Chinese Beef and Broccoli Flavorful Dinner Recipe

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Craving a quick, tasty dinner? Chinese beef and broccoli is your answer. This dish is packed with flavor and super easy to make. With fresh beef, crisp broccoli, and a savory sauce, it satisfies every time. I’ll guide you through each step, from prepping the ingredients to perfecting the sauce. Let’s dive in and make your new favorite dish together!

Why I Love This Recipe

  1. Quick and Easy: This stir-fry comes together in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
  2. Flavorful Sauce: The combination of soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar creates a deliciously balanced sauce that enhances the dish.
  3. Nutritious Ingredients: Packed with beef and fresh broccoli, this recipe is both satisfying and nutritious.
  4. Customizable: You can easily adjust the spice level and add other vegetables to suit your taste.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients for Chinese Beef and Broccoli

– 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced

– 2 cups broccoli florets

– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

– 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Seasoning and Sauce Ingredients

– 3 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 inch ginger, grated

– 1/4 cup soy sauce

– 1 tablespoon cornstarch

– 1 tablespoon honey

– 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

– 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes (optional)

– Salt and pepper to taste

Suggested Accompaniments and Serving Ideas

Serve your beef and broccoli over fluffy jasmine rice. This makes a great base. You can also sprinkle sesame seeds for crunch and sliced green onions for a fresh touch. This dish looks pretty and tastes even better! For a bit of heat, add more chili flakes. Enjoy it with a side of pickled vegetables for a delightful contrast.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation of Ingredients

Start by gathering all your ingredients. You need:

– 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced

– 2 cups broccoli florets

– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

– 1 tablespoon sesame oil

– 3 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 inch ginger, grated

– 1/4 cup soy sauce

– 1 tablespoon cornstarch

– 1 tablespoon honey

– 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

– 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes (optional)

– Salt and pepper to taste

– Cooked jasmine rice, for serving

In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, cornstarch, honey, and rice vinegar. Add crushed red chili flakes if you like spice. This is your sauce. Set it aside for now.

Cooking the Beef

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced beef. Season it with salt and pepper. Stir-fry the beef for about 3-4 minutes. You want it to turn brown and cook through. Once done, take the beef out of the skillet and set it aside.

Stir-Frying the Broccoli

In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Toss in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir quickly for about 30 seconds until you smell the aroma. Next, add the broccoli florets. Stir-fry them for about 2-3 minutes. You want them tender but still bright green.

After the broccoli is ready, put the cooked beef back into the skillet. Pour the sauce over the beef and broccoli. Stir everything well to coat the ingredients. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. This will let the sauce thicken and stick to your meal.

Finally, drizzle with sesame oil and toss everything together. Now your dish is ready to serve! Enjoy it over fluffy jasmine rice.

Tips & Tricks

How to Achieve Perfectly Tender Beef

To get tender beef, start with sirloin. Slice it thinly against the grain. This helps break down the fibers. Marinate your beef briefly in soy sauce and cornstarch. This adds flavor and keeps it juicy. Stir-fry the beef quickly over high heat. Cook it just until browned. Overcooking will make it tough. Remove it from the pan while it’s still slightly pink. It will continue to cook later.

Best Cooking Techniques for Broccoli

For bright green broccoli, use fresh florets. Cut them into similar sizes for even cooking. In your hot skillet, add the broccoli after the garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for just 2-3 minutes. You want them tender-crisp, not mushy. This keeps the vibrant color and nutrients. If you want a bit more flavor, add a splash of water. Cover the skillet for a minute. This helps steam the broccoli and keeps it bright.

Enhancing Flavor with Additional Spices

To boost the flavor of your dish, consider adding more spices. Crushed red chili flakes give a nice kick. If you like it sweeter, add a bit more honey. A splash of rice vinegar adds brightness. You can also try adding a dash of five-spice powder for depth. Always taste as you go. This way, you can adjust the flavors to your liking.

Pro Tips

  1. Choose the Right Cut: Use flank or sirloin steak for the best flavor and tenderness in your stir-fry.
  2. Prep Ingredients Ahead: Have all your ingredients chopped and ready to go before starting to cook for a seamless stir-fry experience.
  3. Control the Heat: Make sure your skillet or wok is hot enough before adding the beef to get a good sear and keep it juicy.
  4. Add Sauce at the Right Time: Pour the sauce over the ingredients towards the end of cooking to prevent it from burning and to enhance flavor.

