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Beef and broccoli stir fry in a cast iron skillet with thick savory sauce and sesame seed garnish

Beef and Broccoli

Tender sliced steak and crisp broccoli coated in a thick savory ginger garlic sauce. This easy stir fry comes together in 30 minutes and tastes better than takeout.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 364
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp water
  • 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger minced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil divided
  • 1 lb broccoli chopped into small bite-size florets about 4 to 5 cups
  • 1.25 lbs flank steak, NY strip steak, sirloin or skirt steak thinly sliced against the grain into bite-size strips
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 4 green onions white and light green parts only, chopped
  • cooked white or brown rice for serving
  • sesame seeds optional garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet or wok
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl including the water, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, cornstarch and red pepper flakes. Whisk until smooth and fully combined. Set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and cook stirring often for 3 to 4 minutes until just crisp-tender. Transfer to a clean bowl and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium if the pan looks too hot. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the sliced beef in a single layer and sprinkle with black pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes flipping occasionally until browned on both sides.
  4. Add the broccoli back to the pan. Whisk the sauce to recombine then pour into the skillet. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything evenly.
  5. Stir in the green onions and remove from heat. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve immediately over cooked rice.

Notes

Gluten-free option: swap soy sauce for gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. Always slice beef thin and against the grain for the most tender result. Best served fresh. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.