Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli and Black Bean Garlic Sauce
A savory stir-fry featuring tender beef strips and crisp broccoli florets coated in a fragrant black bean and garlic sauce for a classic Chinese-inspired dish. This Chinese-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 30 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 380 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced across the grain flank steak
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp, rinsed and mashed fermented black beans
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced ginger
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp, dissolved in 2 tbsp water cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2, sliced thinly for garnish scallions
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 cups broccoli florets and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Remove broccoli and set aside.
- Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the wok. Add 1 tbsp mashed fermented black beans, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced ginger; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until beef is browned but still tender.
- Step 4: Pour in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Stir to combine and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Step 5: Return broccoli to the wok and pour the 1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp water mixture. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli, about 1 minute.
- Step 6: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil and toss gently. Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced scallions. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli and Black Bean Garlic 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli and Black Bean 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli and Black Bean 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli and Black Bean Garlic 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli and Black Bean Garlic 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.
