Stir-Fried Spicy Beef and Broccoli with Garlic Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A savory and spicy stir-fry featuring tender strips of beef and crisp broccoli florets coated in a flavorful garlic-chili sauce, ready in under 30 minutes. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs (about 10 oz) broccoli florets, minced garlic cloves, minced ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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 tbsp chili garlic sauce, 1/4 cup water, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Set sauce aside.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the beef slices in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove beef and set aside.
  4. Step 4: In the same wok, add 3 cups broccoli florets and stir-fry for 3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
  5. Step 5: Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger to the broccoli and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Step 6: Return beef to the wok and pour the prepared sauce over the mixture. Stir-fry everything together for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli evenly.
  7. Step 7: Remove from heat, garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Spicy Beef and Broccoli with 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 Stir-Fried Spicy Beef and Broccoli with 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 minced garlic cloves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Spicy Beef and Broccoli with 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 Spicy Beef and Broccoli with 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 Stir-Fried Spicy Beef and Broccoli with 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.

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