Perfect Beef and Broccoli

How to Make the Perfect Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Enjoy a delicious and easy-to-make beef and broccoli stir-fry that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. This dish features tender beef, crisp broccoli, and a flavorful Chinese-inspired sauce that comes together quickly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to mastering this classic recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Quick & Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings.
• Budget-Friendly: Uses flank or skirt steak for a flavorful and affordable option.
• Balanced Flavors: Soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine come together to create a savory, aromatic sauce.

Key Ingredients and Their Roles:

• Beef:
  Flank or skirt steak is ideal for its flavor and affordability.
  • Slice thinly against the grain for tenderness. A quick tip is to freeze the steak for 20 minutes to make slicing easier.
  • Premium cuts like sirloin or ribeye work well too, but you can slice them slightly thicker.
• Broccoli:
  • Tenderstem broccoli (or broccolini) retains a pleasant crunch when stir-fried.
  • You can also use regular broccoli florets; just slice them smaller for even cooking.
• Sauce:
  • Light Soy Sauce: Adds a salty, umami flavor.
  • Dark Soy Sauce: Deepens the color and adds a touch of sweetness.
  • Chinese Rice Wine: Essential for authentic flavor; you can substitute with sherry if needed.
  • Sesame Oil: Provides a nutty, rich flavor.
  • Brown Sugar: Balances the savory and salty elements.
  • White and Black Pepper: Add a gentle warmth and spice.
  • Cornstarch Slurry: Thickens the sauce, allowing it to coat the beef and broccoli perfectly.
• Aromatics:
  Garlic and ginger add depth and fragrance. Lightly frying these ingredients infuses the dish with their flavors.
  • Use a neutral, high-smoke-point oil like vegetable oil for stir-frying.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Beef and Broccoli:

1. Prepare the Sauce
In a bowl, combine the beef stock, light and dark soy sauces, rice wine, sesame oil, brown sugar, white pepper, and black pepper. Stir well and set aside.

2. Prep the Beef and Broccoli

• Thinly slice the beef against the grain. Use the freezing method for easier slicing.
• If using tenderstem broccoli, trim the ends and slice any thick stalks lengthwise.

3. Stir-Fry the Beef
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Quickly sear the beef in batches for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.

4. Cook the Broccoli
In the same wok, stir-fry the broccoli for about 2 minutes. For softer broccoli, cook a bit longer and add a splash of water to steam.

5. Sauté Aromatics
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining oil to the wok and sauté the minced garlic and ginger for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

6. Build the Sauce
Pour the prepared sauce into the wok, increase the heat, and bring it to a boil. Gradually add the cornstarch slurry, stirring until the sauce thickens.

7. Combine and Finish
Return the beef and broccoli to the wok. Toss everything together to coat with the sauce. Cook for another minute, then turn off the heat.

Serving Suggestions:

Pair your beef and broccoli stir-fry with one of these sides:

• Steamed white rice
• Egg-fried rice
• Cauliflower rice (for a low-carb option)
• Special fried rice

Pro Tips for Success:

• Slice Thinly: Thin slices of beef cook quickly and remain tender. A sharp knife makes this easier.
• Perfect Broccoli Texture: Aim for bright green broccoli with a slight crunch for the best results.
• Fresh Aromatics: Fresh garlic and ginger will give the dish the best flavor.
• Work Quickly: Stir-frying is a fast process, so have all your ingredients prepped before starting.

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

Main:

• 3 tbsp vegetable oil (or any high-smoke-point oil)
• 500g (1.1 lbs) skirt or flank steak, thinly sliced
• 450g (1 lb) tenderstem broccoli, sliced lengthwise if thick
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce:

• 250ml (1 cup + 2 tsp) hot beef stock
• 3 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Chinese rice wine (or sherry)
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 3 tbsp light brown sugar
• ⅛ tsp white pepper
• ⅛ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp cornstarch, mixed with 5 tbsp cold water

For Garnish:

• 1 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Prepare the Sauce:
   In a bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients (except the cornstarch slurry). Set aside.
2. Cook the Beef:
   Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a wok over high heat. Sear the beef for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
3. Cook the Broccoli:
   Stir-fry the broccoli for about 2 minutes. Transfer to the same bowl as the beef.
4. Sauté Aromatics:
   Add the remaining oil, ginger, and garlic to the wok. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Make the Sauce:
   Pour the prepared sauce into the wok, bring to a boil, and stir in the cornstarch slurry until the sauce thickens.
6. Combine:
   Return the beef and broccoli to the wok, toss to coat with the sauce, and heat through.
7. Serve:
   Garnish with sesame seeds and serve with your choice of rice.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: 398
• Protein: 33g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fat: 19g

Enjoy this flavorful, quick beef and broccoli stir-fry for a delicious, homemade Chinese-style dinner!