Variations

Alternative Proteins to Use

You can swap beef for chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Each protein brings a unique flavor. Chicken works well because it cooks fast and absorbs sauce nicely. Shrimp adds a sweet touch and cooks quickly. Tofu is great for a plant-based option, soaking up all those tasty flavors.

Vegetarian Version of Beef and Broccoli

For a vegetarian dish, use extra-firm tofu or seitan. Start by pressing tofu to remove excess water. Cut it into cubes, then pan-fry until golden. Add broccoli, garlic, and ginger. Use the same sauce from the original recipe. This maintains the dish’s essence while keeping it meat-free.

Different Sauces and Flavor Combinations

You can change up the sauce for new flavors. Try teriyaki sauce for a sweet twist. Hoisin sauce adds richness and depth. For a spicy kick, mix in chili garlic sauce. Each sauce can change the dish’s vibe while still staying true to its roots. Feel free to play around and find your favorite!

Storage Info

How to Store Leftovers

To store your tasty beef and broccoli, let it cool first. Place it in an airtight container. This helps keep the flavors fresh. You can store it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it for up to three months. Just make sure to separate the rice if you have any.

Reheating Tips to Retain Flavor and Texture

When reheating, I recommend using a skillet. Heat it over medium heat and add a splash of water or broth. This helps steam the dish, keeping it moist. Stir often to heat it evenly. You can also use the microwave, but cover it loosely to avoid drying it out.

Shelf Life of Cooked Chinese Beef and Broccoli

Cooked Chinese beef and broccoli lasts three days in the fridge. If you freeze it, it will last about three months. After that, the texture and taste may change. Always check for signs of spoilage, like off smells or discoloration, before eating.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. It is easy and saves time. Just add it to the pan while cooking. Cook for about 4-5 minutes. This will help it warm up and become tender. If you prefer a fresh taste, thaw the broccoli first.

What can I substitute for soy sauce?

You can use tamari or coconut aminos. They both offer a great flavor. Tamari is a gluten-free option. Coconut aminos are sweeter and less salty than soy sauce. Adjust the amount to suit your taste.

How do I make Chinese Beef and Broccoli gluten-free?

To make this dish gluten-free, swap soy sauce for gluten-free tamari. Also, check your cornstarch to ensure it’s gluten-free. Use fresh ingredients and follow the recipe closely. Enjoy a delicious meal without gluten!

In this post, we explored how to make delicious Chinese Beef and Broccoli. We went through the key ingredients, easy steps, and handy tips. Remember to use tender beef and fresh broccoli for the best dish. Consider serving it with rice or noodles. Feel free to experiment with different proteins or sauces. Storing leftovers properly helps maintain flavor. Enjoy making this classic meal at hom

