Beef and broccoli is one of the most beloved Chinese-American dishes. With its tender beef, crisp broccoli, and savory brown sauce, it’s easy to see why it’s a takeout favorite. But did you know that you can easily make restaurant-quality beef and broccoli at home? This guide will teach you how to make authentic beef and broccoli just like your favorite Chinese restaurant.
Ingredients for Beef and Broccoli
To make beef and broccoli for 4 servings you’ll need
- 1⁄2 lb flank steak or sirloin, sliced into thin strips
- 1⁄4 tsp baking soda (optional for tenderizing beef)
- 3 tbsp water
- 11⁄2 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 tbsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
- 1⁄4 cup chicken stock
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1⁄2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1-2 tbsp water (for sauce)
Tenderizing and Marinating the Beef
The key to making tender beef like the restaurants is to break down the muscle fibers before cooking. There are two simple ways to do this:
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Use baking soda: Dissolve 1⁄4 tsp baking soda in 3 tbsp water. Add sliced beef and massage for 5 minutes until liquid is absorbed. This chemically tenderizes the meat.
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Velvet the beef: Marinate beef in a mix of cornstarch, oil, and oyster sauce for at least 30 minutes. The cornstarch coats the meat to keep it tender when cooked.
Whichever method you use, marinating the beef helps ensure it turns out tender and flavorful.
Blanching the Broccoli
Restaurants blanch the broccoli before stir-frying to partially cook it. This allows it to stay crisp-tender even when cooked further in the wok.
To blanch:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Add broccoli and blanch for 30-60 seconds.
- Shock in an ice bath to stop the cooking.
Blanched broccoli holds up better in the finished dish
Making the Sauce
A good sauce ties everything together. For Chinese restaurant flavor, use a combo of chicken stock, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar.
Mix the sauce ingredients together before stir-frying so it’s ready to go. Be sure to use both regular and dark soy sauce for a complex, rich flavor.
Stir-Frying Beef and Broccoli
Now you’re ready to stir-fry! Follow these steps:
- Heat wok on high until smoking. Add 2 tbsp oil.
- Stir-fry marinated beef 1-2 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Add 1 tbsp oil, garlic, and ginger. Cook briefly until fragrant.
- Add sauce mixture and simmer 1 minute.
- Mix cornstarch with a bit of water. Add to sauce to thicken.
- Add blanched broccoli and cooked beef. Toss 1-2 minutes until heated through and sauce coats everything.
That’s all it takes to make restaurant-worthy beef and broccoli at home!
Tips for the Best Beef and Broccoli
- Choose flank or sirloin steak for the best texture and flavor.
- Cut beef across the grain into thin strips for tenderness.
- Don’t skip blanching the broccoli—it makes all the difference.
- Use a hot wok and move ingredients constantly for even, fast cooking.
Customizing Your Beef and Broccoli
Once you’ve mastered the classic version, try mixing it up with add-ins like:
- Bell peppers
- Water chestnuts
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Baby corn
- Carrots
- Bamboo shoots
- Bean sprouts
You can also swap in chicken, shrimp, or tofu for the beef. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch.
Make it spicier with chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes. For a saucier dish, double the sauce ingredients.
Serving Suggestions
Beef and broccoli is usually served with steamed white or brown rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. Fried rice also pairs nicely.
Some other tasty sides include:
- Egg drop or hot and sour soup
- Potstickers or crab rangoons
- Fried wontons
- Steamed dumplings
A light, crisp beer like a lager or pilsner helps cut through the rich flavors. Green or oolong tea are classic beverage choices as well.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Cooked beef and broccoli will keep 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to prevent drying out.
The sauce may separate as it sits. Simply stir or shake the storage container before reheating to recombine.
Leftovers often taste even better the next day once the flavors have had time to develop. Enjoy!
With the right ingredients and techniques, you can easily recreate the beef and broccoli of your favorite Chinese restaurant at home. Impress your family with this classic stir-fry dish. Once you get the basics down, you can start customizing it to your taste.
Add Beef and Sauce to Finish
Add back the beef followed by the premixed sauce and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly and coated the beef and broccoli.
Garnish with sesame seeds. Serve with freshly steamed white rice and enjoy!
Watch the Beef and Broccoli Recipe Video Below!
- flank steak, cut into 1/4″ strips; see note below
- oyster sauce – my favorite oyster sauce is by Lee Kum Kee; they also make a great vegan alternative!
- light soy sauce – this is your “all-purpose” soy sauce, used primarily for seasoning
- salt
- white pepper – I love white pepper and it’s used very commonly in Chinese cooking (another “secret ingredient” for cooking restaurant quality Chinese food at home). It has an earthier, less spicy flavor than black pepper. I recommend having some in your pantry but if you can’t find it, you can always substitute with black pepper.
