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A close-up shot of a delicious beef and broccoli stir fry served with white rice in a rustic, earth-toned bowl.

Savory Stir-Fried Chinese Beef and Broccoli

Enjoy a quick and delicious weeknight dinner featuring tender, marinated beef slices and crisp-tender broccoli florets bathed in a rich, savory garlic-ginger sauce. This classic Chinese-American dish is a family favorite.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Marinade
  • 1 lb Flank steak thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1 tbsp Soy sauce
  • 1 tsp Rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch
  • 1 tsp Sesame oil
  • 1/4 tsp Baking soda
For the Stir-Fry
  • 4 cups Broccoli florets about 1 large head, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp Vegetable oil or peanut oil, divided
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp Fresh ginger grated
For the Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Chicken broth low sodium
  • 2 tbsp Soy sauce low sodium
  • 1 tbsp Oyster sauce optional, but recommended for depth of flavor
  • 1 tbsp Brown sugar packed
  • 1 tsp Rice vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp Sesame oil toasted
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch
For Serving
  • Cooked white rice

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Wok or Large Skillet

Method
 

Prepare the Beef
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp baking soda. Mix well to coat the beef evenly. Let it marinate at room temperature for at least 15-20 minutes while you prepare other ingredients.
Prepare the Broccoli
  1. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and blanch for 2-3 minutes, or until tender-crisp and bright green. Alternatively, steam the broccoli. Drain well and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, 2 tbsp soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), brown sugar, 1 tsp rice vinegar, 1/2 tsp sesame oil, and 1 tbsp cornstarch until smooth and no lumps remain. Set aside.
Stir-Fry the Beef and Broccoli
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add half of the marinated beef in a single layer (do not overcrowd the pan). Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the cooked beef to a clean plate. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and cook the rest of the beef, then remove and set aside with the first batch.
  2. Reduce heat to medium-high. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the wok (add a tiny bit more oil if the pan is dry). Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the blanched broccoli to the wok. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes to heat through and coat with the aromatics.
  4. Give the prepared sauce a quick re-whisk. Pour the sauce into the wok. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, about 1-2 minutes.
  5. Return the cooked beef to the wok. Toss everything gently to coat the beef and broccoli evenly with the thickened sauce.
Serve
  1. Serve immediately over hot steamed white rice. Garnish with sesame seeds or red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

For best results, slice the flank steak very thinly against the grain. Freezing the beef for 15-20 minutes before slicing can make this easier. Avoid overcrowding the wok when cooking the beef; cook in batches to ensure it browns nicely instead of steaming. Adjust the amount of brown sugar or soy sauce to taste. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic and ginger.