- 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced - 2 cups broccoli florets - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 inch ginger, grated - 1/4 cup soy sauce - 1 tablespoon cornstarch - 1 tablespoon honey - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes (optional) - Salt and pepper to taste Serve your beef and broccoli over fluffy jasmine rice. This makes a great base. You can also sprinkle sesame seeds for crunch and sliced green onions for a fresh touch. This dish looks pretty and tastes even better! For a bit of heat, add more chili flakes. Enjoy it with a side of pickled vegetables for a delightful contrast. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by gathering all your ingredients. You need: - 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced - 2 cups broccoli florets - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 inch ginger, grated - 1/4 cup soy sauce - 1 tablespoon cornstarch - 1 tablespoon honey - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes (optional) - Salt and pepper to taste - Cooked jasmine rice, for serving In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, cornstarch, honey, and rice vinegar. Add crushed red chili flakes if you like spice. This is your sauce. Set it aside for now. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced beef. Season it with salt and pepper. Stir-fry the beef for about 3-4 minutes. You want it to turn brown and cook through. Once done, take the beef out of the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Toss in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir quickly for about 30 seconds until you smell the aroma. Next, add the broccoli florets. Stir-fry them for about 2-3 minutes. You want them tender but still bright green. After the broccoli is ready, put the cooked beef back into the skillet. Pour the sauce over the beef and broccoli. Stir everything well to coat the ingredients. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. This will let the sauce thicken and stick to your meal. Finally, drizzle with sesame oil and toss everything together. Now your dish is ready to serve! Enjoy it over fluffy jasmine rice. To get tender beef, start with sirloin. Slice it thinly against the grain. This helps break down the fibers. Marinate your beef briefly in soy sauce and cornstarch. This adds flavor and keeps it juicy. Stir-fry the beef quickly over high heat. Cook it just until browned. Overcooking will make it tough. Remove it from the pan while it's still slightly pink. It will continue to cook later. For bright green broccoli, use fresh florets. Cut them into similar sizes for even cooking. In your hot skillet, add the broccoli after the garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for just 2-3 minutes. You want them tender-crisp, not mushy. This keeps the vibrant color and nutrients. If you want a bit more flavor, add a splash of water. Cover the skillet for a minute. This helps steam the broccoli and keeps it bright. To boost the flavor of your dish, consider adding more spices. Crushed red chili flakes give a nice kick. If you like it sweeter, add a bit more honey. A splash of rice vinegar adds brightness. You can also try adding a dash of five-spice powder for depth. Always taste as you go. This way, you can adjust the flavors to your liking. Pro Tips Choose the Right Cut: Use flank or sirloin steak for the best flavor and tenderness in your stir-fry. Prep Ingredients Ahead: Have all your ingredients chopped and ready to go before starting to cook for a seamless stir-fry experience. Control the Heat: Make sure your skillet or wok is hot enough before adding the beef to get a good sear and keep it juicy. Add Sauce at the Right Time: Pour the sauce over the ingredients towards the end of cooking to prevent it from burning and to enhance flavor. {{image_2}} You can swap beef for chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Each protein brings a unique flavor. Chicken works well because it cooks fast and absorbs sauce nicely. Shrimp adds a sweet touch and cooks quickly. Tofu is great for a plant-based option, soaking up all those tasty flavors. For a vegetarian dish, use extra-firm tofu or seitan. Start by pressing tofu to remove excess water. Cut it into cubes, then pan-fry until golden. Add broccoli, garlic, and ginger. Use the same sauce from the original recipe. This maintains the dish's essence while keeping it meat-free. You can change up the sauce for new flavors. Try teriyaki sauce for a sweet twist. Hoisin sauce adds richness and depth. For a spicy kick, mix in chili garlic sauce. Each sauce can change the dish's vibe while still staying true to its roots. Feel free to play around and find your favorite! To store your tasty beef and broccoli, let it cool first. Place it in an airtight container. This helps keep the flavors fresh. You can store it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it for up to three months. Just make sure to separate the rice if you have any. When reheating, I recommend using a skillet. Heat it over medium heat and add a splash of water or broth. This helps steam the dish, keeping it moist. Stir often to heat it evenly. You can also use the microwave, but cover it loosely to avoid drying it out. Cooked Chinese beef and broccoli lasts three days in the fridge. If you freeze it, it will last about three months. After that, the texture and taste may change. Always check for signs of spoilage, like off smells or discoloration, before eating. Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. It is easy and saves time. Just add it to the pan while cooking. Cook for about 4-5 minutes. This will help it warm up and become tender. If you prefer a fresh taste, thaw the broccoli first. You can use tamari or coconut aminos. They both offer a great flavor. Tamari is a gluten-free option. Coconut aminos are sweeter and less salty than soy sauce. Adjust the amount to suit your taste. To make this dish gluten-free, swap soy sauce for gluten-free tamari. Also, check your cornstarch to ensure it's gluten-free. Use fresh ingredients and follow the recipe closely. Enjoy a delicious meal without gluten! In this post, we explored how to make delicious Chinese Beef and Broccoli. We went through the key ingredients, easy steps, and handy tips. Remember to use tender beef and fresh broccoli for the best dish. Consider serving it with rice or noodles. Feel free to experiment with different proteins or sauces. Storing leftovers properly helps maintain flavor. Enjoy making this classic meal at home!

Sizzling Chinese Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

A delicious and quick stir-fry featuring tender beef and crisp broccoli in a savory sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, grated
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes (optional)
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • for serving cooked jasmine rice

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, cornstarch, honey, rice vinegar, and crushed red chili flakes (if using). Mix until smooth and set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced beef and season with salt and pepper. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until browned and just cooked through. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring quickly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add the broccoli florets and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until they start to become tender-crisp.
  • Return the cooked beef to the skillet, pouring the sauce over the beef and broccoli. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the ingredients.
  • Drizzle with sesame oil and toss to combine before removing from heat.

Notes

Serve the stir-fry over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for added color and flavor.
Keyword beef, broccoli, quick meal, stir-fry

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