Lately Ben and I have been craving Chinese food something fierce.
Sesame Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Beef & Mushroom (guess who), Chicken Lo Mein – you name it, we’re drooling at the thought.
But for a guy who’s watching his cholesterol, and a girl who’s hyper-aware of the fact that she’ll be wearing a bikini in about a month, a trip to the local Chinese food buffet is simply, some may say tragically, out of the question.
Yes, if we’re going to feed our far-east food fixation, there’s only one place where it’s going to happen – at home. In my kitchen to be exact, where I can control the amount of fat and salt in my Chinese food, and serve non-super-human sized portions, like in tonight’s dinner of Broccoli Beef.
This is hands down the best Chinese dish I have ever made at home. Ben yelled obscene things regarding its utter deliciousness after his first bite. Ok, me too.
Bonus: after some prep work it took less than five minutes to cook. Literally from the time Ben walked in the door, took off his shoes and changed, I had stir fried succulent strips of flank steak, added in tender spears of broccoli, and swirled it all together in a salty, savory sauce. AMAZING!!
Start the dish with that little bit of prep work I mentioned. First, thinly slice 3/4lb flank steak against the grain. Flank steak is a pretty legit cut of beef in terms of tenderness (very), time it takes to cook (none), and price (relatively inexpensive). It’s also lower in fat than other cuts of beef, which makes it a great choice for Ben and me.
Place the slices in a plastic ziplock bag, add a mixture of cornstarch, mirin, and gluten free tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce) then mix it all around and let the beef marinate on the countertop for 10 minutes. FYI – mirin is a Japanese cooking wine that you should be able to find in most major grocery stores. Alternatively, you could use a little sherry in its place.
While the beef is marinating, steam 4 cups fresh broccoli for a couple minutes until it’s crisp-tender. Don’t overcook the broccoli (unless you really like mushy broccoli, which I actually do, just not in stir fry) as it will cook a bit more later in the program.
Next create the sauce for the Broccoli Beef by combining mirin, gluten free tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce), chicken broth and oyster sauce together in a bowl.
Ok, prep work’s over. Time to get cooking! Whip out your electric wok, regular wok, or the largest skillet you own, and heat it on high – that’s about 350 degrees for you fellow electric wok’ers.
Next, lay out all the ingredients for the Broccoli Beef stir fry BEFORE you start cooking. In addition to the marinated beef slices, cooked broccoli, and sauce, we’ve got 2 teaspoons chopped garlic, 2 teaspoons corn starch dissolved in 2 Tablespoons water, and 1 1/2 Tablespoons Canola oil.
Add the oil to the wok, then gently add the beef slices and spread them out into a single layer. Do not touch the beef for 1 full minute.
After a minute, stir the beef around, add in the chopped garlic and stir continuously for 1 more minute.
Next pour in the sauce and broccoli, and bring the sauce to a boil.
When the sauce is boiling, pour the cornstarch dissolved in water into the wok, and let the sauce bubble until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes or so.
That’s it!
Cook up white rice for the side, if you so desire, and top it with the saucy Broccoli Beef.
Like I said – hands down easiest and most tastiest Chinese dish I’ve ever made at home!
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Broccoli Beef
Description
Broccoli Beef is one of my favorite Chinese dishes to make at home. So good, you'll never order takeout again!
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound flank steak, sliced very thin and against the grain
- 4 cups broccoli cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1-1/2 tablespoons high-heat cooking oil like vegetable or canola oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
- cooked white rice
- For the Beef Marinade:
- 1 teaspoon low-sodium Tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce)
- 1 teaspoon mirin
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 2 teaspoons mirin
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium Tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Directions
- Place the sliced beef in a large ziplock bag. Stir together the marinade ingredients and pour into the bag. Smoosh to coat the beef in the mixture, then let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, steam the broccoli for 2 minutes, or until crisp tender. Do not overcook as the broccoli will cook a bit more later in the recipe.
- Stir together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat an electric wok, or very large skillet, over high heat. Add the oil then gently place the beef in the wok and spread into a single layer. Let the beef cook for 1 minute without touching it.
- Add the garlic and stir continuously for 1 minute, then add in the sauce and broccoli. Bring the sauce to a boil, then add in the cornstarch dissolved in water. Cook until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Serve over rice, if desired.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I love how the tamari and oyster sauce lend a deep, savory flavor, while the mirin lends just a wee hint of sweet. The broccoli soaks up all that good sauce too and is so, so, SO good.
Making Broccoli Beef at home is so much better than getting it from a greasy takeout joint. This was actually really light tasting, with no remorseful groaning on the couch afterwards. You know what I’m talking about…
Culinarystorm 02.29.2012
That looks beautiful! I love broccoli!
Amy 02.29.2012
This.looks.FAB! Can’t wait to make it!
