Quick Stir-Fried Beef and Broccoli with Garlic Soy Sauce

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

Tender strips of beef and crisp broccoli florets stir-fried in a savory garlic soy sauce for a fast, satisfying dinner. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs flank steak, broccoli florets, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

★ 4.4 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated; set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water; set the sauce aside.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add the coated beef strips to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove beef and set aside.
  5. Step 5: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the wok, then add 4 cups broccoli florets. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender.
  6. Step 6: Return the beef to the wok along with the soy-oyster sauce mixture. Stir everything together and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli.
  7. Step 7: Drizzle with 1 tsp sesame oil and sprinkle 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using for a mild kick. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried Beef and Broccoli with Garlic Soy 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 Quick Stir-Fried Beef and Broccoli with Garlic Soy 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 from drying out.

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

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