Description
This Chinese Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry recipe is a quick and flavorful dish combining tender beef slices with vibrant broccoli in a savory soy-based sauce. With a perfect balance of garlic, ginger, and Chinese five-spice, this stir fry is perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner that takes just 20 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 2 tbsp cornstarch / cornflour
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine)
- 1/8 tsp Chinese five spice powder
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Beef and Stir Fry
- 2 tbsp oil
- 12 oz / 360g beef fillet, flank or rump (thinly sliced against the grain)
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely chopped
- 4 – 5 cups broccoli florets (1 head), cooked (par boiled or steamed)
- 1 cup water
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, combine the cornstarch and 1/4 cup water, mixing until smooth. Add sugar, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, Chinese five spice powder, sesame oil (if using), and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to integrate all the sauce ingredients.
- Marinate the Beef: Slice the beef into 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) thick pieces against the grain for tenderness. Place the beef and 2 tablespoons of the prepared sauce into a bowl and set aside to marinate briefly.
- Heat Oil and Cook Beef: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet or wok over high heat until hot. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and leave it undisturbed for 1 minute to develop a sear and brown the edges.
- Stir Fry Aromatics: Stir the beef for 10 seconds, then add the finely chopped garlic and ginger. Continue to stir-fry for about 30 seconds until the beef is no longer pink and the aromatics are fragrant.
- Add Sauce and Water: Pour in the remaining sauce mixture and 1 cup of water, quickly stirring to combine and distribute the sauce evenly over the beef.
- Combine Broccoli and Simmer: When the sauce starts bubbling, add the cooked broccoli florets. Stir well to coat the broccoli in the sauce, then let the mixture simmer for 1 minute or until the sauce thickens.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat immediately to prevent overcooking. Optionally garnish with sesame seeds and serve the beef and broccoli hot over steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Be sure to slice the beef thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness.
- You can par boil or steam the broccoli in advance to save time.
- The sauce thickens quickly once combined with the heat, so stir constantly to avoid lumps.
- Adjust the amount of soy sauce or sugar to taste depending on your preference.
- Sesame oil is optional but adds a nice nutty flavor to the dish.
