Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli and Garlic Sauce

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

A fast and flavorful stir fry combining tender beef strips and crisp broccoli florets in a savory garlic soy sauce. This Chinese-inspired stir-fry recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs flank steak, broccoli florets, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 15 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1/4 cup water, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Set the sauce aside.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the beef in a single layer and sear for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned but not fully cooked. Remove beef and set aside.
  4. Step 4: Add the remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the pan and toss in 5 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Add 4 cups broccoli florets and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
  6. Step 6: Return the beef to the pan and pour in the prepared sauce. Stir well and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli.
  7. Step 7: Remove from heat, garnish with 2 sliced green onions, and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli and Garlic 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 with Broccoli and Garlic 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 with Broccoli and Garlic 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 with Broccoli and Garlic Sauce 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.

What goes well with Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli and Garlic Sauce?

Chinese stir fry 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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