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Chinese Beef and Broccoli

Chinese Beef and Broccoli
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Chinese Beef and Broccoli is a quick and easy stir-fry that brings tender thinly sliced flank steak and crisp broccoli together in a savory, slightly sweet sauce rich with umami flavors. Perfect for busy weeknights, this authentic Chinese-inspired dish is made with simple pantry ingredients and can be customized to suit various dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 8 oz flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for stir-frying)

Marinade/Coating

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp vegetable oil

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1.5 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/4 cup beef broth or water
  • 1 tsp cornstarch (for thickening)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Beef: Slice the flank steak thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness. Toss the beef slices with cornstarch, soy sauce, and a dash of vegetable oil to tenderize and coat the meat evenly. Let it marinate while preparing other ingredients.
  2. Blanch the Broccoli: Bring a pot of boiling water to a rapid boil. Briefly blanch the broccoli florets for 1-2 minutes to keep them crisp and vibrant. Drain and immediately rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
  3. Make the Sauce: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, beef broth, and cornstarch until smooth. This sauce will coat the beef and broccoli with a glossy finish.
  4. Stir-Fry the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the marinated beef in batches and stir-fry quickly until browned yet tender inside. Remove beef and set aside to avoid overcooking.
  5. Cook the Broccoli with Sauce: In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed and toss in the blanched broccoli. Pour the sauce over and stir frequently until the sauce thickens slightly and broccoli is well coated.
  6. Combine and Finish: Return the cooked beef to the pan with broccoli and sauce. Toss everything together for about a minute to reheat and blend flavors. Remove from heat and serve.

Notes

  • Slice beef thinly against the grain for tenderness.
  • Use a hot wok or skillet for quick searing and locking in flavors.
  • Brief blanching of broccoli keeps it crisp and vibrant green.
  • Fresh garlic and ginger provide the best aromatic flavor.
  • Adjust cornstarch amount to get desired sauce thickness.
  • For garnishes, sprinkle sliced green onions or toasted sesame seeds and drizzle toasted sesame oil before serving.
  • Serve with steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, noodles, or a light cucumber salad.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the fridge up to 3 days or frozen for 1-2 months.
  • Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef broccoli stir-fry, Chinese beef recipe, quick dinner, healthy stir-fry, easy weeknight meal, gluten-free Chinese food

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/chinese-beef-and-broccoli/