Instant Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Broccoli

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

A fast and savory stir-fry with tender beef strips, crisp broccoli, and a fragrant garlic soy sauce, perfect for a weeknight dinner. This chinese-inspired instant pot ready in about 25 minutes pairs flank steak, thinly sliced, broccoli florets, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 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: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 370 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tsp cornstarch and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a bowl until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add the beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the wok, then add 5 minced garlic cloves. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 cups broccoli florets to the wok and stir-fry for 4 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender.
  5. Step 5: In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Pour the sauce mixture into the wok and bring to a simmer.
  6. Step 6: Return the cooked beef to the wok, tossing everything together to coat in the sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and clings to the beef and broccoli.
  7. Step 7: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the stir-fry, give a final toss, and serve immediately with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Instant Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and 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 Instant Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and 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 flank steak, thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and 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 Instant Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and 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 Instant Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Broccoli?

Chinese instant pot 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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