Chinese broccoli beef — sometimes just called broccoli and beef — is one of those classic stir-fry dishes I always come back to. You’ve probably seen it piled high on buffet tables or tucked into white takeout boxes at your favorite Chinese restaurant. The good news is, it’s incredibly easy to make at home, and you don’t need a long list of ingredients to get that familiar, savory flavor.
Technique
I start by slicing the steak thin against the grain, which keeps it tender and quick-cooking. The beef gets a short marinade in soy sauce and sherry, just enough time to soak up flavor without overthinking it. Once that’s done, everything moves fast. A hot pan, a little oil, and the beef goes in with garlic and ginger, sizzling and browning in just a couple of minutes.
After the steak is cooked, the broccoli only needs a brief stir-fry to turn bright green and crisp-tender. That’s really all there is to it. I know some recipes add oyster sauce or chicken broth, but I like keeping this version simple. The combination of soy sauce, aromatics, and beef juices creates a sauce that’s savory, balanced, and satisfying without being heavy.
Substitutions and sides
If you want to lean more traditional, try using Chinese broccoli instead of regular broccoli—it has a slightly bitter edge that works beautifully with the rich beef. You could also swap in a different veggie if you don’t like broccoli.
I usually serve this over steamed white rice, but it’s also great alongside Chinese fried rice if you’re making a bigger meal. Simple, fast, and full of flavor—this is one of those dishes that proves homemade stir-fry can be just as good as takeout.
Read next: How to stir-fry: Ingredients and recipes for fast, fresh, and healthy meals
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Chinese Broccoli Beef Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marinade Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 bunch fresh broccoli, sliced into florets
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 slices fresh ginger, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Slice and marinate the steak
Thinly slice the steak against the grain into strips and place it in a bowl or sealable bag. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, dry sherry, and cornstarch until smooth. Pour the marinade over the steak, toss to coat, and let it marinate for 15 to 30 minutes. - Stir-fry the aromatics and beef
Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the oil, then add the minced garlic and ginger and stir-fry for about 20 seconds, just until fragrant. Add the beef and stir-fry, stirring constantly, for a couple of minutes until the steak is mostly cooked through. - Add the broccoli and finish
Add the broccoli to the wok and continue stir-frying for about 5 minutes, until the broccoli is tender but still crisp and a deep green. Serve immediately, preferably with steamed rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 630
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 1979
- Fat: 33
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 20
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 67
- Cholesterol: 179