Garlic and Chili Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick stir-fry combining tender beef strips with crisp broccoli, garlic, and chili for a savory, mildly spicy dinner. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs broccoli florets, thinly sliced garlic cloves, red chili flakes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until evenly coated; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until just smoking, about 2 minutes. Add the steak slices in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but slightly pink inside. Remove beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the pan, then add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 cups broccoli florets and 1/4 cup water, cover and steam-fry for 3 minutes until broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp.
  5. Step 5: Return the beef to the pan along with 3 tbsp soy sauce and 2 tbsp oyster sauce. Stir-fry all together for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli.
  6. Step 6: Finish with 1 tsp sesame oil, toss well, and serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic and Chili Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Garlic and Chili Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli?

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 Garlic and Chili Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli?

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 Garlic and Chili Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli 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 Garlic and Chili Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli?

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.

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