Description
This Chinese Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tender slices of beef are marinated and seared before being combined with crisp broccoli florets in a savory sauce made from soy sauces, Chinese cooking wine, and aromatic spices. Ready in just 20 minutes, this classic stir fry is a satisfying and healthy option that pairs wonderfully with steamed rice.
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
Main Ingredients
- 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, whisk together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup water until smooth. Add sugar, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, Chinese five spice powder, sesame oil (if using), and black pepper. Mix well to combine all the sauce ingredients thoroughly.
- Marinate the Beef: Slice the beef into 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) thick pieces against the grain to ensure tenderness. Place the sliced beef in a bowl and add 2 tablespoons of the prepared sauce. Toss to coat evenly 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 very hot. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and let it sear undisturbed for 1 minute to develop a nice browned edge.
- Stir Fry Aromatics: Stir the beef quickly for about 10 seconds, then add the finely chopped garlic and ginger. Stir-fry everything together for another 30 seconds, until the beef is no longer pink and the aromatics are fragrant.
- Add Sauce and Water: Pour in the remaining sauce mixture along with 1 cup of water. Stir rapidly to combine the sauce evenly over the beef and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Combine Broccoli and Simmer: When the sauce starts bubbling, add the cooked broccoli florets. Stir to coat the broccoli with the sauce and let the mixture simmer for 1 minute or until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat immediately to avoid overcooking the beef and broccoli. Serve the stir fry hot over steamed rice and garnish with sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- For tender beef, always slice against the grain and avoid overcooking.
- Broccoli can be parboiled or steamed prior to adding to the stir fry to ensure it cooks evenly and remains crisp.
- Adjust the amount of soy sauce to suit your salt preference.
- Sesame oil is optional but adds a great fragrant depth to the sauce.
- This dish pairs well with jasmine or basmati rice.
