Better-Than-Takeout Beef and Broccoli: The Quick & Saucy Stir Fry You’ll Make Every Week

Beef and broccoli is a beloved classic — tender beef strips, crisp-tender broccoli, and a glossy, savory stir-fry sauce that clings to every bite. But here’s the truth: homemade beef and broccoli absolutely destroys takeout, both in flavor and freshness. When you make it yourself, the beef stays tender, the broccoli keeps its vibrant color, and the sauce tastes richer, silkier, and perfectly balanced between savory, sweet, and garlicky.

This Better-Than-Takeout Beef and Broccoli recipe gives you exactly that: restaurant-style flavor in under 20 minutes, using simple ingredients and a foolproof method. It’s fast enough for busy weeknights, packed with protein and vegetables, and customizable depending on your tastes. The sauce is thick, glossy, and loaded with garlic, ginger, soy, and a touch of brown sugar — the perfect harmony that makes this dish so iconic.

Let’s get into how to make it taste authentic, how to keep your beef incredibly tender, and what tricks take this dish from “good” to absolutely unforgettable.

Why This Beef and Broccoli Recipe Beats Takeout Every Time

Ultra-Tender Beef

We coat the beef in a light cornstarch mixture — a Chinese cooking technique called velveting. This keeps the beef juicy and tender even with quick stir frying.

A Sauce That’s Glossy, Rich, and Flavor-Packed

Soy sauce, beef broth, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and sesame oil come together for the dreamiest stir fry sauce.

Ready Faster Than Delivery

From slicing to serving, it takes less time than calling your favorite takeout spot.

Healthier, Fresher Ingredients

You control the sodium, sugar, and oil while keeping all the flavor.

Perfect Meal Prep Dish

Stays delicious for days and reheats beautifully.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Beef

• 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For the Sauce

• ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ½ cup beef broth
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

For the Stir Fry

• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Sesame seeds, for garnish
• Sliced green onions, optional

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Tenderize (Velvet) the beef.

Toss the sliced beef with soy sauce and cornstarch. Let rest 10 minutes to tenderize.

2. Mix the sauce.

Whisk soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, cornstarch, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger until smooth.

3. Sear the beef.

Heat oil over medium-high in a large skillet. Cook beef in a single layer 1–2 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.

4. Cook the broccoli.

Add broccoli with a splash of water, cover, and steam for 2 minutes until bright green.

5. Add beef + sauce.

Return beef to the pan. Pour in sauce and cook 2–3 minutes until thickened and glossy.

6. Serve.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve over rice or noodles.

Better-Than-Takeout Beef and Broccoli

A quick, flavorful, ultra-tender homemade beef and broccoli stir fry that tastes better than takeout and cooks in under 20 minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 bowls

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese-American

Calories: 320

Ingredients

  

Beef

• 1 lb flank or sirloin steak thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Sauce

• 0.33 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 0.5 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger grated

Stir Fry

• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Equipment

• Skillet or wok
• Mixing bowls
• Knife

Method

 

1. Toss sliced beef with soy sauce and cornstarch; rest 10 minutes to tenderize.
2. Whisk soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, cornstarch, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.
3. Heat oil in a skillet. Sear beef 1–2 minutes per side and remove.
4. Add broccoli and a splash of water. Cover 2 minutes to steam.
5. Return beef to pan and add sauce. Stir 2–3 minutes until thickened and glossy.

Notes

For extra tenderness, slice beef very thinly and always against the grain.

Pro Tips for the Best Beef and Broccoli

Slice the beef thin.

Freeze the steak for 20 minutes first to make slicing easier.

High heat = restaurant flavor.

Stir fry works best with a screaming hot pan.

Don’t overcook the beef.

It only needs a quick sear — overcooking makes it tough.

Use fresh garlic and ginger.

This adds authentic flavor that bottled versions can’t match.

Blanch or steam broccoli briefly.

It should be crisp-tender, not mushy.

Variations

Spicy Beef & Broccoli

Add 1 teaspoon chili paste or red pepper flakes.

Honey Beef & Broccoli

Replace half the brown sugar with honey.

Low-Carb Version

Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Extra Saucy Version

Double the sauce ingredients.

Veggie Add-Ins

• Snow peas
• Carrots
• Mushrooms
• Bell peppers

What to Serve With Beef & Broccoli

• Steamed jasmine rice
• Fried rice
• Rice noodles
• Brown rice
• Garlic sesame noodles
• Cauliflower rice for low-carb

How to Store & Reheat

Store:

Up to 4 days in airtight containers.

Freeze:

Freeze up to 2 months (best if sauce is doubled).

Reheat:

Stovetop with a splash of water, or 1–2 minutes in the microwave.