My favorite Chinese dish is . . . honestly, almost anything. I really like orange chicken and I really like coconut shrimp. Coconut shrimp tastes like dessert! It’s crazy good. I’d love it if you could make a lightened up version of it. Hint, hint, hint!
Summer 02.29.2012
NOM. Do you know if “oyster flavored sauce” actually CONTAINS oyster? My dad would love this, but is allergic to all fish/seafood… I’m kind of hoping it’s like those awkward “cock flavored soup” packets that don’t actually have chicken
heather 02.29.2012
the chinese food place a few blocks from me has the *best* veggie lo mein- but i actually like healthier chinese food the most and they serve my favourite broccoli in garlic sauce on the planet(the older lady who does phone and counter orders knows me by now, which is a bit sad, i suppose, and they always tack on an extra container of spicy sauce when a girl name heather orders broccoli in garlic, because i put it on everything i eat for the next three days). sooooo good…!
Michelle (Better with Berries) 02.29.2012
I’ve NEVER tried cooking flank steak – for some reason I always assumed it was really expensive. This looks so delicious. I am sending the link to my boyfriend so he can look forward to me making it for him when we see each other next :-)
Lynsie 02.29.2012
I just recently came across your blog not that long ago and find myself spending a LOT of time scrolling through your past posts when I should be studying for my Nursing midterms. I made your recipe for Minestrone soup last weekend and with a few changes it turned out a-mazing! Definitely saved it for my recipe box to make again – soon! I make a similar dish to this, however I make it into a stir-fry with all kinds of different veggies, even though I’m sure my boyfriend would love it with just the broccoli (his favourite). I use cornstarch, soya sauce, and ginger though for the beef, but am eager to try out the different ingredients incorporated into this dish. Thanks for all the posts and great recipes. I look forward to new ones each week. :)
Kyler 02.29.2012
This looks delicious… I will definitely be trying! If you like kung pao chicken you should try the Sun Bird seasoning mix if you haven’t already. It is sooo good and also very easy. I just follow the directions on the packet except I don’t use all of the oil they recommend to cook the chicken. I’ve made it for my family and friends and everyone has loved it :) Here’s the link for what I’m talking about… most grocery stores sell it, although I haven’t had a lot of luck finding it at the Walmarts in my area.
http://kroger.elsstore.com/brandstores/112-williams-foods/categories/393-seasoning-mixes/products/33341-sunbird-mixes-kung-pao-chicken
Dena @ 40 Fit in the Mitt 02.29.2012
that broccoli looks amazing!
Julie 02.29.2012
I’ll have to try this soon, it looks great! We did a stir fry tonight. La Choy soy sauce is gluten free!
Kathy R. 02.29.2012
This dish looks amazing and easy enough that I might even be able to make it. Can’t wait to try it!
Lindsey 02.29.2012
Yum! Definitely making this!
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) 02.29.2012
Looks a lot like my dinner tonight! I always go for the teriyaki steak or shrimp w/ brown rice and veggies. So delicious.
Kelly 02.29.2012
YUM! Trying this!! :)
Lindsay @ The Reluctant Runner 02.29.2012
I used to go for lo mien or chicken and broccoli when I got Chinese food, but then I made the mistake of tasting my husband’s sesame chicken, and now that’s all I want! Thankfully we don’t get Chinese takeout often, but sesame chicken spends an obscene amount of time in my head :)
Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed 03.01.2012
Yum love all three of those dishes! Add in some wonton soup and an egg roll and I’m in!
Prairie Bee 02.29.2012
I’ve been Pinning you like crazy. This is what I wrote on my Pin tonight: “Broccoli Beef ~ not only does it LOOK amazing, this Iowa Girl’s step-by-step instructions are clear, idiot-proof (for someone like moi), and inspiring! Only prob is that I get hungry every time I look at her mouth-watering food!”
Tina 02.29.2012
I am fairly new to your site about 2 weeks. I love beef and broccoli so I can’t wait to try this recipe. Your photos are beautiful.
Jessica 02.29.2012
I love veggie fried rice.
$7.99/pound for that meat? Holy crap, I am glad I don’t eat meat, I would be poor :)
Iowa Girl Eats 02.29.2012
Definitely not as cheap as beans/tofu/other sources of protein, but we like for an every once in awhile treat! :)
j/k 02.29.2012
My go-to order at a Chinese food restaurant is General Tso’s Chicken. Most definitely one of, if not the most unhealthy thing on the menu. Plus throw in a crab rangoon.
Arlene Jacobson 02.29.2012
Must try. Looks yummy.
Lauren 02.29.2012
You’re the second person this week that posted about a smashing beef and broccoli dish. I think I need to make this with chicken. Looks fantastic!
Iowa Girl Eats 02.29.2012
You definitely should – I bet it’d be fantastic with chicken!