I make beef and broccoli with homemade sauce at least twice a month, usually on those nights when I want something fast but still comforting. My kids call it “takeout without the wait,” which is funny because they’re usually standing at the stove stealing bites before I even plate it. This version uses a simple sauce you can stir together in minutes, and it tastes fresher than anything that shows up in a paper carton. If you love quick skillet dinners like my 15 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken, this one will fit right into your weekly rotation.
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What I love most is that the entire dish comes together while the rice cooks. The sauce thickens beautifully, the beef turns tender, and the broccoli stays bright. It checks every box for a weeknight win.
Why You Will Love This Beef And Broccoli With Homemade Sauce
- Ready in under 30 minutes, so dinner is on the table fast.
- Simple pantry ingredients, nothing fussy.
- Easy to adjust for spice, sweetness, or saltiness.
- Works with different cuts of beef, so you can use whatever is on sale.
- Tastes just like your favorite takeout but fresher and lighter.
- Great for meal prep because the sauce reheats well.
Ingredients For Beef And Broccoli
For The Beef
- 1 pound flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For The Broccoli
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For The Homemade Sauce
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water
Ingredient Notes
- Flank steak and sirloin both work well because they stay tender when sliced thinly.
- If fresh ginger feels like one extra step, I grate a bunch at once and freeze it in small portions.
- Low sodium soy sauce helps you control saltiness from the start.
How To Make Beef And Broccoli With Homemade Sauce
Step 1: Prep The Beef
Pat the beef dry. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch until lightly coated. This keeps it tender and helps the sauce cling later.
Step 2: Make The Sauce
Stir together soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Set aside. The mixture will look thin. The cornstarch slurry thickens everything at the end.\
Step 3: Cook The Broccoli
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
Add the broccoli and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until crisp tender.
Remove to a bowl.
Step 4: Cook The Beef
Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the same skillet.
Spread the beef in a single layer so it browns instead of steams.
Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the slices turn golden on the edges and just cooked through.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Return the broccoli to the skillet.
Stir the sauce once more, then pour it over the beef and broccoli.
Add the cornstarch slurry while stirring.
Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything evenly.
Step 6: Serve
Serve hot over steamed rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice.
Notes And Variations
Make It Spicy
Add sriracha, crushed red pepper, or chili garlic sauce to the homemade sauce.
Make It Vegetarian
Swap the beef for pressed tofu, mushrooms, or tempeh. Brown them well before adding the sauce.
Use Different Vegetables
Snow peas, bell peppers, and green beans all work with the sauce. I use whatever needs to be used up in the fridge.
Tips For Success
- Slice the beef while it is slightly firm from the freezer. It cuts thinly and cooks quickly.
- Keep the skillet hot so the beef sears instead of steaming.
- Prep all ingredients before turning on the heat, because this recipe moves fast.
Storage And Reheating
Refrigerate
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze
Freeze for up to 2 months. The broccoli softens slightly but still tastes great.
Reheat
Warm gently in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in short bursts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but thaw it first and pat it dry so the skillet does not fill with moisture.
Flank steak, sirloin, or skirt steak. The key is slicing thinly against the grain.
Use low sodium soy sauce and reduce the oyster sauce slightly.
Yes. If you love extra sauce for rice, double everything except the cornstarch slurry. Add the slurry slowly at the end until it thickens to your liking.
Recipes You May Like
- Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
- Simple Teriyaki Salmon Bowl
- Easy Sesame Noodles
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope this beef and broccoli with homemade sauce becomes one of those meals you pull out on busy nights when you want something tasty without any hassle. It is quick, flexible, and always hits the spot. If you try it, let me know what tweaks you end up loving.
Print📖 Recipe
Beef And Broccoli With Homemade Sauce
Description
Beef and Broccoli is an easy, 1-pan, 30-minute meal that is loaded with fresh broccoli, tender nutrition-packed beef, and the best stir fry sauce. We love this over steamy white rice.
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak, very thinly sliced into bite-sized strips
- 2 Tbsp olive oil (or vegetable oil), divided
- 1 lb fresh broccoli (cut into 6 cups of florets)
- 2 tsp sesame seeds (optional garnish)
- Stir Fry Sauce:
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tsp garlic, grated (from 3 cloves)
- ½ cup hot water
- 6 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce (or GF Tamari)
- 3 Tbsp packed light brown sugar
- 1 ½ Tbsp corn starch
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Start cooking white rice first so it's ready when the stir fry is done. Cover and freeze steak 30 minutes for easier slicing, then thinly slice against the grain.
- Combine all stir fry sauce ingredients in a bowl, stir well to dissolve the sugar, and set aside.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon oil. Add broccoli florets and sauté 4–5 minutes, partially covered, stirring several times until bright green and crisp-tender. Remove from pan.
- Increase heat to high and add 1 tablespoon oil. Add beef in a single layer and sauté 2 minutes per side or until cooked through.
- Add the sauce, reduce heat to medium/low and simmer 3–4 minutes until thickened.
- Return broccoli to the pan and stir to combine. Stir in 1–2 tablespoon water to thin the sauce if desired. Serve over white rice.
Notes
More steak options include Top Sirloin, Top Round, Tri-Tip, or Ribeye. For best results, use fresh vegetables—snap peas, bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms can also be added.
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