If you’re craving a classic takeout-style dinner that’s easy, flavorful, and ready in minutes, this Chinese Beef and Broccoli recipe delivers every single time. Tender slices of beef, crisp-tender broccoli, and a rich, savory beef and broccoli sauce come together to create a dish that feels both comforting and fresh. Whether you’re making a quick beef and broccoli stir-fry, a simple version for lazy dinners, or wanting satisfying homemade comfort food recipes, this dish is the perfect option for fast, delicious meals any night of the week.
Below is a full roadmap to guide your readers from ingredients to serving, plus added tips to help them customize their perfect broccoli beef recipe.
🧭 Roadmap: What You’ll Find in This Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Chinese Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients You Need
How to Make the Best Beef and Broccoli Sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions
Variations: Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli + More Ideas
Serving Suggestions
Storage Tips
Common Questions
Chinese Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
- For the Beef
- 1 lb flank steak or sirloin thinly sliced
- 1 ½ tbsp cornstarch
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp oil vegetable or sesame
- For the Broccoli
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- ¼ cup water or broth for steaming
- Beef & Broccoli Sauce
- ½ cup soy sauce or low-sodium
- 3 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce optional for extra flavor
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water slurry
Instructions
- Prep the Beef
- In a bowl, toss sliced beef with cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Set aside to marinate for 5 minutes while preparing sauce.
- Make the Sauce
- In another bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, oyster sauce (optional), and sesame oil.
- Set aside.
- Cook the Broccoli
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet or wok.
- Add broccoli and ¼ cup water; steam for 2–3 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender.
- Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sear the Beef
- Add remaining oil to the skillet.
- Cook the beef in batches on high heat for 2–3 minutes until browned.
- Return all beef to the pan.
- Add Sauce & Thicken
- Pour the sauce mixture over the beef.
- Stir and bring to a simmer.
- Add cornstarch slurry and continue stirring until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Combine & Serve
- Add the cooked broccoli back into the skillet.
- Toss until everything is coated in sauce.
- Serve immediately over rice or noodles.
Notes
1. Why You’ll Love This Chinese Beef and Broccoli
This dish is everything home cooks want: fast, healthy, and bursting with flavor. Unlike takeout versions that can be overly salty or oily, this homemade version uses clean ingredients while still giving you that irresistible restaurant-style taste.
Here’s why this recipe is perfect for your weekly recipes for dinner:
Quick & easy: Ready in 20 minutes from start to finish.
Healthy: Packed with protein and fresh veggies.
Budget-friendly: Uses everyday ingredients you already have.
Customizable: Make it stovetop, slow cooker, spicy, or even gluten-free.
Crowd-pleasing: Loved by kids and adults.
It checks all the boxes for anyone who loves simple homemade cooking without sacrificing flavor.
2. Ingredients You Need
To make traditional Chinese Beef and Broccoli, you need:
For the Beef
Thinly sliced flank steak or sirloin
Salt & pepper
Cornstarch (for tenderizing and thickening)
For the Broccoli
Fresh broccoli florets
Water or broth for steaming
For the Beef and Broccoli Sauce
The soul of this dish lies in its glossy, flavorful sauce. Here’s what makes it perfect:
Soy sauce or low-sodium soy sauce
Brown sugar or honey
Fresh garlic
Fresh ginger
Sesame oil
Cornstarch + water slurry
Optional: Oyster sauce for extra depth
This combination creates a thick, savory-sweet sauce that clings beautifully to the beef.
3. How to Make the Best Beef and Broccoli Sauce
If you want that signature takeout-style flavor, the key is balance:
Saltiness: soy sauce
Sweetness: brown sugar
Aromatic depth: garlic + ginger
Umami richness: oyster sauce
Thickness: cornstarch
Whisk everything together until smooth. This sauce only needs a few minutes in the pan to thicken into a glossy, restaurant-worthy consistency.
4. Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Velvet the Beef
Coat the sliced beef lightly in cornstarch. This isn’t just for thickening—it creates a soft, tender texture that feels silky once cooked.
Step 2 – Sear the Meat
Heat oil in a skillet or wok. Cook beef in small batches to keep it browned and juicy.
Step 3 – Cook the Broccoli
Steam or sauté the broccoli just until crisp-tender. Overcooking will make it mushy.
Step 4 – Combine Everything
Pour in the prepared beef and broccoli sauce, add the cooked beef, and stir until the sauce thickens.
Step 5 – Serve
Spoon over rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice for a balanced and satisfying dinner.
This makes it perfect for fast meals, especially on busy weeknights.
5. Variations & Customizations
⭐ Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
For hands-off lazy dinners, you can make this in the slow cooker.
Add sliced beef, broccoli, and sauce ingredients (minus cornstarch).
Cook on LOW for 4 hours.
Stir in cornstarch slurry 20 minutes before serving.
⭐ Spicy Version
Add red pepper flakes or sriracha for heat.
⭐ Vegetable Boost
Try bell peppers, snow peas, mushrooms, or carrots.
⭐ Gluten-Free
Use tamari instead of soy sauce.
6. What to Serve With Beef and Broccoli
This recipe goes perfectly with:
Steamed Jasmine or Basmati rice
Noodles
Fried rice
Cauliflower rice
Garlic sesame noodles
It’s one of the best weeknight comfort food recipes because it’s filling, cozy, and family-approved.
7. How to Store & Reheat
Fridge: 3–4 days
Freezer: Up to 2 months
Reheat: In a skillet for best texture (add a splash of water if the sauce is too thick)
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes! Keep it frozen until cooking. Add during the last few minutes to avoid overcooking.
Q: What’s the best cut of beef?
Flank steak is traditional, but sirloin, skirt steak, or even thin-cut ribeye work well.
Q: Can I double the sauce?
Absolutely—many readers prefer extra sauce for serving over rice.
Final Thoughts
This Chinese Beef and Broccoli recipe is the kind of dish you’ll make over and over again. It’s simple, fresh, and flavorful, making it ideal for anyone searching for fast recipes for dinner, satisfying comfort food, or easy cooking that tastes like takeout but feels homemade. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this dish truly earns its spot as a weeknight favorite.
