High-Protein Beef Stir Fry with Broccoli and Cashew Nuts
A quick and nourishing beef stir fry combining tender strips of beef with crisp broccoli florets and crunchy cashews in a savory garlic-ginger sauce. This asian-inspired beef (high protein, gluten free option) ready in about 25 minutes pairs raw or roasted unsalted cashew nuts, sesame oil, low sodium soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 3 cups, cut into bite-sized pieces broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup, raw or roasted unsalted cashew nuts
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 tbsp, low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 stalks, sliced thin for garnish green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water until smooth; set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp more sesame oil if needed, then toss in 3 cups broccoli florets and cook for 4-5 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
- Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger to the broccoli, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: Return the cooked beef to the skillet along with 1/2 cup cashew nuts. Pour the prepared soy sauce mixture over everything and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the ingredients.
- Step 6: Garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving immediately over steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does High-Protein Beef Stir Fry with Broccoli and Cashew Nuts 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 High-Protein Beef Stir Fry with Broccoli and Cashew Nuts?
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 sesame oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in High-Protein Beef Stir Fry with Broccoli and Cashew Nuts?
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 High-Protein Beef Stir Fry with Broccoli and Cashew Nuts 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.
Is High-Protein Beef Stir Fry with Broccoli and Cashew Nuts high protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein, gluten free option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.