Need a quick and easy beef and broccoli recipe? This healthy beef and broccoli stir fry recipe is made with simple ingredients and is made in under 30 minutes. The sauce is AMAZING!
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If you love ordering broccoli and beef take-out, but want to save yourself some money and calories, you’re in the right place. This healthy beef and broccoli recipe is made with ingredients that makes it much healthier than your favorite Asian restaurant.
With lots of fresh broccoli and a simple and delicious stir fry sauce, this easy beef and broccoli comes together quickly and simply, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner option.
What do I need to make this easy beef and broccoli?
- Flank steak – cut into thin strips
- Olive Oil
- Fresh Broccoli – rinsed and cut into small florets
- Sesame seeds
- Fresh ginger
- Low-sodium soy sauce
- Honey
- Corn starch
- Black pepper
- Sesame oil
- Rice for serving – white rice, brown rice or cauliflower rice are all good options
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe. Thanks!
What is beef and broccoli sauce made of?
The stir fry sauce used to make beef and broccoli is made of fresh ginger, garlic, water, low sodium soy sauce, honey, corn starch, black pepper and sesame oil.
For an extra thick saucy beef and broccoli, you can double the amount of sauce.
How do I cook broccoli for a stir fry?
To cook broccoli for a stir fry, simply add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil, and heat over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the rinsed broccoli to the pan and toss for 4-5 minutes cooking on all sides.
If you prefer a softer broccoli, add in 1/4 cup of water and cover the pan with a lid. This will steam the broccoli for a more tender texture.
What cut of meat is used for beef and broccoli?
When using beef in a stir fry recipe, flank steak, strip steak or sirloin are good choices. For a traditional stir fry, cut the beef into longer, thin strips. This will help the beef cook quickly and evenly while still keeping it tender.
How do I make a healthy beef and broccoli recipe?
- Trim off excess fat from the beef – trimming off excess fat will reduce your fat content and offer a more lean protein base.
- Load up on broccoli – having 6 cups or more of broccoli will help increase the volume per serving. Broccoli is a nutrient dense vegetable and offers plenty of fiber to help keep you fuller longer.
- Use honey instead of sugar – most stir fry sauces use brown sugar to sweeten the sauce. Honey is a natural sweetener and less processed than refined brown sugar. It will still help keep your sauce sweet.
- Measure the oil – When sautéing the broccoli you’ll need 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the sauce calls for 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. Measuring the oil will help prevent over-pouring or being heavy handed with excess fat, which adds extra calories to your stir fry.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the recipe at the bottom of the post. Thanks!
What should I serve beef and broccoli stir fry with?
It’s traditional to serve stir fry recipes with white or brown rice. For a healthy beef and broccoli recipe, I recommend using cauliflower rice, which is a great, low-carb option. I buy riced cauliflower in the frozen food section, which is one of my 15 Things I Buy at Costco for Healthy Meals and Snacks.
You could also serve this beef and broccoli with noodles. Udon wheat noodles, Udon brown rice noodles and lo mein egg noodles are all great options. These can be found in the Asian food section of most grocery stores. Try these Garlic Sesame Noodles by Eat With Clarity.
Love cooking Asian-inspired recipes? Check out these other popular recipes:
Love cooking with broccoli? Check out some of my other recipes that use broccoli:
- Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
- Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
- Mac and Cheese with Ham and Broccoli
- Healthy Chicken Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Healthy Broccoli Salad with Apples and Cherries
- Sauteed Broccoli with Garlic
If you loved this beef recipe, check out these other recipes that use beef:
Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe
Looking for a healthy beef and broccoli recipe? This easy beef and broccoli stir fry recipe is simple to make and made in under 30 minutes. Great as a weeknight dinner idea!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. flank steak, cut into long, thin strips
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
- 1 lb. broccoli florets, about 3 medium crowns
- 2 tsp. sesame seeds, optional
Stir Fry Sauce:
- 1/2 c. water
- 1/3 c. low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp. honey
- 2 Tbsp. sesame oil
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. corn starch
- 1 tsp. fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- If serving rice with the stir fry, begin making it so it is ready when the stir fry is done.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the stir fry sauce ingredients. Whisk well to incorporate and dissolve the honey. Set sauce aside.
- To a large skillet or wok, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and sautee for 4-5 minutes tossing frequently until broccoli is bright green and slightly tender. Transfer the sauteed broccoli to a bowl and cover to keep warm.
- In same skillet, add the last tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium high heat. Add the beef and brown for 3-4 minutes or just until cooked through. Drain off any excess fat the beef will render. Pour the sauce over the browned beef and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir often. Bring to a low simmer and heat for 3-4 minutes. Sauce will thicken. Add in the cooked broccoli and toss together with the sauce to coat.
- Serve with white, brown or cauliflower rice or noodles. Top with sesame seeds, if desired. (See post for suggested options.)
Notes
Don't go overboard with the ginger. One teaspoon of fresh grated ginger is adequate. Anything more and it will overpower the sauce flavor.
Sesame oil can be found in most grocery stores in the Asian foods section. I wouldn't recommend substituting this ingredient, as it adds a great flavor to the sauce.
Storage: refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container. Will keep for up to 5 days refrigerated.
Meal Prep: This is a great meal prep recipe. For meal prepping, add in 1 cup of your preferred rice (cauliflower rice is a low-carb, healthy option) on the bottom of your meal prep container. Top with 1 1/2 cups (1 serving) of the beef and broccoli. Let cool before covering and refrigerating.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 1/2 cupsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 304Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 536mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 3gSugar: 10gProtein: 24g
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