Stir-Fried Sesame Beef with Broccoli and Ginger

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

A quick stir-fry featuring tender beef slices, crisp broccoli, and a fragrant ginger-sesame sauce that packs a savory punch. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 27 minutes pairs flank steak, broccoli florets, fresh ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

★ 4.5 (8 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add the beef in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes without stirring until browned, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until just cooked through. Remove beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same wok, add 3 cups broccoli florets and 2 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Return the beef to the wok.
  5. Step 5: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Pour this sauce over the beef and broccoli, stirring to combine. Cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats all ingredients.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Sesame Beef with Broccoli and Ginger take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Sesame Beef with Broccoli and Ginger?

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 Sesame Beef with Broccoli and Ginger?

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 Sesame Beef with Broccoli and Ginger 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 Sesame Beef with Broccoli and Ginger?

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.

What others are saying