How do I keep the beef tender?

We're solving this problem in a few ways. The first is to choose a cut of beef that cooks quickly and doesn't require a long cooking time. Cuts like flank steak, sirloin, or ribeye will all work well. The second is to cut the steak into thin strips AGAINST the grain. This will naturally cut down on the fibers that give meat a tougher chew.

What's the best way to cook the broccoli so it stays crisp?

To cook the broccoli to tender-crisp and not mushy, we are cooking it separately from the beef and we are quickly steaming it to help it soften up, but not get too mushy. Then we'll finish cooking it with the steak and sauce to bring everything together.

Can I add extra vegetables?

Sure! You know I am always going to say yes to adding IN more veggies to a dish. Bell peppers, onions, carrots, and snap peas are all delicious additions. Just be sure to adjust the cooking times as some ingredients take longer to cook than others.

Delicious Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry (Fast, Flavorful, and Nutritious)

Name: Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 16 oz. broccoli florets; 16 oz. flank steak; 3 cloves garlic; 3 tsp. ginger; 1/3 cup soy sauce; 3 Tbsp. brown sugar; 2 Tbsp. cornstarch; 2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar; 1 Tbsp. sesame oil; 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil, divided; 1 tsp. sea salt, divided; 1/4 tsp. black pepper; rice for serving; garnish: sliced green onion, soy sauce, sriracha/garlic chile sauce, sesame seeds

Description

This steak and broccoli stir-fry is a quick, family-friendly dinner with tender steak, crisp broccoli, and a savory sauce. Ready in under 30 min!

Ingredients

Units Scale

16 oz. broccoli florets
16 oz. flank steak
3 cloves garlic
3 tsp. ginger
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. sesame oil
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil, divided
1 tsp. sea salt, divided
1/4 tsp. black pepper
rice for serving
garnish: sliced green onion, soy sauce, sriracha/garlic chile sauce, sesame seeds

Instructions

Prep ingredients:
Prepare rice according to package instructions.
Cut and trim broccoli so it’s in small, bite-size pieces.
Slice flank steak against the grain in 1/2 inch thick and 2-3 inches long. **Freeze for 30 min to make this easy.
Mince or grate garlic.
Mince ginger.
Mix up the stir-fry sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together minced garlic, minced ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or wok. Add broccoli to the skillet and season with 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. Cover, lower the heat to medium, and cook for 3-4 minutes, until slightly tender. Transfer broccoli to a plate and wipe out the skillet if necessary.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or wok. Add steak and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to skillet and cook for 5-8 minutes, until browned.
Add the broccoli and soy sauce mixture to the pan and lower the heat to medium. Cook another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce is thick and glossy.
Serve stir-fry over rice. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. If desired, serve with extra soy sauce and chili garlic sauce (or sriracha) to taste.

Notes

Storage: Store easy beef and broccoli leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. For best results, reheat the stir-fry in a hot skillet, just until heated through. You could also microwave (and I’ve done this!), but it can make the meat a bit tough.
Ingredient notes: Use high-quality espresso beans for best results. Whole milk creates the creamiest foam, but plant-based options like oat or almond milk also work.
Prep ahead: If you want to prep some of this meal ahead, you can trim the broccoli and mix uip the stir-fry sauce up to a day in advance.
Special tools: A large skillet or wok will be helpful to contain everything. And a rice maker is a must if you do frequent stir-fries.
Serve with: Rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice.
Nutrition: Nutrition facts are an estimate and do not include rice.