Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Garlic Sauce

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

  1. Slice the beef thinly against the grain. This ensures tenderness.
  2. 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

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch dissolved in water.
  2. Set the sauce aside for later use.

Step 3: Cook the Beef

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
  2. Add the marinated beef slices in batches. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, turning frequently until browned but not overcooked.
  3. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables

  1. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil.
  2. Add minced garlic, minced ginger, and sliced onion. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. 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

  1. Return the cooked beef to the skillet.
  2. Pour the prepared Soy Ginger Garlic Sauce over the beef and vegetables.
  3. Stir well to combine, ensuring everything is coated with the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. 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

  1. Garnish with sliced green onions.
  2. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Slice Beef Against the Grain: This makes the meat more tender and easier to chew.
  3. High Heat is Key: Use a high heat to sear the beef and cook the vegetables quickly. This ensures a perfect texture.
  4. Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ginger, garlic, and quality soy sauce make a significant difference in flavor.
  5. 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.

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Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Garlic Sauce


  • Author: Imili Johnson
  • Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

Scale

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

  1. Slice the beef thinly against the grain. This ensures tenderness.
  2. 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

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch dissolved in water.
  2. Set the sauce aside for later use.

Step 3: Cook the Beef

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
  2. Add the marinated beef slices in batches. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, turning frequently until browned but not overcooked.
  3. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables

  1. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil.
  2. Add minced garlic, minced ginger, and sliced onion. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. 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

  1. Return the cooked beef to the skillet.
  2. Pour the prepared Soy Ginger Garlic Sauce over the beef and vegetables.
  3. Stir well to combine, ensuring everything is coated with the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. 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

  1. Garnish with sliced green onions.
  2. 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

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