Beef and broccoli is a stir-fry combo that is practically synonymous with takeout, but you can make it at home and have this delicious dish on the table in less than 20 minutes. And the homemade version tastes even better than takeout, featuring tender broccoli tossed with juicy beef in a flavorful sauce.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights! Forget takeout; you can make this copycat Panda Express recipe in no time. It’s a complete meal that will leave you satisfied without the post-takeout guilt.
Beef and broccoli was one of my mom’s favorite weeknight dinners to make when I was growing up. She knew the value of having something quick and easy to make, especially after a long day of work.
On the other hand, my siblings and I thought it was fancy cuisine because it was “Chinese”! In truth, it was pure weeknight genius disguised as an adventure. This recipe proves you can create a sense of wonder and excitement while still keeping things simple and healthy.
So, put down the takeout menus and make this classic comfort food! I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of making this mouthwatering meal and share some expert tips and tricks.
Reader Review
Best homemade beef and broccoli I’ve ever made. I’ll never use a crockpot recipe for it again. Beef was so tender, sauce was delicious, and the broccoli was tender but not mushy. Outstanding flavor and pretty easy to put together. Yum!
— Lori
Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Sirloin steak: I love using sirloin steak in this recipe because it’s tender and flavorful, but flank steak or skirt steak work great, too.
- Cornstarch
- Soy sauce
- Butter or oil
- Rice vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
- Beef stock
- Broccoli florets
How to Make Beef and Broccoli
- In a large bowl, toss your steak with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Set aside.
- Melt your butter or oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add your steak strips in a single layer (you may need to do this in batches) and cook for just a minute or so per side until browned. Remove the steak from the pan and set aside.
- Add broccoli and water to a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave for 5 minutes. Drain the water and set the broccoli aside.
- Remove any remaining butter or oil from the pan. Add the remaining soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, garlic, and the remaining cornstarch. Whisk until slightly thickened.
- Add the beef and broccoli to the sauce and toss to coat.
Serving Ideas
This Copycat Panda Express Beef and Broccoli is a dish that pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are a few of my favorite serving ideas:
- Steamed rice: This is the classic way to serve it! It soaks up all that delicious sauce and makes for a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Noodles: If you want something different, try serving this beef and broccoli over your favorite noodles. I like using rice or udon noodles.
- Lettuce wraps: If you’re watching your carb intake, try serving this beef and broccoli in lettuce wraps. It’s a fun and fresh way to enjoy this dish, and it lets the beef and sauce flavors shine through.
How to Store
Transfer the cooled beef and broccoli to an airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to 3 days.
When you’re ready to reheat, transfer the desired amount to a microwave-safe dish and heat until warm. You can also reheat this dish on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated.
This dish reheats well, so make a big batch and enjoy leftovers throughout the week! It is a great way to have a delicious meal ready at a moment’s notice.
Leftover beef and broccoli is also delicious served over a salad for lunch the next day, or you can repurpose it into a new dish like beef and broccoli fried rice or quesadillas. Get creative!
Try this Ground Beef Stir Fry for a more budget friendly beef dinner.
Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Slice the beef against the grain. This is key for ensuring tender, easily chewable pieces of meat. Look for the lines running across the steak (the “grain”) and slice perpendicular to them.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning the beef. If necessary, cook the beef in batches to ensure even browning and prevent the meat from steaming instead of searing.
- You can save time by using frozen, steamable broccoli instead of fresh ones.
- The beauty of making this dish at home is that you can adjust the sauce to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add more brown sugar. For a spicier kick, add some red pepper flakes or Sriracha.
- If you have a wok, now’s the time to use it! Its high heat and large surface area make it perfect for stir-frying dishes like beef and broccoli.
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Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound sirloin steak thinly sliced, see notes
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch divided
- ⅔ cup soy sauce divided
- 2 tablespoons butter or oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup beef stock
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- ¼ cup water
- Scallions and sesame seeds for garnish optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss the steak with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Set aside.1 pound sirloin steak, 4 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, ⅔ cup soy sauce
- Meanwhile, melt your butter or oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.2 tablespoons butter or oil
- Add your steak strips in a single layer for a minute or so per side until browned. You may need to do this in batches.
- Remove the steak from the pan and set aside.
- Put the broccoli and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Top with a damp paper towel and microwave for 5 minutes.¼ cup water, 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- Drain off the water and set broccoli aside.
- Remove any remaining butter or oil from the pan.
- Add the remaining soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, garlic, and remaining cornstarch to the pan.3 tablespoons brown sugar, 3 cloves garlic, 1 cup beef stock
- Whisk over medium-high heat until slightly thickened.
- Add the beef and broccoli to the sauce and toss to coat.Scallions and sesame seeds for garnish
Notes
- Slice the beef against the grain. This is key for ensuring tender, easily chewable pieces of meat. Look for the lines running across the steak (the “grain”) and slice perpendicular to them.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning the beef. If necessary, cook the beef in batches.
- You can save time by using frozen, steamable broccoli instead of fresh ones.
- Adjust the sauce to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add more brown sugar. For a spicier kick, add some red pepper flakes or Sriracha.
- If you have a wok, now’s the time to use it! Its high heat and large surface area make it perfect for stir-frying dishes like beef and broccoli.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
Five
Best homemade beef and broccoli I’ve ever made. I’ll never use a crockpot recipe for it again. Beef was so tender, sauce was delicious, and the broccoli was tender but not mushy. Outstanding flavor and pretty easy to put together. Yum!
Easy to fix and delicious
Recipe for our dinner tonight and I did not make it with beef. I had venison strips so I used it with that flavor bomb. It was delicious. Thank you for the recipe. I really appreciate this fantastic recipe.
I love this recipe
Incredibly SALTY! I did not use low sodium soy sauce and should have. Needs more flavor than salty soy sauce, which is all I can taste….