Description
A family-friendly stir-fry designed to be made with children, featuring tender beef, crisp broccoli, and a savory-sweet sesame garlic sauce that is faster and healthier than takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds flank steak or sirloin, sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 heads broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- White rice, cooked, for serving
Instructions
- Slice the beef against the grain into thin strips. In a medium bowl, combine beef with 2 tablespoons soy sauce, cornstarch, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, and black pepper. Toss to coat and let marinate.
- In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, water, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
- Wash and cut broccoli into bite-sized florets. Steam broccoli for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add oil and sear beef in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary) for 1-2 minutes per side until browned. Remove beef and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Stir-fry the pre-steamed broccoli for 2-3 minutes. Add the cooked beef back into the pan.
- Pour the sauce over the beef and broccoli. Stir gently and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve immediately over white rice.
Notes
Slice beef against the grain for tenderness. Do not crowd the pan when searing beef to ensure a good crust. Pre-steaming broccoli ensures it is tender-crisp and speeds up the stir-fry process. Use fresh ginger for best flavor. Sesame oil should be added to the sauce mixture, not cooked at high heat, to preserve its flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate with rice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 25
Keywords: beef and broccoli, sesame garlic beef, kid-friendly dinner, family cooking, stir fry, easy weeknight meals, shared cooking