Chinese Beef and Broccoli

Introduction

Chinese Beef and Broccoli is a classic stir-fry dish celebrated for its tender, savory slices of beef and crisp-tender broccoli in a luscious, garlicky sauce. What makes this recipe so irresistible is its balance of flavors—salty, slightly sweet, and umami—while remaining simple enough for a busy weeknight dinner. It’s a crowd-pleasing choice that brings unmistakable restaurant flair to your home kitchen—without the takeout menu!

The Irresistible Allure of Chinese Beef and Broccoli

The beauty of Chinese Beef and Broccoli lies in its simplicity and universal appeal. Juicy beef, fresh, vibrant broccoli, and a velvety sauce come together in mere minutes, offering a dish that pairs perfectly with fluffy steamed rice. This stir-fry delivers bold flavor and satisfying texture in every bite, making it a go-to meal for family dinners or friendly gatherings.

Essential Tips for Stir-fry Success

To achieve the hallmark tenderness of takeout-style beef, slice your steak thinly against the grain and marinate briefly. Blanching the broccoli before stir-frying keeps it crisp and bright green. Stir-frying at high heat ensures the sauce quickly thickens and the ingredients stay vibrant and flavorful, never overcooked.

Assembling Your Perfect Chinese Beef and Broccoli

After prepping your ingredients, the cooking process is quick—under 20 minutes! Start by flash-cooking the beef until just browned, then sauté garlic and broccoli until fragrant. Bring everything together with the savory sauce, allowing it to bubble and thicken. This method guarantees a glossy, crave-worthy finish every time.

Serving Suggestions That Impress

Serve your Chinese Beef and Broccoli over hot jasmine or brown rice, or toss with cooked noodles for a hearty, satisfying plate. Garnish with sesame seeds or sliced scallions for fresh flavor and appealing color. Pair with a light soup or crispy spring rolls for a full, comforting meal.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 4 generous servings. Each serving offers about 320 to 350 calories, with lean protein from the beef and a vitamin-rich boost from broccoli. By making it at home, you control sodium and oil, creating a healthier dinner alternative to standard takeout.

Chinese Beef and Broccoli (Recap)

With its easy preparation, unmistakable flavors, and reliable crowd appeal, Chinese Beef and Broccoli brings a taste of your favorite Chinese restaurant right to your own dinner table. It’s a winning dish for meal planners and busy cooks alike.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list sorted by store section—streamlining your grocery trip and making weekly meal planning a breeze.

Instructions

1. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar, beef broth (or water), and sesame oil until smooth. Set aside.
2. Blanch the Broccoli: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and cook for 1-2 minutes until bright and slightly tender. Drain and set aside.
3. Marinate and Cook the Beef: In a bowl, season sliced steak with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add steak in a single layer; sear for 1-2 minutes until just browned but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
4. Stir-fry the Aromatics: Add remaining oil to the pan. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
5. Combine and Finish: Add blanched broccoli and cooked steak back to the pan. Pour in the prepared sauce, tossing to coat all ingredients. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and everything is heated through.
6. Serve: Spoon Beef and Broccoli over steamed rice. Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, or chili flakes if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is an excellent addition to your weekly meal rotation—fast to prepare and easy to batch. Save and schedule this recipe in your meal planner to set your cooking days and instantly generate smart shopping lists that consolidate every ingredient from all your planned recipes.

Planning Benefits:

• Auto-calculates ingredient totals across all your meals
• Groups groceries by store department—minimizing aisle wandering
• Prevents double purchases and forgotten items
• Keeps weekly meal prep simple, organized, and time-saving

Pro tip: When you schedule your meals, CookifyAI calculates ingredient overlaps (like soy sauce appearing in multiple recipes) so you always buy exactly what you need—reducing waste and extra trips to the store.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

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Embrace the flavor and convenience of homemade Chinese Beef and Broccoli—and let smart meal planning make dinner even easier all week long!