If you love Chinese takeout, you already know that beef and broccoli is one of the most popular, most comforting classics of all time. Tender strips of beef, crisp-tender broccoli, and that glossy, savory brown sauce that clings to everything — it’s a perfect blend of flavor and texture.
But here’s the best part: homemade beef and broccoli tastes even better than takeout, cooks in under 20 minutes, and uses simple ingredients you probably already have.

This Better-Than-Takeout Beef and Broccoli recipe delivers everything you want: deeply savory sauce, balanced sweetness, fragrant garlic and ginger, and perfectly cooked beef that remains juicy and tender. It’s fresh, customizable, fast enough for weeknights, and satisfying enough for weekends.

And because you control the ingredients, it’s cleaner, fresher, and more flavorful than anything in a takeout box.

⭐ Why This Beef and Broccoli Is the Best

Ready in 20 minutes
Uses everyday pantry staples
Sauce is glossy, rich, and ultra-flavorful
Beef stays tender thanks to a quick marinade
Broccoli stays bright and crisp
Tastes 100× better than takeout
Perfect for meal prep, bowls, and leftovers

This recipe nails the balance of sweet, savory, salty, and umami — the kind of sauce you want to drizzle over everything.

⭐ Ingredients

For the Beef

1 lb flank steak or sirloin, sliced thin against the grain
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon sesame oil

For the Broccoli

3 cups broccoli florets
1 tablespoon oil

For the Sauce

½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
1 tablespoon cornstarch
½ cup beef broth
1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional but adds richness)

Optional Garnishes

Sesame seeds
Green onions
Chili flakes

⭐ Instructions

1. Marinate the Beef

Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Toss beef slices until coated. Set aside while prepping broccoli.

2. Cook the Broccoli

Heat oil in a skillet or wok. Add broccoli and cook 3–4 minutes until crisp-tender. Remove and set aside.

3. Sear the Beef

Add a bit more oil. Cook beef in a single layer, searing 1–2 minutes per side until browned.

4. Make the Sauce

Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, cornstarch, beef broth, and oyster sauce. Pour into the skillet.

5. Combine and Thicken

Add broccoli back in. Simmer 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.

6. Serve Hot

Serve over steamed rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice. Top with green onions and sesame seeds.

Better-Than-Takeout Beef and Broccoli

Tender beef, crisp broccoli, and a rich savory sauce come together in this fast, flavorful, better-than-takeout stir fry.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings: 4 bowls

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese-inspired

Calories: 380

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Beef

1 lb flank or sirloin steak thinly sliced against the grain
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp sesame oil

Broccoli

3 cups broccoli florets
1 tbsp oil

Sauce

0.5 cup soy sauce low sodium recommended
2 tbsp brown sugar
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger minced
1 tbsp cornstarch
0.5 cup beef broth
1 tbsp oyster sauce optional

Equipment

Wok or large skillet
Mixing bowls
Knife and cutting board

Method

Mix soy sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Toss with sliced beef and set aside.
Heat oil in a wok and sauté broccoli until crisp-tender. Remove and set aside.
Sear beef in the wok until browned, cooking in batches if needed.
Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, cornstarch, beef broth, and oyster sauce.
Pour sauce over beef and simmer until thickened.
Add broccoli back in and toss to coat. Cook 2–3 minutes.
Serve warm over rice and garnish with sesame seeds or green onions.

Notes

Slice beef very thin for best texture. Use fresh broccoli for crisp results.

⭐ Tips for Perfect Beef and Broccoli

Slice beef thin

Thin slices cook quickly and stay tender.

Cook beef in batches

Overcrowding = steaming, not searing.

Use fresh broccoli

It stays bright, crisp, and flavorful.

Don’t skip the cornstarch

It helps the sauce thicken and gives beef a velvety texture.

⭐ Flavor Variations

Spicy Beef & Broccoli

Add chili garlic sauce, sriracha, or red pepper flakes.

Honey Garlic

Replace some brown sugar with honey.

Ginger-Lovers Version

Add extra fresh ginger for a brighter, more aromatic sauce.

Low-Carb Version

Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Extra Veggies

Add mushrooms, snap peas, or sliced bell peppers.

⭐ Serving Suggestions

This beef and broccoli pairs perfectly with:

Steamed white rice
Jasmine rice
Fried rice
Lo mein noodles
Brown rice
Cauliflower rice
Sesame noodles

Add extra sauce for a saucy bowl experience.

⭐ Meal Prep & Storage

Refrigerate

Up to 4 days.

Freeze

Up to 2 months.

Reheat

Stovetop with a splash of water or microwave in short bursts.

⭐ Nutrition Overview

Approximate per serving:

Calories: ~380
Protein: ~30g
Carbs: ~20g
Fat: ~18g

⭐ Why It Beats Takeout Every Time

Fresher ingredients
No excessive oil
Balanced flavors
Better sauce texture
More beef, more broccoli
Faster than delivery

When you want takeout comfort but homemade quality, this is the recipe that satisfies every craving.