate.

  • Add sauce to wok then simmer until slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes. Add cooked broccoli and beef back into wok then stir to combine. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion. Serve over cooked rice.

More Easy Stir-Fry Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Caramelized Salmon Stir Fry
  • Yaki Udon Stir Fry with Sausage
  • Healthier Sweet and Sour Pork
  • Teriyaki Tofu and Broccoli Stir Fry
  • Thai Garlic and Black Pepper Tofu with Mushrooms

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Beef and Broccoli Recipe | foodiecrush.com (2024)

FAQs

What is the sauce for broccoli beef made of? ›

Each restaurant has its secrets but I make a fair amount of Chinese food and recipes for broccoli beef sauce are basically oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar and perhaps a splash of rice wine. Since this is a deep flavored savory dish I think perhaps a bit of mushroom soy sauce is used.

What does beef and broccoli contain? ›

Beef and Broccoli Ingredients

Sauces and oils: This beef and broccoli recipe calls for oyster sauce, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Sherry: Cooking sherry adds a sweet, nutty flavor to the beef and broccoli. Sugar: White sugar lends a hint of sweetness. Cornstarch: A teaspoon of cornstarch thickens the sauce.

How do you thicken beef and broccoli? ›

To thicken beef and broccoli, you can mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a slurry. Add the slurry to the simmering sauce and stir until it thickens.

Who came up with beef and broccoli? ›

Origins. Beef and broccoli was likely developed in the diaspora of Chinese immigrants in 19th century America. It became an established feature of American Chinese restaurants during the 1920s. By the 1950s, it had become ubiquitous and it is one of the most popular American Chinese dishes in the 21st century.

What is Chinese beef and broccoli sauce made of? ›

Mix together the sauce ingredients and put to one side. The sauce is a combination of beef stock, light and dark soy sauce, Chinese rice wine (you can swap for sherry if you haven't got rice wine), sesame oil, sugar, white pepper and black pepper.

What is the brown sauce in Chinese food called? ›

There are many Chinese sauces that are brown just a few most common, soy sause, oyster sauce, sweet bean, Hoisin

What cut of beef is used in beef and broccoli? ›

Flank steak is the classic choice for beef and broccoli. It's marbled with fat, full of beefy flavor, and easy to cut into super-thin, tender slices. But flank isn't the only option. Skirt steak will give you a very similar result, and if you're watching your wallet, sirloin is another great choice.

How healthy is Chinese beef and broccoli? ›

Beef and broccoli is a simple dish of stir-fried beef and broccoli tossed in a light sauce. It's a relatively healthy dish that's low in carbs and high in protein. However, it's often made with fatty cuts of beef. One cup (217 grams) contains 336 calories, 23 grams of fat, and 23 grams of protein ( 5 ).

What is inside oyster sauce? ›

Traditionally, oysters are slowly simmered in water until the liquid caramelizes into a viscous, dark black-brown sauce. But to speed up the process, some commercialized versions are instead made with oyster extracts, plus salt, sugar, corn starch and caramel coloring.

What can I use instead of beef broth in beef and broccoli? ›

Depending on what you are using the beef broth for you can substitute a well made vegetable broth or chicken broth. Of course, it will change the flavor profile a bit but it is a much better solution to using cubes or powders which are sodium bombs.

What can I substitute for cornstarch in beef and broccoli? ›

All-Purpose Flour

Although it won't produce the same glossy shine as cornstarch, it'll get the job done in a pinch. All-purpose flour contains about half the thickening power of cornstarch, so for every tablespoon of cornstarch required, you'll need to substitute two tablespoons of all-purpose flour.

How do you soften beef for stir fry? ›

How to tenderise beef – easily!
  1. Sprinkle 3/4 tsp baking soda (bi-carbonate soda) on 250g / 8oz sliced economical beef cuts.
  2. Toss with fingers, leave for 30 minutes.
  3. Rinse, pat off excess water.
  4. Proceed with stir fry recipe. It can be marinated with wet or dry seasonings, or cooked plain.
Feb 23, 2019

Do Chinese eat beef and broccoli? ›

The American Chinese dish that is widely known as “Beef with Broccoli” isn't a thing in China. But Cantonese cuisine features Chinese broccoli and there is a dish called “Chinese Broccoli Stir-Fried Beef”.

Do they eat beef and broccoli in China? ›

Both Key Ingredients In Beef With Broccoli Aren't Overwhelmingly Popular In China. It's important to note that there are numerous differences between Chinese cuisine cooked in China and American Chinese food. You see this with a lot of Americanized immigrant cuisines -- real Italian food vs.

What does broccoli beef taste like? ›

What does beef and broccoli taste like? Beef and broccoli is a savory dish that has flavors of soy, garlic, and hints of sweetness.

What is beef dip sauce made of? ›

To make it, you're going to place your roasting pan with the beef drippings on the stove top before adding your onions, garlic, thyme, beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer, then cook until slightly thickened. Soon, you'll have the most delicious dipping sauce to complete your French dip.

What can I substitute for oyster sauce? ›

What Are Some Good Oyster Sauce Substitutes?
  • Fish Sauce. Fish sauce makes a great substitute because of the flavor backbone similarities. ...
  • Hoisin Sauce. ...
  • Soy Sauce. ...
  • Teriyaki Sauce. ...
  • Black Bean Paste. ...
  • Kecap Manis (Sweet Soy Sauce) ...
  • Mushroom Broth. ...
  • Worcestershire Sauce with Soy Sauce and Sugar.

What is Panda Express broccoli beef made of? ›

Ingredients: broccoli, water, beef, soybean oil, contains less than 2% of: garlic, phosphoric acid, corn starch, potato starch, modified food starch, soy sauce, salt, rice wine, caramel color, sesame oil, sea salt, brown sugar, sodium phosphate, natural flavor, yeast extract, phosphoric acid, spices.

What is beef sauce made of? ›

The Ingredients

Meat – This sauce uses a mixture of ground beef, ground pork, and ground veal; the combination is sometimes labeled “meatloaf mix”. I have also often done half ground beef and half ground Italian sausage, which is delicious. Onions and Garlic – Classic building blocks for a fantastic sauce!

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