Better Than Takeout Beef and Broccoli

Better than takeout beef and broccoli is truly better than takeout. As an added bonus it’s significantly faster, more affordable, and healthier too. From the tender beef strips to the crisp broccoli and mouthwatering Asian-inspired sauce this recipe is going to become your new go-to favorite.

This beef and broccoli stir fry uses basic pantry staple ingredients and comes together in minutes flat making it a perfect dinner option any night of the week.

From the seared beef strips to the wonderful marinade soaking into every bite this dish is simply delicious, especially when you pair it with a wonderful bowl of freshly cooked white rice. 

Homemade Beef and Broccoli

Chinese beef and broccoli is the epitome of Chinese food and one of the most popular items served at American Chinese restaurants, of course, it’s not hard to see why.

This dish has everything from meat to veggies, and a savory sauce holding it all together in every bite, this is a dish that never lasts long as everyone happily goes back for seconds.

We’ve turned out favorite take-out food and turned it into a healthy beef and broccoli stir fry that the whole family can enjoy. 

Ingredients you’ll need for Beef and Broccoli:

• Low sodium beef broth
• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Sesame oil
• Cornstarch
• Apple cider vinegar
• Garlic powder
• Ground ginger
• Red pepper flakes
• Oil
• Beef quick fry strips
• Fresh broccoli

For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.

How to Make Better Than Takeout Beef and Broccoli

Mix together the beef broth, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, cornstarch, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes in a medium-sized bowl until smooth. Set it aside.

In a large pan or pot, heat your oil over medium-high and then sear the beef strips until they are cooked through. This should take about 3-5 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, steam your broccoli until it’s tender and crisp. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes but it will depend upon the size of your used florets.

Pour the sauce mixture over the top of the cooked beef and bring it to a boil while stirring frequently until thickened.

Fold the broccoli into the beef and sauce mixture.

Serve immediately over rice. If desired you can garnish the tops with sesame seeds.

Recipe Tips

To make this recipe a bit healthier you can use reduced-sodium soy sauce and no sodium beef broth. This will help to reduce the salt intake.

Adding in the red pepper flakes is optional. They do add in a small amount of heat but they can easily be omitted or added to depending on your own personal taste preferences.

If your sauce is too thick, add in a small amount of broth to thin it out. If your sauce is too thin, add a small cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water) to thicken the sauce as it cooks.

How to Make White Rice for Broccoli Beef

Heat a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat and bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Stir in 2 cups of white short-grain rice and then cover the pot with a lid. Turn the heat down to a simmer and allow to simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until almost all of the liquid has been absorbed by the rice. Remove from heat and let the rice rest for about 5 minutes before serving and using. 

Fluff your rice with a fork before serving to make it lighter and not so compacted before scooping and serving. I recommend starting the rice just before you begin with the broccoli beef mixture as it will finish at about the same time or will stay warm while you finish up the broccoli beef.

 

FAQs

What is the best cut of beef for beef and broccoli?

The best cuts of beef to use are flank steak, skirt steak, or a London broil depending on what is easier to get your hands on. Just remember to cut against the grain as you slice the meat into 1/4 inch thick strips as this will help to make the meat more tender and easier to chew into. Note that you can use sliced chicken instead of beef if desired.

How to get a good sear on your meat

Make sure that your skillet is hot before adding your beef strips to it. Once the pan is hot and heated to the right temperature you should be able to add a few drops of water to the pan and see them sizzle and dance around on the pan before evaporating completely. This is a good sign. Add in the oil and meat and cook as directed. Also note that adding too much meat to the pan (overcrowding it) can cause the meat to steam cook instead of sear so if needed, work in smaller batches of meat and just add them all back to the pan before adding in the sauce.

Is Chinese beef and broccoli gluten free?

This recipe can easily be made gluten free by selecting gluten free soy sauce. We do not use flour in this recipe and the only ingredient that may contain gluten is the soy sauce as some do contain gluten while others do not. Simply read the ingredient label to double-check.

How to store leftover broccoli beef

Keep your leftovers stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days or freeze your cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

 

 

For more healthy homemade Chinese food recipes check out these tasty suggestions:

• Cauliflower Fried Rice
• Teriyaki Tofu Lettuce Wraps
• Easy Gluten Free Orange Chicken
• Healthy Peanut Sauce Noodles
• Unreal Bang Bang Broccoli (Healthy!)
• Healthy Dragon Bowls
• Asian Chicken & Satsuma Salad (GF option!)
• How to cook beef tenderloin