This Homemade Easy Beef & Broccoli is better than take-out! Crispy, tender strips of beef and pan-seared broccoli are coated in a homemade sweet and umami sauce with amazing flavor.

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe

Beef and broccoli as we now know it originated in San Francisco in the 1920s. Broccoli had just been introduced to America by Italian immigrants and back in China, a popular beef stir fry dish used a vegetable called gai lin, which is kind of like a cross between broccolini and kale. Chinese immigrants were inspired to use broccoli to replace gai lin and invented what we now know as “beef and broccoli.”

(I love finding out how foods originate, especially diaspora foods like this that show how the interactions between different cultures can create something delicious.)

Today’s one-pan, 30-minute beef and broccoli stir fry features tender-crisp broccoli, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth strips of beef and a luscious homemade sauce that is the perfect balance of umami, savory, rich, salty and slightly sweet. (You can also add a kick of heat by adding some chili sauce or dried chile flakes, if desired.)

While beef and broccoli is traditional, you can swap out the broccoli for any crunchy vegetables – or even double the amount of veggies used for a filling meal without the need for side dishes. Carrots, snap peas, cauliflower, asparagus, bell peppers, cabbage, etc, all work in this recipe.

However, don’t be tempted to replace the garlic and ginger with other aromatics. These two ingredients are essential for creating the right flavor profile for the beef and broccoli (along with the soy sauce and sesame oil). The hit of lime isn’t traditional but it brightens up the recipe beautifully.

Is beef and broccoli gluten-free? Our beef and broccoli stir fry is not gluten-free as written, but it can be made gluten-free by swapping out the soy sauce for tamari, which is gluten-free and will impart the same flavor. (Some people like coconut aminos as a soy sauce swap, but I personally find that it’s not as flavorful.)

What is the best type of beef for beef and broccoli? Often your grocery store will already have beef strips available, but they are usually more expensive per pound than if you were to buy steak and slice it yourself. The best beef options for beef and broccoli are flank steak/skirt steak, top sirloin, or top round steak. For easy slicing, freeze the beef for 30 minutes before cutting. Be sure to slice the beef strips against the grain of the beef.

How do I ensure my beef stir fry is tender? The soy sauce and cornstarch in this recipe helps break down the proteins in the beef to make for tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef strips – so the marinade really does most of the work for you! For your part, make sure that you don’t crowd the pan with too many beef strips, keeping them in a single layer with a bit of space in between each strips (at least 1/2″). Overcrowding the pan will cause the beef to steam and braise, becoming tough and chewy.

The sauce/marinade mixture can be made in advanced and stored in the fridge for up to two weeks. If it separates a bit, just shake or whisk it up before using as directed.

Leftover beef and broccoli can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen in an airtight freezer container for up to 3 months. (This set of freezer containers is a crazy bargain.)

Ingredients for Beef and Broccoli

Sauce Ingredients:

• Brown Sugar
• Ginger, grated
• Garlic Cloves, grated
• Soy Sauce
• Cornstarch, or more as needed
• Pepper, or to taste
• Sesame Seed Oil
• Beef Broth
• Lime Juice, to taste

For the Beef and Broccoli:

• Cooking Oil, divided <– I like using peanut oil for it’s neutral flavors and high smoke point
• Beef Strips
• Broccoli, florets chopped off
• Sesame Seeds, optional garnish

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: freeze the beef for 30 minutes before slicing and slice against the grain for easy slicing.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Medium-sized Bowl
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Sharp Kitchen Knife
• Cutting Board
• Cast Iron Skillet <– I love the versatility of a good cast-iron pan – you can make everything from eggs to dessert in them and they transition easily from the stove to the oven. This one is pre-seasoned and great for even heating
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula <– I like these spatulas because they are one solid piece and don’t have removable heads for bacteria to get trapped underneath. Plus they are heat-resistant and have a lifetime warranty.

How to Make Beef and Broccoli

Stir together all sauce ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Taste and adjust to personal preference. Set aside.

Place 2 Tablespoons of oil in a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat.

Add the chopped broccoli and saute until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Remove from skillet.

Add remaining oil to the skillet and once hot, add the beef strips. Cook until beef is evenly browned and reaches an internal temperature of at least 135F (will continue to cook in the sauce).

Add the broccoli back to the skillet and pour in the sauce.

Cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes until sauce is thickened.

Serve over noodles or rice, with a garnish of sesame seeds.

Pin this Easy Beef and Broccoli Recipe for the next time a take-out craving hits:

Grab your free printable recipe card for our easy beef and broccoli stir fry recipe:

I hope your family loves this easy beef and broccoli stir fry as much as my family does!

For more ways to serve beef, check out our full beef recipe collection here: