What’s for dinner tonight? It’s the age old question that can sometimes feel a little stressful, especially after a long day. I totally get it. You want something delicious and satisfying, but you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. You’re looking for simple, straightforward, and tasty.
Well, I have just the thing for you. This beef and broccoli is one of my favorite Easy Dinner Recipes. It’s a classic for a reason. It’s savory, a little sweet, and packed with flavor. Forget ordering takeout, because you can make this even faster at home. It’s one of those amazing Dinner Ideas Recipes you’ll come back to again and again.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? This recipe is a real winner for so many reasons. First off, it’s incredibly fast. We’re talking about a full meal on the table in about thirty minutes. That makes it a champion for those busy Easy Weeknight Dinners when time is short.
It’s also made with simple, accessible ingredients. You likely have most of these in your pantry already. No need for a special trip to a fancy grocery store. This is all about making delicious food without the fuss.
The flavor is just fantastic. The sauce is a beautiful balance of savory soy sauce, a touch of sweetness from brown sugar, and a kick from fresh garlic and ginger. It coats every piece of tender beef and crisp broccoli perfectly. It’s a flavor combination that everyone at the table enjoys.
Plus, it’s a feast for the eyes. The rich, glossy brown sauce clinging to the vibrant green broccoli florets and slices of beef is just so appealing. It looks like it came straight from a restaurant kitchen. It’s one of those Easy Dinner Recipes that delivers on both taste and presentation.
This is truly one of the best Quick Dinner Ideas when you crave something wholesome and homemade but are short on time. It feels like a comforting, complete meal that satisfies every time.
Ingredients
The beauty of these kinds of Easy Dinner Recipes lies in their simplicity. Here is what you will need to gather before you get started. The list is short and sweet!
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch, divided
- 1 pound flank steak, cut into thin 1 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 3 Tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 4 cups small broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup sliced white onions
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to cook? Let’s walk through this together. Following these simple steps will give you a delicious meal in no time. This is one of my go to Easy Weeknight Dinners for a reason.
Step 1: Prepare The Beef
First things first, let’s get the beef ready. Grab a large bowl. In it, you’ll whisk together two tablespoons of the cornstarch with three tablespoons of water. Keep whisking until it’s smooth and there are no lumps.
Now, add your sliced flank steak to the bowl. Use your hands or a spoon to toss the beef, making sure every single piece gets coated in that cornstarch mixture. This little step is what helps make the beef tender and gives it a nice texture.
Step 2: Mix The Sauce
Next up is that amazing sauce. In a separate, smaller bowl, combine the rest of your ingredients for the sauce. That’s the remaining one tablespoon of cornstarch, the low sodium soy sauce, packed brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
Whisk it all together until the brown sugar has dissolved and everything is well combined. Just set this bowl aside for now. We’ll need it in a few minutes. Having it ready makes the final cooking process so much faster.
Step 3: Cook The Beef
It’s time to turn on the heat. Place a large non stick sauté pan or wok over medium heat. Add one tablespoon of the vegetable oil. Let it get nice and hot. You’ll know it’s ready when the oil shimmers a bit.
Carefully add the coated beef to the hot pan. It should sizzle right away. Cook the beef, stirring it constantly, until it’s almost cooked through. This will only take a couple of minutes. Don’t overcook it at this stage. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a clean plate and set it aside.
Step 4: Sauté The Veggies
Now for the vegetables. Add the remaining one tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same pan. Once it’s hot, add your broccoli florets and sliced onions. I love the smell of onions cooking, don’t you?
Cook the vegetables, stirring them every so often, until the broccoli is tender but still has a little bit of a crisp bite. This usually takes about four minutes. You want it bright green, not mushy.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
This is the final, exciting part. Return the cooked beef to the pan with the broccoli and onions. Now grab that bowl of sauce you prepared earlier and pour it all over everything in the pan. Give it a good stir to combine.
Bring the whole mixture to a boil. Let it cook, while stirring, for about one minute. You will see the sauce start to bubble and thicken up beautifully, coating everything in a glossy, savory glaze. And just like that, you have one of the most satisfying Easy Dinner Recipes ready to go.
Serve it up hot right away. It’s fantastic over a bed of fluffy rice or with your favorite noodles.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, which isn’t always a guarantee with this dish, storing them is simple. Just let the beef and broccoli cool down completely to room temperature. This is an important step to prevent condensation.
Once cooled, place the leftovers in an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to three or four days. It’s one of those Easy Dinner Recipes that tastes just as good the next day, making it great for lunch.
When you’re ready to reheat, you can gently warm it in a pan on the stove over low heat. You can also microwave it in short bursts, stirring in between, until it’s heated through. The sauce will loosen up again as it warms.
Tips
Want to make this dish even better? Here are a few of my favorite tips. For slicing the beef super thin, try placing it in the freezer for about 20 to 30 minutes before you cut it. This firms it up and makes it so much easier to get those nice, thin slices.
When you cook the beef, make sure you don’t overcrowd the pan. If you put too much in at once, it will steam instead of sear. If needed, cook the beef in two separate batches. A good sear adds so much flavor.
Feel free to customize your veggies. This is one of the most flexible Dinner Ideas Recipes. Sliced carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas would be wonderful additions. Just add them with the broccoli and onions.
Don’t be afraid to play with the sauce. If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. For a deeper flavor, a splash of sesame oil at the end works wonders. Adjust the sweetness or saltiness to your personal taste.
For serving, while rice and noodles are classic, this beef and broccoli is also great with quinoa. For a lower carb option, you can serve it with cauliflower rice or just enjoy it on its own. It’s a great base for many Quick Dinner Ideas.
Conclusion
There you have it. A simple, delicious, and quick meal that proves you don’t need a lot of time or complicated steps to make something amazing. This beef and broccoli is a true staple in our collection of Easy Dinner Recipes.
It’s the kind of meal that brings comfort and flavor to your dinner table without any of the weeknight stress. It’s a fantastic recipe for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. This is a dish that shows how wonderful simple cooking can be.
I hope you give this recipe a try and that it becomes one of your favorite Easy Weeknight Dinners. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy a homemade meal that feels special but is secretly so simple to make.
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Cut Of Beef?
Yes, absolutely. While flank steak is a great choice because it’s lean and tender when sliced thinly, you could also use sirloin steak or skirt steak. Just make sure to slice it thinly against the grain for the best texture.
Is This Recipe Gluten Free?
As written, this recipe is not gluten free because it uses soy sauce. However, you can easily adapt it. Simply substitute the soy sauce with tamari or a gluten free soy sauce alternative. All other ingredients are typically gluten free, but always double check your labels.
Can I Make This Dish Vegetarian?
Of course. For a vegetarian version, you can replace the beef with firm or extra firm tofu. Just press the tofu well to remove excess water, cut it into cubes, and coat it in the cornstarch mixture just like the beef. You could also just use more vegetables for a veggie packed stir fry.
How Can I Make The Sauce Thicker Or Thinner?
The sauce thickness is controlled by the cornstarch. If you’d like a thicker sauce, you can create a small slurry by mixing a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water, then slowly whisk it into the sauce as it simmers. For a thinner sauce, just add a tablespoon or two of water or low sodium broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
This savory, slightly sweet beef and broccoli stir-fry is a delicious and quick meal. Forget takeout; this easy recipe is packed with flavor and ready in about thirty minutes, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together two tablespoons of the cornstarch with three tablespoons of water until smooth and lump-free. Add the sliced flank steak and toss to coat thoroughly.
- In a separate, smaller bowl, combine the remaining one tablespoon of cornstarch, the low sodium soy sauce, packed brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Whisk until the brown sugar is dissolved and all ingredients are well combined. Set aside.
- Heat a large non stick sauté pan or wok over medium heat. Add one tablespoon of the vegetable oil. Once hot, carefully add the coated beef. Cook, stirring constantly, until the beef is almost cooked through, about a couple of minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a clean plate and set aside.
- Add the remaining one tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same pan. Add the broccoli florets and sliced white onions. Cook, stirring every so often, until the broccoli is tender-crisp, about four minutes.
- Return the cooked beef to the pan with the broccoli and onions. Pour the prepared sauce over everything and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, stirring, for about one minute until the sauce thickens and forms a glossy glaze. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
Notes
To slice beef super thin, freeze it for 20-30 minutes beforehand.
Avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking beef; cook in batches if necessary for a good sear.
Customize with other vegetables like sliced carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas.
Adjust the sauce with red pepper flakes for heat or a splash of sesame oil for deeper flavor.
Serve with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lower carb option.
Nutrition
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