Pan-Seared Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Ginger Sauce
Tender strips of beef and crisp broccoli florets tossed in a fragrant ginger soy sauce, perfect for a quick and nutritious weeknight meal. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 30 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 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the steak slices and sear for 3-4 minutes until browned but slightly pink inside. Remove steak and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Add 4 cups broccoli florets and stir-fry for 5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Step 4: Add 2 tbsp minced fresh ginger and 3 minced garlic cloves to the broccoli. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 cup water, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Pour sauce into skillet and bring to a simmer.
- Step 6: Return the cooked beef to the skillet and toss everything together. Cook for 2 more minutes until sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Ginger Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Pan-Seared Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Ginger Sauce?
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 Pan-Seared Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Ginger Sauce?
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 Pan-Seared Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Ginger Sauce 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 Pan-Seared Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Ginger Sauce?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great for impressing guests—simple yet flavorful.
- ★★★★★
My family devoured this—beef was tender and broccoli stayed crisp.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.