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I'm thrilled to share this Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry recipe with you—a dish that captures the essence of quick, easy, and incredibly tasty cooking. Imagine tender slices of beef mingling with crisp, vibrant broccoli florets, all enveloped in a luscious sauce that's rich yet balanced. In just 30 minutes, you'll have this restaurant-quality meal ready to impress. Trust me, once you try this, you'll wonder why you ever considered takeout!
What really sets this recipe apart is its versatility. You can customize the stir-fry sauce to suit your palate, and even toss in additional veggies like bell peppers or carrots if you're looking to amp up the nutritional value. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you're craving some comfort food without the fuss, this Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry is a dish that I find myself coming back to time and again. So grab your skillet or wok, and let's get cooking!
Substitutions for Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
- Beef Alternatives: If you're not a beef eater or just want to switch it up, you can totally use chicken, pork, or even tofu. I've tried all of these, and each brings its own unique flavor to the dish.
- Broccoli Substitutes: Not a fan of broccoli or just don't have any on hand? No worries! I've successfully used bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas as tasty alternatives.
- Soy Sauce: If you don't have low-sodium soy sauce, regular soy sauce works too. Just keep an eye on the saltiness, especially if you're also using other salty ingredients like oyster sauce.
- Oyster Sauce: I get it, oyster sauce isn't always a pantry staple. You can substitute it with a mixture of soy sauce and a pinch of sugar, or use a vegetarian mushroom-based oyster sauce.
- Hoisin Sauce: Can't find hoisin sauce? I've used teriyaki sauce as a quick alternative. It's a bit sweeter, so you might want to adjust the amount to your taste.
- Cornstarch: If you're out of cornstarch, arrowroot powder or potato starch can be used to thicken the sauce. I've used both in a pinch, and they work well.
- Vegetable Oil: Any neutral oil like canola, sunflower, or grapeseed oil can be used instead of vegetable oil. I avoid olive oil here as it can overpower the flavors.
- Fresh Ginger and Garlic: If you're out of fresh ginger or garlic, you can use their powdered forms. The flavor will be a bit different, but it gets the job done. For each tablespoon of fresh ginger or garlic, I substitute with ¼ to ½ teaspoon of the powdered form.
- Sesame Oil: While sesame oil adds a nice nutty aroma, it can be omitted or replaced with a little extra vegetable oil if you don't have any. The flavor will be less robust, but still delicious.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
- Choosing the Beef: When I'm at the butcher or grocery store, I typically go for sirloin or flank steak for this recipe. These cuts are lean yet tender, making them perfect for quick stir-frying. If they're not available, round steak is a good alternative.
- Slicing the Beef: Here's a tip I swear by—partially freeze the beef for about 20-30 minutes before slicing. This makes it easier to cut into thin, uniform slices, which is key for quick and even cooking.
- Prepping Ahead: If I'm pressed for time, I often whisk together the stir-fry sauce in advance and store it in the fridge. This way, when it's time to cook, I've got one less thing to worry about.
- Skillet or Wok: I've cooked this in both a skillet and a wok, and both work wonderfully. However, if you're after that classic wok-charred flavor, go with the wok. Just make sure it's really hot before you start cooking.
- Cooking the Broccoli: I aim for crisp-tender broccoli that still retains its vibrant green color. Overcooked, mushy broccoli is a no-go for me, so I keep an eye on it while stir-frying.
- Customization: Feel free to toss in additional veggies or even some crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. This recipe is super forgiving, and I love switching things up depending on my mood and what's in the fridge.
- Serving: I can't emphasize enough how well this stir-fry pairs with steamed rice or noodles. For a low-carb alternative, I sometimes serve it over cauliflower rice or even eat it on its own.
- Leftovers: If you're lucky enough to have leftovers, they reheat beautifully. Sometimes, I even think the flavors meld better the next day.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
Storing: After making this delicious Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry, I usually store any leftovers in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It stays good for up to 3 days. Trust me, the flavors meld beautifully as it sits!
Freezing: If you're like me and love having ready-to-go meals, you can freeze this stir-fry too. Just make sure to let it cool down completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. I've found that it freezes well for up to 2 months.
Reheating: When I'm ready to dive back into those amazing flavors, I have a couple of options for reheating:
- Microwave: I transfer a serving into a microwave-safe dish, cover it loosely, and heat on medium power, stirring occasionally, until hot.
- Stovetop: If I have a bit more time, I prefer to reheat it on the stovetop. I place the stir-fry in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it's heated through.
Related Recipes
Easy Vegetable Stir Fry: this dish is the epitome of fresh and fast, packed with an array of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, sugar snap peas, broccoli, mushrooms, and baby corn.
Saltado de Pollo (Peruvian Stir Fry): this Peruvian stir-fry dish is a beautiful fusion of flavors, where marinated chicken meets a colorful array of bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes.
Recipe
Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Equipment
- Large skillet or wok
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Optional: sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, cornstarch, water, and sesame oil. Set the sauce aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced beef and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until it's browned and cooked to your desired doneness. Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they are crisp-tender and bright green.
- Return the cooked beef to the skillet and pour in the prepared sauce. Stir everything together and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the beef and broccoli.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
- Serve the Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry hot over steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
Nutrition
Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry - FAQ
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly as frozen broccoli can release more water into the skillet. You may also want to partially thaw the broccoli before adding it to the stir-fry to reduce the cooking time.
he recipe calls for sirloin or flank steak, which are tender and quick-cooking cuts. You can also use other cuts like round steak or skirt steak if you prefer. Just make sure to slice the beef thinly to ensure quick and even cooking.
The recipe suggests serving the dish over steamed rice or noodles. You could also serve it with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
If you don't have oyster sauce, you can substitute it with a combination of soy sauce and a small amount of sugar or use a vegetarian oyster sauce made from mushrooms.
Ginger Lawson says
I love making stir fry for any easy weeknight dinner. left overs for lunch 😉
Danny says
After buying my first wok, I've been looking for reasons to use it.