Chinese Beef and Broccoli Recipe
This classic Chinese Beef and Broccoli recipe features tender, marinated flank steak stir-fried with crisp broccoli florets in a savory, slightly sweet sauce. Perfectly balanced and packed with flavor, this dish is a favorite for an easy weeknight dinner or takeout at home.
- Author: Isabella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Low Fat
Beef Marinade
- 1 lb flank steak, skirt steak, or other cut, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (optional, helps tenderize the beef)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken stock (or beef stock)
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar (or white sugar)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Vegetables and Cooking
- 1 head broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
- Marinate the beef: In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon peanut oil, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda if using. Mix well and let it marinate for 20-30 minutes to tenderize and flavor the beef.
- Prepare the sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken stock, Shaoxing wine, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, dark soy sauce, brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.
- Cook the broccoli: Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the broccoli florets for 1-2 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and set aside.
- Stir-fry the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry quickly until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
- Combine and finish: In the same pan, add the blanched broccoli and the prepared sauce mixture. Cook and stir until the sauce thickens and the broccoli is evenly coated, about 2 minutes. Return the cooked beef to the pan and toss everything together until heated through and well combined.
- Serve: Transfer the beef and broccoli to a serving dish and enjoy immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Using baking soda in the marinade tenderizes the beef, but it is optional if you prefer.
- Shaoxing wine adds authentic flavor; dry sherry is a good substitute.
- Be sure to slice the beef thinly against the grain for the most tender texture.
- Blanching broccoli prior to stir-frying helps maintain its bright color and crisp texture.
- This dish can be adapted to be gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Chinese beef and broccoli, beef stir-fry, easy Chinese recipes, weeknight dinner, Asian cuisine