I was starving and wanted to make a quick dinner tonight, but I hadn’t done any grocery shopping and didn’t have much to work with. Luckily, I found some beef in the freezer and a bit of broccoli in the fridge — just enough to whip up this easy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry. It’s a super simple dish that comes together in about 20 minutes with a basic garlic soy sauce made from pantry staples. The beef turns out tender, the broccoli stays crisp, and the whole thing tastes like something you’d order from your favorite Chinese restaurant. Perfect for busy nights, lazy days, or when your fridge is nearly empty but you still want a delicious homemade meal.

Chinese Beef and Broccoli dish - Chinese-style Beef and Broccoli is a classic stir-fry dish known for its bold flavors, tender beef slices, and vibrant green broccoli. The beef is typically marinated and quickly stir-fried to keep it juicy and tender, while the broccoli is either blanched or stir-fried until just crisp-tender. The two are then coated in a savory, umami-rich sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and sometimes a touch of sesame oil, sugar, or cornstarch for thickness. The dish is quick to make, incredibly satisfying, and often served over steamed rice or noodles. It’s a staple in Chinese restaurants around the world and a go-to comfort meal that’s both nutritious and full of flavor.

INGREDIENT LIST

BEEF MARINADE

Beef - 450g

Soy Sauce – 1 tbsp

Sugar – ½ tbsp

Shaoxing Wine – ½ tbsp

Cornstarch – 1 tbsp

Baking Soda - ½ tsp

Sesame Oil – 1 tbsp

STIR FRY SAUCE

Chicken stock – ½ cup

Soy Sauce – ½ tbsp (dependingo on saltiness of the chicken stock)

Oyster Sauce – 1 tbsp

Sugar – ½ tbsp

Shaoxing Wine – ½ tbsp

Cornstarch – 1 tbsp

OTHER

Broccoli - 250g

Garlic - 5 cloves

Grated Ginger - 1 tsp

Marinating the beef ahead of the cooking process

INSTRUCTIONS

1. PREPARE THE INGREDIENTS

Gate some ginger (1 tsp)
mince 5 cloves of garlic

2. PREPARE THE STIR-FRY SAUCE

In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of chicken broth, 1/2 tablespoon of soy sauce (depending on the saltiness of the chicken stock), 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, 1/2 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
Mix everything together until well combined. Set the sauce aside for later.

3. PREPARE THE BEEF

Slice 250g of rump steak into thin strips, cutting against the grain to keep the meat tender. I’m using rump steak because it was on sale at my local supermarket, but you can use any cut of beef — just be sure to tenderise it with a bit of baking soda and cornstarch.
To marinate, add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, 1/2 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and mix well. Then coat with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and leave it aside.

4. PREPARE THE BROCCOLI

Cut 250g of broccoli into bite-sized pieces, including the stems, which are also tasty and great to use.
Bring a pot of water to a boil, then blanch the broccoli for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Keep in mind that larger pieces will require a longer cooking time. For crunchier broccoli, blanch for a shorter time; for softer broccoli, leave it in the water a bit longer.
Remove the broccoli from the boiling water and immediately transfer it to cold or ice water to preserve its vibrant green color and crisp texture.

5. STIR-FRY PROCESS

Heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan or wok. I'm using sunflower oil for this dish, but any neutral cooking oil will work. Just avoid olive or avocado oil, as their flavors don’t pair well with Asian-style stir-fries.
Once the oil is hot, add half of the beef and sear it in the pan for about 1 minute on each side. Remove the beef from the wok and set it aside. Repeat with the remaining beef in a second batch to ensure a good sear and avoid overcrowding the pan.
Using the same wok, add minced garlic and grated ginger. Sauté the aromatics for about a minute until fragrant.
Pour the sauce into the wok and gently bring it to a simmer. After about 3-4 minutes, once the sauce begins to thicken, return the beef and broccoli to the pan. Toss everything together until well coated, then sprinkle with sesame seeds if you like.
Your dish is now ready to serve.

Check out the Youtube video for detailed instruction - Beef and broccoli stir-fry recipe - easy recipe with minimal ingredients

Stir Fry Beef and Broccoli

INGREDIENT LIST

INSTRUCTIONS

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