20 Minute Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Tender steak and crunchy veggies are coated in an amazing homemade sweet and spicy sauce in this easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry! It’s a healthy weeknight dinner that’s done in 20 minutes.

Quick & Easy Beef Stir Fry with Broccoli

Next time you’re tempted to call your local Asian restaurant and order takeout, hang up the phone and make this stir fry instead. It’s loaded with fresh veggies, hearty steak, and the most sumptuous sweet & sour stir fry sauce you’ll ever taste. Plus, it makes for great leftovers! That is, if it doesn’t all disappear the night you make it.

This homemade stir fry was inspired by the Mongolian beef I ordered at a Chinese/Japanese fusion restaurant near my house. I asked them to add some of my favorite veggies so that it wasn’t just the beef, and I seriously could not stop eating the stuff! The wonderfully light stir fry sauce coated each veggie and every chunk of beef with a layer of pure deliciousness.

This version—dare I say it—is even better than the dish I ordered that day. It has everything I loved about the Mongolian beef and more. I like to cook the veggies lightly so that they still have some crunch to them, but you can make them more tender if you’d prefer. Either way, this healthy stir fry is guaranteed to earn a spot in your regular dinner rotation.

What You’ll Need

Most stir fry recipes instruct you to coat the protein in flour or a cornstarch drench, but not this beef and broccoli one! It uses arrowroot instead, a healthier option that keeps things gluten-free and paleo.

For the Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

• Flank Steak: Or skirt steak, thinly sliced.
• Arrowroot: You can find this versatile white root powder in the spice aisle.
• Grapeseed Oil: This type of oil has a high smoke point that makes it ideal for stir frying.
• Brown Rice Noodles: You could also use regular brown rice or make your own cauliflower rice for a paleo version of this meal.
• Broccoli Florets: Rinsed and thoroughly dried.
• Red Pepper: Rinsed, dried and thinly sliced.
• Garlic: Freshly minced.

For the Sweet and Spicy Sauce

• Tamari Sauce: You can use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re not gluten-free or vegan.
• Water
• Ground Ginger: Also called ginger powder.
• Spicy Mustard: Use your favorite brand.
• Honey: This enhances the subtle sweetness provided by the ginger powder.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Feel free to add these to taste based on the level of spiciness you prefer.
• Arrowroot: To thicken the sauce.
• Sesame Seeds & Sliced Green Onions: Optional, to garnish the dish.

Which Cut of Beef is Best?

Flank steak and skirt steak are our preferred cuts of beef to use in stir-fries. They’re tender, lean, and easy to chew when you cut them into thin slices against the grain. Other good options include top round, sirloin and New York strip steak.

How to Make Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

This beefy lunch or dinner comes together in a snap. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Coat Steak in Arrowroot: Add the sliced steak to a large ziplock bag with 1 tablespoon of arrowroot. Toss to coat the steak and let it sit inside the bag.
2. Cook Noodles: In the meantime, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the brown rice noodles to the water, stir them around and cook for 4-5 minutes (don’t overcook the noodles). Immediately remove the noodles from the pot and drain them with cold water.
3. Cook Beef: Heat a wok or large skillet to medium-high heat. Add the grapeseed oil to the pan and stir fry the beef for about 3-4 minutes, turning it over to brown each side throughout the cooking process. Remove the browned beef from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
4. Cook Veggies: Immediately add the broccoli, red pepper and garlic to the pan. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Make Sauce: In the meantime, whisk together the tamari, water, ginger, mustard, honey, red pepper flakes and arrowroot in a small bowl.
6. Combine Beef, Veggies & Sauce: Add the cooked beef and the sauce into the pan with the vegetables. Stir everything together, then cover the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Once the sauce has thickened, remove the pan from the heat.
7. Serve Over Noodles: Serve the beef and broccoli stir fry on top of the rice noodles. Add sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.

Tips for Success

This is one of the very first stir-fries I started making at home. Here are some helpful tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way!

• Slice the Steak Against the Grain: There’s a general rule of thumb to follow whenever you’re working with steak – slice it against the grain. In other words, you should cut across the tiny muscle fibers running through the meat. Breaking up these muscle fibers makes for maximum tenderness.
• Use This Hack to Get Thin Slices: If you’re having trouble cutting the steak into nice, thin slices, simply pop it into the freezer for about half an hour and try again. This will firm up the steak and make it easier to cut.
• Rinse & Dry the Veggies: Be sure to give your vegetables a quick rinse to wash away any potential dirt or pesticides. Then dry everything off with paper towels as best you can.
• Don’t Overcook the Noodles! As soon as the rice noodles have softened, drain them in a strainer while spraying them with cold water. Overcooking them will create a starch buildup, which you definitely want to avoid.
• Thin Out the Sauce if Desired: If you find the sauce to be too thick, stir in a small amount of water at the end of the cooking process. Add 1 tablespoon at a time until you’re happy with the consistency.

Variation Ideas

Let’s go over a few ways to change up this recipe. You can use it to create any kind of stir fry you’re craving!

• Swap Out the Protein: Not in the mood for steak? Try making this dish with pork tenderloin, chicken, shrimp or tofu instead.
• Turn Up the Heat: If you’re looking to make an extra spicy stir fry, you can always throw in some sriracha sauce or chili powder. Yum!
• Add More Vegetables: Any veggies can be subbed in or added to this stir fry as you see fit. Corn, peas, bok choy and mushrooms are all amazing options.

Serving Suggestions

In addition to serving your beef and broccoli stir fry over noodles or rice, you may want to add some simple side dishes to the mix. I’ve got some fail-proof ideas:

• Serve with Cucumber Salad: This 10-minute Cucumber Salad is the perfect companion for your homemade stir fry. It’s an Asian-style side dish that won’t disappoint.
• Serve with Sushi Rolls: You won’t believe how easy it is to make these Stacked California Sushi Rolls. Featuring creamy avocado, fluffy jasmine rice, tender shrimp, crunchy cucumber slices and more, they’re sure to impress your dinner guests!
• Add a cocktail: I’m never one to say no to a good cocktail! Try this Hugo Cocktail or this Spicy Margarita.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

This beef and broccoli stir fry will last for up to 4 days in the fridge. Make sure you store it in an airtight container after it has cooled all the way down to room temperature.

Reheat large portions on the stove over a low-heat burner, adding a splash of oil and stirring frequently to ensure even cooking. Individual servings can be microwaved in a heat-proof bowl. Warm the stir fry for 30 seconds at a time, stirring between each interval and reducing the microwave time accordingly.

Can I Freeze This?

Yes – to freeze this stir fry, first wait until it has cooled completely. Then place individual servings in separate freezer bags in case you want to thaw and reheat them one by one. Squeeze all the air out of the bags before sealing them. Freeze your stir fry for up to 2 months and thaw it out in the fridge before reheating it.

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More Hearty Stir-Fries to Try

Loving this nutritious stir fry? You’re going to enjoy the following ones just as much.

• Shrimp Stir Fry with Zucchini Noodles
• Easy Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

DON’T MISS A RECIPE ->

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