Spicy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry (Print version)
Vibrant stir fry with tender beef, crisp broccoli, and spicy ginger-garlic sauce. Quick, satisfying, and perfect for weeknight dinners.
# What you'll need:
→ Beef
01 - 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
→ Marinade
02 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
04 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 large head broccoli, cut into florets (approximately 4 cups)
06 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 3 green onions, sliced
→ Aromatics and Sauce
08 - 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
09 - 1.5 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
10 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 to 2 red chilies, thinly sliced
12 - 0.25 cup low-sodium soy sauce
13 - 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
14 - 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
15 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
16 - 0.25 cup water
→ Garnish
17 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
18 - Fresh cilantro or additional green onions
# How to make it:
01 - In a medium bowl, combine sliced beef with 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon rice vinegar. Toss thoroughly and let marinate for 10 to 15 minutes.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together 0.25 cup soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, sesame oil, and water. Set aside.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated beef in a single layer and sear for 1 to 2 minutes per side until browned. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Add remaining oil to the wok. Stir fry broccoli florets and bell pepper for 2 to 3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender-crisp.
05 - Add minced ginger, garlic, and sliced chilies to the wok. Stir fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Return beef to the wok. Pour in prepared sauce and stir everything together. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce thickens and beef is cooked through. Toss in green onions and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro or additional green onions. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
# Expert suggestions:
01 -
- The marinade works magic in just 15 minutes, transforming even budget-friendly cuts into tender, flavor-soaked bites that might make you close your eyes at first taste.
- Everything comes together in one pan with barely any prep work, making this my go-to rescue dinner when the clock is ticking and hungry faces are staring me down.
02 -
- Never crowd your pan with beef or it will steam instead of sear, leaving you with gray, rubbery meat instead of those coveted caramelized edges.
- Adding a splash of water to the hot pan and immediately covering it for 60 seconds will perfectly steam-finish broccoli while keeping its vibrant color.
03 -
- Freeze the beef for about 15 minutes before slicing for paper-thin cuts that cook in seconds and absorb maximum flavor.
- Save vegetable scraps like broccoli stems and pepper cores in a freezer bag for homemade stock that will elevate your next batch of stir fry sauce to restaurant quality.