Garlic-Black Pepper Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A peppery beef and broccoli stir-fry with bold garlic and cracked black pepper flavors, cooked quickly for a satisfying meal. This chinese-inspired chinese ready in about 25 minutes pairs thinly sliced top round beef, broccoli florets, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 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.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 290 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until hot. Add 12 oz thinly sliced top round beef and stir-fry for 3 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove beef and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil, then 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 1/2 cups broccoli florets and 1/4 cup beef broth, cover, and steam for 3 minutes until broccoli is bright green and slightly tender.
  4. Step 4: Return beef to the wok; stir in 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/2 tsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp cracked black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Add cornstarch slurry of 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water; stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats beef and broccoli.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat, drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil, toss gently, and serve immediately with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic-Black Pepper 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 Garlic-Black Pepper 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 thinly sliced top round beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic-Black Pepper 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 Garlic-Black Pepper 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 Garlic-Black Pepper Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry?

Chinese chinese 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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