Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Broccoli in Black Bean Sauce

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

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Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with crisp broccoli and bold black bean sauce for a fast and savory Asian-inspired dinner. This Chinese-inspired beef recipe, 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 420 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: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 420 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: Mix together 2 tbsp fermented black bean paste, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1/4 cup water, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp minced ginger in a small bowl to make the sauce.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering.
  4. Step 4: Add the coated beef strips in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked; remove beef from pan and set aside.
  5. Step 5: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the pan, then add 4 cups broccoli florets and 4 minced garlic cloves, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp.
  6. Step 6: Return beef to the pan and pour the prepared sauce over the mixture.
  7. Step 7: Stir-fry everything together for 2-3 minutes until the beef is cooked through and the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients.
  8. Step 8: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving immediately over steamed rice if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Broccoli in Black Bean Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 with Garlic and Broccoli in Black Bean 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 with Garlic and Broccoli in Black Bean 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 Garlic and Broccoli in Black Bean 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 with Garlic and Broccoli in Black Bean 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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