Introduction
Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Garlic Sauce is a classic Asian-inspired dish that combines tender beef strips with crisp broccoli florets, all coated in a savory and aromatic garlic sauce. This dish is a delicious, quick, and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress with a homemade dinner. The magic lies in the flavorful soy, ginger, and garlic sauce, which adds a rich umami taste to the dish. This recipe is simple yet full of bold flavors, making it a favorite among stir-fry lovers.
Ingredients:
For the Beef and Broccoli:
- 1 lb (450 g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 lb (450 g) broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola or sesame oil)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, minced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thicker sauce)
- 1 tablespoon water (to mix with cornstarch if using)
For the Soy Ginger Garlic Sauce:
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 cup beef broth or water
Preparation:
Step 1: Prepare the Beef
- Slice the beef thinly against the grain. This ensures tenderness.
- In a medium bowl, mix the sliced beef with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch (if using). Let it marinate for about 15 minutes to enhance the flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch dissolved in water.
- Set the sauce aside for later use.
Step 3: Cook the Beef
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
- Add the marinated beef slices in batches. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, turning frequently until browned but not overcooked.
- Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
- In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil.
- Add minced garlic, minced ginger, and sliced onion. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the broccoli florets and red bell pepper slices (if using). Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
Step 5: Combine and Sauce It Up
- Return the cooked beef to the skillet.
- Pour the prepared Soy Ginger Garlic Sauce over the beef and vegetables.
- Stir well to combine, ensuring everything is coated with the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- If the sauce is too thin, add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) and stir until it reaches the desired consistency.
Step 6: Serve
- Garnish with sliced green onions.
- Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
COOKING Note:
- For extra tenderness, marinate the beef longer (up to 30 minutes) if time allows.
- Avoid overcooking the beef as it can become tough; aim for a quick sear.
- You can blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 2 minutes before stir-frying if you prefer softer broccoli.
- Adjust the sweetness of the sauce by adding more or less brown sugar/honey based on your taste preference.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with a side of steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or quinoa to soak up the delicious sauce.
- For a low-carb option, use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
- Pair the dish with a light, refreshing cucumber salad or pickled vegetables for contrast.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for added crunch and presentation.
Tips:
- Prep All Ingredients First: Stir-frying is a quick cooking method, so have all your ingredients chopped and ready to go before you start cooking.
- Slice Beef Against the Grain: This makes the meat more tender and easier to chew.
- High Heat is Key: Use a high heat to sear the beef and cook the vegetables quickly. This ensures a perfect texture.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ginger, garlic, and quality soy sauce make a significant difference in flavor.
- Experiment with Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like snap peas, baby corn, or mushrooms for a more diverse stir-fry.
Prep Time:
- 15 minutes for prepping ingredients (including marinating beef).
Cooking Time:
- 20 minutes for cooking the beef and vegetables.
Total Time:
- 35 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 370
- Protein: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 22g
- Sodium: 890mg
Conclusion
This Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Garlic Sauce is a delightful dish that balances the savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors of Asian cuisine. The combination of tender beef and crunchy broccoli, enveloped in a glossy garlic soy sauce, is irresistible. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe is quick, easy, and healthy. The flexibility to customize ingredients and adjust flavors makes it an all-time favorite. Enjoy a restaurant-quality dish in the comfort of your home with this fantastic stir-fry recipe.
PrintBeef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Garlic Sauce
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
For the Beef and Broccoli:
- 1 lb (450 g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 lb (450 g) broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola or sesame oil)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, minced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thicker sauce)
- 1 tablespoon water (to mix with cornstarch if using)
For the Soy Ginger Garlic Sauce:
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 cup beef broth or water
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Beef
- Slice the beef thinly against the grain. This ensures tenderness.
- In a medium bowl, mix the sliced beef with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch (if using). Let it marinate for about 15 minutes to enhance the flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch dissolved in water.
- Set the sauce aside for later use.
Step 3: Cook the Beef
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
- Add the marinated beef slices in batches. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, turning frequently until browned but not overcooked.
- Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
- In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil.
- Add minced garlic, minced ginger, and sliced onion. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the broccoli florets and red bell pepper slices (if using). Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
Step 5: Combine and Sauce It Up
- Return the cooked beef to the skillet.
- Pour the prepared Soy Ginger Garlic Sauce over the beef and vegetables.
- Stir well to combine, ensuring everything is coated with the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- If the sauce is too thin, add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) and stir until it reaches the desired consistency.
Step 6: Serve
- Garnish with sliced green onions.
- Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 370
- Sodium: 890mg
- Protein: 28g