Beef and broccoli stir fry with rice is a quick and easy dinner 30 minute dinner. Everything can be made in one skillet so it’s perfect for busy weeknights. This beef and broccoli stir fry is a family favorite.
Your family is going to love this recipe made with simple ingredients of beef strips, garlic, fresh ginger, soy sauce, broccoli and rice. It’s cheaper and healthier than take-out too!
WHAT TYPE OF BEEF SHOULD I USE FOR BEEF AND BROCCOLI STIR FRY?
For this recipe, you’ll be using flank steak. It’s less expensive than other cuts of beef, but must be watched while cooking to keep it tender.
The key to creating a simple delicious beef stir fry? Cut the flank steak against the grain of the meat, and cut into thin strips that are about 1/4 inch thick. These thin strips will make the beef cook faster – which is great for a quick and easy dinner – but it can also overcook easily if you’re not keeping an eye on it.
WHAT IS TAMARI SAUCE?
Instead of regular soy sauce, I buy both tamari sauce and coconut aminos to use in my dishes. Both of these can be substituted for any recipe that requires soy sauce. They also taste great on rice and quinoa. Tamari sauce is made from fermented soybeans (traditional soy sauce is made by soaking and roasting, not fermenting), and the coconut aminos is a soy-free sauce that’s also gluten-free and made from fermented coconut palm.
You can also use soy sauce for this recipe – I always recommend choosing one with less added salt.
HOW TO MAKE BEEF AND BROCCOLI STIR-FRY
The process of making your beef and broccoli stir fry is really easy. Here’s how you make it in a nutshell:
- Get your rice started – I use a rice cooker like this one.
- Chop up the broccoli, and cut the flank steak into thin slices.
- Cook the flank steak with garlic and fresh ginger. Once cooked, remove from the frying pan.
- Add the sauce and broccoli to the frying pan, cover with a lid and let steam for about 10 minutes. Poke with a fork to know when it’s done.
- Add the beef back to the pan and mix everything together. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Serve with rice and enjoy!
More 30 Minute Easy Dinner Ideas
- Sheet Pan Teriyaki Salmon with Roasted Broccoli and Sweet Potato – healthy and easy
- Lentil Tortilla Soup – delicious and a family favorite
- Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet – I have this recipe frequently on my meal planning schedule
- Hamburger Soup – a recipe that the whole family will enjoy
BEEF AND BROCCOLI STIR FRY TIPS
- To get thin slices that are 1/4” thick, place flank steak in freezer 30 minutes before cutting it. This will help to firm it up just enough so that it’s easier to cut.
- Cut the broccoli into smaller pieces so that it will cook faster. This makes it easier for you for busy weeknights.
- If you have a rice cooker, use it. Start the rice before you make the beef and broccoli so that it’s out of the way and will be ready for you at the end.
- You can also serve this dish over noodles, quinoa, buckwheat groats, or even cauliflower rice. This recipe is an easy go-to in my house so I tend to change up what I serve it with each time.
- Don’t be afraid to add more vegetables! You could add carrots, snap peas, cauliflower, beets, parsnips, kale, sweet potato and so much more.
- Cook once and eat twice: this dish tastes great as leftovers! Make a big batch and save the rest for dinner the following.
Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 lb flank steak - sliced ¼ inch thick
- 1 inch fresh ginger - minced
- 3 cups garlic - minced
- 3 cups broccoli florets - in small pieces
- 1 Tbsp and 2 tsp cornstarch
- ½ cup water - or beef broth
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce - or tamari sauce
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar - or coconut sugar
Instructions
- The first step is to cook the rice the same way you normally do. I use a rice cooker.
- Next, cut the flank steak against the grain into thin pieces, about 1/4 inch thick. Add 1 Tbsp of cornstarch to a bowl and toss all the beef strips with it.
- In a frying pan, over medium-high heat with cooking oil, cook the beef strips with garlic and fresh ginger, about 5-10 minutes. Once almost cooked, scoop into a bowl and set aside.
- Now add the broccoli and sauce ingredients to the frying pan. Give a quick stir and cover with a lid to let the broccoli steam. Check when the broccoli is tender by poking with a fork. This will take about 10 minutes depending on the size of broccoli pieces.
- Add the beef back to the frying pan and mix everything together. Cover with lid and let cook for another 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over top of fresh rice.
