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Quick Beef and Broccoli

Quicker than takeout. And tastier too.

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Beef and Broccoli is classic takeout. It’s salty and savory and hard to walk away from and if you’re only accustomed to it coming out of a white paper takeout container, you should know that it takes you just a few minutes to make at home. And it might be even more delicious when it comes out of your own kitchen.

This is one of my go-to recipes when I’m in a hurry or neglected to make a plan for dinner. It’s easy to throw together, even easier to enjoy, and pairs perfectly with some white rice that you can get going in the rice cooker while you throw the rest together.

You also don’t need a ton of specialty ingredients to make it happen. The sauce is based on stuff that you probably already have in your pantry, like soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and sesame oil. If you don’t regularly have sesame oil on hand, you might want to change that — its nutty flavor is delicious and totally unique and you usually only need a little splash of it to transform a recipe.

The other ingredients, flank steak and broccoli florets, are easy to find and pretty economical. All you need to do is toss the steak in some cornstarch (this thickens the sauce and encourages some crispiness), brown it, and then add the broccoli and the sauce ingredients. The broccoli and beef simmer in this sauce until the broccoli is tender and the sauce has thickened and then you’re ready to eat.

That took, what? 15 minutes? That’s a small price to pay for a dinner this delicious. Especially one that kids and grownups alike love so much.

Serves 4

5m prep time

15m cook time

4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5
Rated by 71 reviewers

Allergens: Soy

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you're making mealtime meaningful.
100% of the Share to Care sponsor fees fund meals for families in need. Learn More
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Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 lbs flank steak, sliced into thin strips
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the sauce:
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • Sesame seeds, for serving
Preparation
  1. Combine steak strips and cornstarch in a large zip-top bag. Seal and shake to coat steak. Set aside.
  2. To a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add steak and cook until cooked through, 5-7 minutes, turning steak occasionally. Add broccoli.
  3. Meanwhile, stir together the garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce, water, and brown sugar.
  4. Pour over beef and broccoli, reduce heat to medium, and let simmer until broccoli is tender but still crisp.
  5. If a thicker sauce is desired, stir 2 tablespoons cornstarch into an equal amount of cold water and stir into the sauce. Let simmer until thick.
  6. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired, and serve. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Mom's Dish.