Description
Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot easier and more delicious with this Quick and Easy 15 Minute Beef Broccoli. Tender strips of beef are stir-fried to perfection with crisp broccoli florets in a savory, irresistible sauce that coats every single bite. This dish is a flavor explosion that’s surprisingly simple to whip up, making it a guaranteed hit for busy evenings.
Ingredients
1 pound flank steak, sliced against the grain into very thin, 2-inch strips
3 cups fresh broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized uniform pieces
2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil (like canola or avocado)
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated
For the Sauce:
1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons beef broth (substituted for cooking wine)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup water
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, beef broth, cornstarch, and water until smooth and no lumps remain. Set this sauce aside.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until it just begins to smoke.
3. Add the sliced beef in a single layer and let it sear for 60 seconds. Then, stir and cook for another 60 to 90 seconds until mostly browned but still a little pink inside. Transfer the beef to a clean plate.
4. Return the wok to high heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil.
5. Add the broccoli florets to the hot wok and stir-fry for 1 minute.
6. Pour in about 2 tablespoons of water, cover the wok, and steam the broccoli for 1 to 2 minutes until it’s bright green and tender-crisp.
7. Remove the lid, move the broccoli to the sides of the wok, and add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the center. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
8. Give the sauce a quick stir to reincorporate the cornstarch, then pour it into the wok.
9. Add the cooked beef and any juices from its plate back into the wok.
10. Toss everything together for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce boils, thickens, and coats the beef and broccoli. Serve immediately over rice.
Notes
Prep is Key: Since this dish cooks so quickly, have all your ingredients measured, chopped, and ready to go before you start cooking. This is the secret to a smooth and successful stir-fry.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook the beef in a single layer. Overcrowding the skillet can cause the beef to steam instead of sear, leading to less desirable texture. If necessary, cook the beef in batches.
Broccoli Texture: Stir-fry the broccoli for just a few minutes. You want it to be crisp-tender, retaining some bite, rather than soft and mushy.
Sauce Consistency: The sauce will thicken as it simmers. Keep stirring to prevent sticking and achieve that beautiful glossy coating on your beef and broccoli.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian