Garlic and Ginger Stir-Fried Broccoli with Sesame Seeds

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

A vibrant stir-fry of crisp-tender broccoli infused with aromatic garlic and ginger, finished with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty crunch. This asian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 18 minutes pairs (about 1 large head) broccoli florets, garlic cloves, thinly sliced, fresh ginger, julienned for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 3, 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: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 3 Asian cuisine 120 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp julienned fresh ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 cups broccoli florets and 1/4 tsp salt to the pan. Stir-fry for 5-6 minutes, tossing frequently until broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp sesame oil, stirring continuously for 1 minute until the sauce coats the broccoli evenly and is heated through.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes over the broccoli. Toss gently and serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic and Ginger Stir-Fried Broccoli with Sesame Seeds take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 Ginger Stir-Fried Broccoli with Sesame Seeds?

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 garlic cloves, thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic and Ginger Stir-Fried Broccoli with Sesame Seeds?

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 Ginger Stir-Fried Broccoli with Sesame Seeds for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Ginger Stir-Fried Broccoli with Sesame Seeds?

Asian vegetarian 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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