For those days when you’re craving takeout, there’s nothing else that will quite satisfy the craving… except for a better-for-you take on the same recipe that tastes even better than takeout. That’s exactly what my Quick and Easy Saucy Beef & Broccoli is. This recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, making it a simple recipe that comes together faster than you can order Doordash!
Friends, welcome to the second recipe in my new series, “Dinner in Twenty!” If you’ve been following me over on Instagram, then you’ve probably seen that I’ve been sharing a host of healthy dinner recipes that come together in under 20 minutes (like my Cashew Chicken that is so simple and delicious!) To continue with this series, I’m so excited to share my take on a healthy beef & broccoli that is way better than takeout.
But, why is a 20 minute dinner so important? Whether you’re a mom of rambunctious boys like me, or a busy working professional, or even a college student on-the-go, there are so many reasons why you may not have all of the time in the world to spend making dinner. And while I love a good recipe that keeps me in the kitchen (preferably with a glass of wine in-hand), making a long, leisurely dinner every night is just not realistic. Which is why having a quick and easy recipe like this that I can whip up in a matter of minutes!
What You Need to Make This Better-Than-Takeout Recipe
- Olive Oil or Avocado Oil: To cook the beef and broccoli, I like to choose a better-for-you oil such as olive oil or avocado oil.
- Flank Steak: Flank steak is a bold, chewy cut of meat that adds a rich flavor to this recipe!
- Broccoli Florets: Broccoli is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and it’s a classic part of Chinese-style beef and broccoli.
- Garlic: I always recommend using fresh garlic, whenever possible. The flavor is truly unbeatable!
- Green Onions: This recipe calls for both the whites and the greens of the green onions, so no part goes to waste.
- Water: A little water helps to steam the broccoli, ensuring that it cooks all the way through!
- Beef or Chicken Broth: Either beef broth or chicken broth work equally as well, in this recipe. And if you want to add even more flavor and protein to this recipe, you can use bone broth!
- Hoisin Sauce: If you want to keep this recipe gluten-free, be sure to use a gluten-free hoisin sauce.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos: Both work just as well in this recipe! If you want to make it gluten-free, be sure to opt for coconut aminos, which, unlike soy sauce, are naturally gluten-free.
- Rice Vinegar: Just a touch of rice vinegar adds the right amount of tanginess to bring this sauce together.
- Arrowroot Starch or Tapioca Flour or Corn Starch: A thick sauce is key to any restaurant-style recipe, so a thickening agent is necessary here to achieve that perfect texture. This recipe has been tested with all three of the above ingredients, and they all work just as well!
- Ground Ginger: Ground ginger helps to amp up the ginger flavor, without making it too overpowering.
- Ground Black Pepper: Since this sauce is salty enough as-is, just a pinch of ground black pepper helps to really round out all of the flavors.
How to Make This Quick & Easy 20 Minute Dinner
To make this quick & easy stir-fry, start by preparing the steak. Chop the steak into bite-sized pieces. I recommend cutting against the grain for tender, more juicy meat. Once the steak is chopped, set it aside and prepare the broccoli by washing it and chopping it into small pieces.
Then, prepare the sauce. Add all of the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until they’re fully combined Set the sauce aside. Next, add one tablespoon of oil to a large pan and heat it on the stove, over medium heat.
Once the oil is hot, add the steak and sauté it until it is cooked through. A little pink is okay, but you’ll want the steak mostly cooked through. This should take approximately 4 minutes. Once the steak is done, remove it from the pan and set it aside.
Then, add another tablespoon of oil to the pan, and add in the chopped broccoli, garlic, green onion, and water. Stir the ingredients well and allow them to cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the beef back in and stir until it is fully incorporated with the vegetables. Then, pour the sauce on top and mix until everything is coated well.
Allow the beef and broccoli to cook in the sauce for about 5-6 minutes. Then, turn off the heat. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Once it’s done, serve it over rice and enjoy!
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.
** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
Ingredients
For the Stir-Fry:
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil or Avocado Oil
- 1 Pound Flank Steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 Cups Broccoli Florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 Cloves Garlic, mashed
- 2 Green Onions, sliced thin – both the whites and the greens
- ¼ Cup Water
For the Sauce:
- ¾ Cup Beef or Chicken Broth
- ¼ Cup Hoisin Sauce
- ¼ Cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos
- 1 Tablespoon Rice Vinegar
- 2 Teaspoons Avocado Oil
- 2 Tablespoons Arrowroot Starch or Tapioca Flour or Corn Starch
- 2 Teaspoons Ground Ginger
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- To make this quick & easy stir-fry, start by preparing the steak. Chop the steak into bite-sized pieces. I recommend cutting against the grain for tender, more juicy meat.
- Once the steak is chopped, set it aside and prepare the broccoli by washing it and chopping it into small pieces.
- Then, prepare the sauce. Add all of the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until they're fully combined Set the sauce aside.
- Next, add one tablespoon of oil to a large pan and heat it on the stove, over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the steak and sauté it until it is cooked through. A little pink is okay, but you'll want the steak mostly cooked through. This should take approximately 4 minutes.
- Once the steak is done, remove it from the pan and set it aside.
- Then, add another tablespoon of oil to the pan, and add in the chopped broccoli, garlic, green onion, and water. Stir the ingredients well and allow them to cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the beef back in and stir until it is fully incorporated with the vegetables. Then, pour the sauce on top and mix until everything is coated well.
- Allow the beef and broccoli to cook in the sauce for about 5-6 minutes. Then, turn off the heat.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Once it's done, serve it over rice and enjoy!
Rate & review
SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!
What others are saying
Okay this is soooo good! I normally do not leave reviews but I just had to on this. I did not have any ginger so I skipped it but it was already so good! Although I think the ginger would’ve added extra boost to the flavor! Literally took only 20 minutes or maybe less! I doubled the batch and used frozen Asian medley veggies instead since that’s all I got and it’s soooo good! Will definitely add it to my go to recipes! I told my husband it is so much better than a Chinese take out beef and broccoli for sure 💯.
Desiree, I am so thrilled to hear that! Thank you so much for taking the time to make this recipe and write a review. It truly means SO much to me, and helpful reviews like yours support this blog tremendously!!
Better than takeout!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Joe! Thank you so much!