Five-Ingredient Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
A simple and speedy stir fry combining tender beef strips and crisp broccoli in a savory soy-ginger sauce. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs broccoli florets, soy sauce, minced fresh ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until just browned but still tender; remove steak from pan and set aside.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil, then 4 cups broccoli florets to the hot pan. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until broccoli turns bright green and is crisp-tender.
- Step 4: Return the cooked beef to the pan along with 1/4 cup soy sauce and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, stirring constantly to coat everything evenly.
- Step 5: Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef and broccoli; remove from heat and serve immediately over rice if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Five-Ingredient Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Five-Ingredient Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep broccoli florets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Five-Ingredient Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Five-Ingredient Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Five-Ingredient Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry?
Chinese beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