- baking soda – This is the KEY ingredient to super tender beef. Baking soda is commonly used in Chinese cooking to tenderize beef. Baking soda neutralizes acid and raises the pH level, which causes the meat to become more alkaline. This means the proteins INSIDE the meat will have more trouble tightening up – when the proteins can’t tighten up, the meat ends up much more tender when cooked.
- neutral oil, I used avocado oil – My favorite neutral oil is avocado oil, but you can also use canola or vegetable oil! I don’t use olive oil when cooking Chinese food for two reasons: 1. It has a low burning point and 2. I find that the flavor profile does not usually go with the dish.
- cornstarch – this is used for marinating the beef and also thickening the sauce (via a “cornstarch slurry). A cornstarch slurry is a mixture of cornstarch and water that is used in cooking to thicken without powdery lumps or additional flavors/colors! This is the secret to so many of your favorite Chinese dishes. My #1 tip is make sure your cornstarch slurry has not separated before adding it in – I always try to re-stir right before!
- dark soy sauce – dark soy sauce is thicker, darker, and sweeter – primarily used to add color and a richer, more intense flavor. I love using light and dark soy sauces together, as it creates a depth of flavor that can’t be achieved by using just one.
- sugar
- sesame oil
- msg – I like to use this in moderation as a flavor enhancer; it is always optional
- chicken stock – if you don’t have chicken stock on hand, you can substitute with water
- shaoxing wine – Chinese cooking wine is one of my favorite pantry staples; if you can’t use shaoxing wine, you can substitute with sherry, mirin, or chicken stock or broth.
- broccoli, cut into 2″ pieces – I recommend you avoid the pre-cut broccoli and get crowns from the store that you can cut yourself. It’s important that the broccoli is cut to similar sized pieces (1″) so they cook evenly and are distributed equally throughout the dish. I’ve noticed that pre-cut broccoli range widely in size, which will result in some broccoli pieces being under-cooked, while others will be over-cooked.
- garlic, chopped
- ginger, chopped
How to Make Perfect Beef and Broccoli by Chef Jet Tila | Lee Kum Kee Recipes
FAQ
What is Chinese beef and broccoli sauce made of?
What is beef and broccoli sauce made of? The sauce is a combination of beef stock, light and dark soy sauce, Chinese rice wine (you can swap for sherry if you haven’t got rice wine), sesame oil, sugar, white pepper and black pepper.
Why does Chinese restaurant broccoli taste so good?
Garlic Sauce Is The Secret For Chinese Food Takeout-Style Broccoli. Even adults don’t enjoy eating their vegetables sometimes.
What is the sauce for Chinese broccoli?
Whisk together hoisin sauce, sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat until sauce is thickened and no longer cloudy, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour sauce over broccoli; toss to coat and serve.
How do you make Chinese beef & Broccoli?
To make authentic Chinese beef and broccoli, you will need the following ingredients: For the Beef: For the Broccoli: Instructions Step 1: Marinate the Beef In a bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon Chinese rice wine, 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch, and 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil.
What is Chinese beef & Broccoli?
Creating an authentic Chinese beef and broccoli recipe involves a harmony of flavors and techniques that capture the essence of Chinese cuisine. This classic dish, known for its tender beef slices, vibrant broccoli florets, and savory sauce, is a staple in Chinese-American restaurants and households alike.
How do you make beef & Broccoli Super Sauce?
Combine ½ a cup of water, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 3 teaspoons of oyster sauce, ½ teaspoon of sesame oil and 1 teaspoon of brown sugar. (Side note: If you like your Beef and Broccoli super saucey, you may wish to double these sauce ingredients) In a separate small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of water with 2 teaspoons of cornstarch.
Can you cook Chinese beef & Broccoli in a skillet?
Chinese beef and broccoli uses a very flavorful sauce. It makes skillet cooking more tolerable. Plus, in the case of home cooking, you have a less powerful stove and might need to cook the food in more than one batch.
How do you make Chinese beef & broccoli taste better?
To elevate your authentic Chinese beef and broccoli, consider these additional tips that can make a significant difference in texture and flavor: Slice the Beef Thinly: The key to tender beef in stir-fry dishes is slicing the meat thinly against the grain.
Can I make Chinese beef and broccoli stir fry?
Yes, you can make Chinese Beef and Broccoli stir fry! This delicious dish is ready for the table, including prep time, in just the amount of time it takes you to steam the rice. Broccoli is one of our favorite vegetables, and one my kids are always happy to eat.