Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

This 20 Minute beef and broccoli stir fry is the perfect take-out style dinner! Tender steak coated in a savory stir fry sauce with bits of broccoli and red pepper for some crunch, serve it over jasmine rice for the ultimate bite. It’s guaranteed to be a repeat dinner recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

Weeknight dinners when you’re craving Asian food just got a whole lot saucier and wholesome.

• Better than take-out. It’s loaded with beef and not just broccoli. You can even double up on sauce.
• Fresh. You know exactly what’s in it and when it was made.
• Great for meal-prep. Whisk the sauce and chop the ingredients in advance so you can just throw everything into the skillet.
• Quick. This dish is ready faster than you could drive to and from your favorite take-out place.

What You’ll Need

Mustard is the secret ingredient for balancing the sauce’s savoriness. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact ingredient amounts.

For the Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

• Flank steak – Swap it for skirt steak, sirloin, or New York strip steak.
• Arrowroot – Cornstarch and flour are good swaps.
• Grape seed oil – You can use vegetable, corn, and peanut oil instead.
• Brown rice noodles – Feel free to use regular rice noodles.
• Broccoli – Use fresh or frozen (thawed).
• Red pepper – Any color of bell pepper works.
• Garlic – Go for garlic powder or paste if you prefer.

For the Sweet and Spicy Sauce

• Tamari sauce – Feel free to use low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos.
• Water – Veggie or beef stock are great.
• Ground ginger – Fresh ginger is an amazing swap.
• Spicy mustard – Avoid American yellow mustard for this. It must be spicy, stone-ground mustard.
• Honey – Raw honey and agave nectar are best.
• Red pepper flakes – Cayenne pepper works too.
• Arrowroot – You can use cornstarch instead.
• Sesame seeds and sliced green onions – These are optional garnishes.

How to Make Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Letting the sauce thicken is the most important step for a saucy, savory beef and broccoli stir fry. Scroll to the bottom of the post for more detailed instructions.

• Coat the meat. Place the steak and arrowroot in a large Ziploc bag. Shake well until completely coated. Refrigerate it until ready to use.
• Cook the noodles. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the rice noodles and cook them according to package instructions. Remove them from the heat. Drain them and rinse with cold water immediately. Set them aside. Toss them with 1-2 teaspoons sesame oil if you’re not using them right away to prevent sticking.
• Brown the beef. Add the oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and let it cook for 3-4 minutes, until slightly browned. Remove it from the heat and set it aside on a plate.

• Sautée the veggies. Stir the broccoli, pepper, and garlic into the skillet. Cook everything for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Make the sauce. Whisk the sauce ingredients in a bowl until well combined. There shouldn’t be any lumps of arrowroot in the mixture.
• Mix everything. Return the beef to the skillet. Pour in the sauce and mix well. Cover the skillet for 2-3 minutes. Remove it from the heat once the sauce is thickened.
• Serve. Divide the noodles into serving plates. Add the stir fry on top. Sprinkle it with sesame seeds and green onions to taste. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

This easy beef and broccoli stir fry has lots of variations to keep you away from take-out for a while.

• Ask the butcher. Save prep prep time by asking the butcher to slice the beef for you.
• Add more veggies. Add 1 cup chopped baby corn, cauliflower florets, red onion, baby spinach, or mushrooms into the pan with the red peppers and cook them until tender.
• Double the sauce. Double the ingredients for the sauce and mix it in as usual if you like saucy stir fries. You can also refrigerate the second batch for later in the week.
• Swap the protein. Use chicken, pork, shrimp, or extra-firm tofu instead of beef for an easy variation.
• Don’t over-cook them. Set a kitchen timer or just watch the stove very carefully so you don’t over-cook the noodles. If they soften too much, they’ll break when you mix them with the veggies and sauce.
• Make it spicy. Stir in 1/4-1/2 teaspoon chili oil or 1/4 sliced red Thai chili for a kick of heat.
• Thin-out the sauce. If the sauce is too thick for your liking, stir in 1 tablespoon water at a time until you’re happy with the consistency.

Serving Suggestions

This beef and broccoli stir fry is perfect with a side of Jasmine Rice or Cauliflower Chicken Fried Rice. A bed of Asian Noodle Salad is great too. If you’re looking for side ideas, go for my Fresh Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce. My Easy Asian Cucumber Salad is a 10-minute side option.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

Make sure it’s fully cooled before storing.

• Fridge: Store it in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Transfer it to freezer-friendly bags or containers in serving-size portions. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight or reheat it straight from frozen.
• To reheat it: Microwave it for 30 seconds, stir, and microwave it again until warm. If frozen, microwave it for 2 minutes and then place it in a pan over medium-high heat for 8-9 minutes or until hot.

More Beef Recipes To Try

• Slow Cooker Balsamic Braised Beef Short Ribs
• Easy Hunan Beef
• Moroccan Ground Beef Kofta Kebab
• Easy Instant Pot Korean Beef Bowl

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