Quick Stir-Fried Beef and Broccoli with Garlic-Sesame Sauce

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

A fast and flavorful stir fry featuring tender beef strips and crisp broccoli florets coated in a savory garlic and sesame sauce. This Chinese-inspired stir-fry recipe (high protein), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs broccoli florets, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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 410 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1/4 cup water, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes until smooth and set aside.
  2. 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 stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove beef from skillet and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add the remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the skillet. Add 4 cups broccoli florets and 5 minced garlic cloves. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender.
  4. Step 4: Return the beef to the skillet and pour the sauce mixture over. Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli evenly.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed rice if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried Beef and Broccoli with Garlic-Sesame Sauce 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 Stir-Fried Beef and Broccoli with Garlic-Sesame 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 broccoli florets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Stir-Fried Beef and Broccoli with Garlic-Sesame 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 Quick Stir-Fried Beef and Broccoli with Garlic-Sesame 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.

Is Quick Stir-Fried Beef and Broccoli with Garlic-Sesame Sauce high protein?

Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes