Better-Than-Takeout Beef and Broccoli — It really is BETTER than takeout and it’s definitely FASTER!! This EASY Chinese restaurant copycat recipe is a family favorite that’ll go into your regular rotation!!
Table of Contents
This recipe is adapted from my copycat P.F. Chang’s Mongolian Beef recipe, which is a reader favorite that comes together in less than 20 minutes.
The same goes for this recipe — it’s easy and ready in a flash. I have seen beef and broccoli recipes that require marinating the beef first, like my 15-Minute Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli, but this is not one of them, which is a real time saver.
This Chinese beef and broccoli is full of umami flavor and pairs nicely with steamed rice or cauliflower rice. It’s best the day it’s made, but leftovers can easily be reheated in a skillet and enjoyed for days afterward.
Recipe Ingredients
To make this easy recipe (including the irresistible beef and broccoli sauce!), you’ll need:
- Flank steak
- Cornstarch
- Olive oil (or vegetable oil)
- Sesame oil
- Garlic cloves
- Ginger
- Low-sodium soy sauce
- Water
- Dark brown sugar
- Broccoli florets
- Green onions
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Homemade Beef and Broccoli
This is a very simple beef and broccoli recipe that anyone can make! Here are the basic recipe steps:
- To a large bag, add the thin slices of flank steak, cornstarch, and toss to coat.
- In a medium saucepan, sauté garlic and ginger until the garlic is fragrant.
- Then add soy sauce, water, brown sugar, and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil and allow it to boil for a couple minutes before reducing the heat and simmering until the sauce is slightly thickened and reduced.
- While the sauce is simmering, in a separate skillet, sear the steak over high heat.
- Top the seared steak with broccoli, pour in the soy sauce mixture, and toss the beef and broccoli to coat it evenly with the sauce. Simmer for a few minutes, or until the broccoli is as crisp-tender as desired.
Garnish Ideas
I like to finish this dish with green onions and sesame seeds, but they’re optional.
How to Thicken the Beef and Broccoli Sauce
One optional step which will depend on the texture and consistency of the sauce in your pan, and personal preference, is that if the sauce on the thinner or runnier side, and you want sauce that clings better to the beef and broccoli, you can make that happen in 60 seconds.
Dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of water, which is called a slurry, and add that to the pan. Stir and simmer for about 60 seconds, and your sauce should be nicely thicker at that point.
If your steak was very well coated in cornstarch, the residual cornstarch may be enough to thicken the sauce. But if it’s not, you can thicken it up in a hurry by adding a cornstarch slurry.
If you add 6 full cups of broccoli like I did because I am a broccoli fanatic, the natural waters and juices that escape when the broccoli cooks, will thin out your sauce and you’ll likely want to use a slurry.
Recipe FAQs
I use flank steak and have not tried other cuts of beef. I have read recipes that call for skirt steak but I haven’t tried it. Be sure to cut your steak across the grain, which helps it be even more tender once cooked.
Homemade beef with broccoli is coated in an umami u0022brown sauceu0022 that has layers of flavor from the soy sauce, sesame oil, fresh garlic and ginger, and brown sugar.
No, I recommend using fresh broccoli florets for best results.
No! The cornstarch in this recipe is non-negotiable. It helps the beef crisp up a little when seared and it thickens the sauce.
No, it’s not gluten-free as written because soy sauce contains gluten. To make this recipe gluten-free, make sure your soy sauce is certified gluten-free or use gluten-free tamari.
What to Serve with Beef and Broccoli
My boyfriend LOVES this recipe. It’s his favorite meal that I make. I’m not a professional cook by any means, and this is so easy even I can make it! I also add portobello mushrooms near the end for something extra! So good!!
Theresa
Storage and Reheating Instructions
In the fridge: Let the homemade beef and broccoli stir fry cool before transferring to an airtight container. Leftovers will last up to 5 days.
To reheat: Warm individual servings for 30-second intervals in the microwave.
Recipe Video
Better-Than-Takeout Beef With Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 to 1.25 pounds flank steak, sliced into thin strips, no more than 1/4-inch thick
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, pressed or finely minced
- 1 to 2 teaspoons ginger, or to taste (fresh or dried is okay, use less dried than you would fresh)
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup water
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar, packed (light may be substituted)
- 4 to 6 cups broccoli florets, dependent on preference for broccoli
- 2 to 3 green onions, sliced into 1/4-inch long segments
- red pepper flakes, optional and to taste
- sesame seeds, optional for garnishing
Instructions
- To a large ziptop bag, add the steak, cornstarch, seal, and toss to coat. Set aside while preparing the sauce.
- To a medium saucepan, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and heat over medium-high for about 1 minute, or just until garlic is fragrant, taking care not to scorch it.
- Add the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil and allow it to boil for about 2 to 3 minutes. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened and reduced. While it simmers, sear the steak.
- To a large skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and the steak. Cook over medium-high or high heat until steak is cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes, flipping the pieces intermittently to ensure even cooking.
- Add the broccoli.
- Evenly drizzle in the soy sauce mixture, noting it will bubble up dramatically. Toss the beef and broccoli to coat evenly with the sauce. Simmer for about 3 to 5 minutes at medium-high, or until the broccoli is as crisp tender as desired.
- Optional — If your sauce hasn’t thickened up as much as you’d like and your broccoli is done or nearly done, and you want a sauce that clings better and isn’t as thin, simply dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1 tablespoon water (called a slurry), add it to the skillet, stir for about 1 minute, or until your sauce has thickened to your desired level. Since I used 6 cups broccoli, the natural water and juices that escaped from it thinned out my sauce, so I needed to use a slurry.
- Turn off the heat, add the green onions, and stir to incorporate.
- Optionally, evenly sprinkle with red pepper flakes (makes the dish taste more authentic and gives it flavor without adding much heat), optional sesame seeds, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Adapted from P.F. Chang’s Mongolian Beef.
- Recipe is best warm and fresh but will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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More Asian Recipes with Beef:
15-Minute Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli – EASY, HEALTHIER than going out for Chinese because it’s baked, and FASTER than calling for takeout!! So much FLAVOR in this family favorite! It’ll go into your regular rotation!!
Mongolian Beef Bowls – These EASY Chinese-inspired Mongolian beef bowls are ready in just 10 minutes!! Loaded with rich savory flavor, crisp-tender vegetables, and served over rice!
Beef Fried Rice — This better-than-takeout beef fried rice is EASY, ready in 20 MINUTES, and made in ONE skillet! Everyone loves the big juicy strips of steak and perfectly fried rice that’s speckled with bits of onions, peas, carrots, and scrambled eggs.
Teriyaki Steak Tips — Tri-tip steak tips are cooked to perfection and then topped with a thick and sticky homemade pineapple teriyaki sauce! A family favorite that everyone will love and is FAST and EASY to make!
P.F. Chang’s Mongolian Beef — This copycat recipe comes together in 20 minutes, it’s EASY, and makes for a great weeknight meal! Even picky eaters will love this, and any leftover sauce can be served over rice.
Easy Hunan Beef — Skip the takeout and make this popular Chinese-inspired recipe at home! Hunan-style beef is spicy, sweet, tangy, and loaded with tender slices of beef and veggies.
Honestly, I don’t really like beef, but with this recipe I love it!
Thanks for the 5 star review, Camelia, and I am with you – I am more of a chicken/fish person than beef normally but I adore it in this recipe!
Very easy recipe. Will try again with less sugar. It was a bit sweet but I still devoured it.
Thanks for the 5 star review, Daisy, and glad that you will make it again and play around with less sugar.
the 3rd time I am making broccoli beef just like takeout and my husband and I just love it. thank you for such a good recipe! I was afraid to make it after my stroke but everything went well so good direction too!
Thanks for the 5 star review, K-Ann, and I am so happy this was your third time making it and that you and your husband are so pleased with the recipe! Bravo to you for keeping on cooking!
this is the 3rd time I am making broccoli beef just like takeout and my husband and I just love it. thank you for such a good recipe! I was afraid to make it after my stroke but everything went well so good direction too!
This was so scrumptious! Very easy even for beginners. They will be the talk of the neighborhood if they serve this at a party or a quiet dinner. Either way, they will be remembered as a Great Cook!
The ease and depth of flavor puts this dish on a regular schedule.
Thank you for posting!
Thanks for the 5 star review and it’s great to hear this is a big winner for you and it’s in your rotation!
This was a hit with my family will definitely make this again and put in our rotation.
Thanks for the 5 star review, Bri, and I’m glad this was a hit with your family and it’s going into your rotation!
Great recipe! Family loved it. Do you think this would be okay to make in the slow cooker?
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad it’s a hit! I would say no to the slow cooker. The beef could overcook and the broccoli would get very mushy. Better to keep this one as-is on the stovetop.
I do have a sheet pan version though https://www.averiecooks.com/15-minute-sheet-pan-beef-broccoli/
We love this recipe! Using flank steak makes the dish restaurant-quality. We double the sauce to serve over sticky rice. Yum!
Thanks for the 5 star review, Maria, and I am glad you love this and double the sauce, too! Yum!
Flavor is fabulous. For me (but perhaps not more experienced cooks), searing the beef left me with a huge mess of a pan – perhaps it was the corn starch. Recommend using 6 cups of broccoli as it cooks down.
The family loved it.
Thanks for the 5 star review, Maria, and cornstarch can be messy, however perhaps use a little bit less next time, more oil, and less high heat (turn the temp down a bit). Glad it was worth it though for fabulous flavor and a happy family!
I hesitated making this as I did have it in a restaurant a long time ago and it wasn’t my favorite. But your recipe changed my mind. It was so good.
That’s so great to hear, Carolyn, glad this recipe changed your mind about this dish and it turned out so well!
I made this for dinner the other night and everyone loved it!! There were just 3 of us and barely any leftovers after, so good!
Thanks for the 5 star review, Chelsea, and I’m glad you really enjoyed it (and barely any leftovers)!
This recipe was easy to make and was very tasty. The only adjustment I would make next time is use half regular abs half low sodium soy sauce as the original recipe lacked enough salt to my taste. However, it was an easy fix, I added a little salt to my dish. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe 😋
Thanks for sharing your photo and for trying the recipe! It’s very easy to add salt, very tricky to remove the flavor if something is oversalted, so I err on the side of caution for the masses since people’s preferences vary so widely on salt. Glad you just added a bit!
This was a super easy recipe and it was delicious. Seriously. Really good.
Thanks for the 5 star review, Katherine, and glad it was super easy and really good! Love hearing this!
Made this tonight with brown rice. Very good!
Thanks for the 5 star review, Heather, and glad this turned out very good!
The best beef and broccoli recipe I’ve found.. and I’ve tried a lot! My whole fam loves this, I try to meal prep with it but I never have leftovers!! My husband is always sneaking bites out of the pan
Thanks for the 5 star review, Rachael, and I’m glad this is the best beef and broccoli recipe you’ve round and your whole family loves it!
This was very easy to make and simple ingredients are used. It was very sweet, next time I will only use 1/4 cup brown sugar. Will definitely make again!
Thanks for the 5 star review, Margaret, and glad you enjoyed it. Yes, cut the sugar back next time based on your preferences.