Quick Stir-Fried Beef and Broccoli with Sesame Soy Glaze

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

Tender strips of beef and crisp broccoli florets tossed in a savory sesame soy glaze, stir-fried in just minutes for a quick satisfying meal. This chinese-inspired instant pot (high protein) ready in about 20 minutes pairs flank steak, 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 3, 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: 10 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Whisk together 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 3 tbsp water in a small bowl until smooth; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same pan, add 3 cups broccoli florets and stir-fry for 3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Return the beef to the skillet and pour the soy sauce mixture over everything. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli evenly.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions before serving immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried Beef and Broccoli with Sesame Soy Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Sesame Soy Glaze?

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 Sesame Soy Glaze?

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 Sesame Soy Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Sesame Soy Glaze 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.

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