Quick Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Broccoli
Tender strips of beef quickly seared with garlic and crisp broccoli in a savory soy-ginger sauce for a fast, healthy dinner. This asian-inspired beef 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 350 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 flank steak, thinly sliced
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 1/4 cup water until smooth; set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and sear for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove steak from pan and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 4 cups broccoli florets and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until bright green and just tender.
- Step 5: Return the beef to the skillet and pour in the soy sauce mixture. Stir constantly for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and beef is cooked through.
- Step 6: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the stir-fry, toss to combine, and garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Beef Stir-Fry 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 Quick Beef Stir-Fry 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 Quick Beef Stir-Fry 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 Quick Beef Stir-Fry 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 Quick Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Broccoli?
Asian 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.