Garlic Soy Beef Stir-Fry with Broccoli
A quick beef stir-fry featuring tender strips of beef and crisp broccoli tossed in a savory garlic soy sauce for an easy dinner. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs cornstarch, vegetable oil, broccoli florets 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2, sliced for garnish green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 2 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked, then remove to a plate.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the wok and toss in 3 cups broccoli florets, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender.
- Step 4: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger to the broccoli, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: Return the beef to the wok and pour in a sauce made by mixing 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 cup water, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Stir-fry everything together for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli.
- Step 6: Garnish with 2 sliced green onions and serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garlic Soy Beef Stir-Fry with Broccoli 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 Soy Beef Stir-Fry 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 cornstarch from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic Soy Beef Stir-Fry 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 Soy Beef Stir-Fry 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 Soy Beef Stir-Fry 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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