Description
A quick and flavorful Savory Chinese Beef and Broccoli stir-fry featuring tender beef slices cooked with fresh broccoli in a rich, aromatic sauce made from soy sauces, Chinese cooking wine, and five-spice powder. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (can substitute with arrowroot powder)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon sugar (or brown sugar)
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce (or all-purpose soy sauce)
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce (or all-purpose soy sauce)
- 2 tablespoons Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine) (or dry sherry)
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder (or a blend of cinnamon, cloves, and star anise)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- Black pepper to taste
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil (high smoke point oil like canola or vegetable oil)
- 1 pound beef (fillet, flank, or rump) (quick-cooking cuts), sliced thin against the grain
- 2 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- 1 inch fresh ginger (thinly sliced or grated)
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Sauce: Combine cornstarch with water in a bowl. Add sugar, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, Chinese five-spice powder, sesame oil (if using), and black pepper. Mix until well combined and set aside.
- Marinate Beef: Slice the beef thinly against the grain into 1/4 inch pieces. Marinate with 2 tablespoons of the prepared sauce to tenderize and enhance flavor.
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of high smoke point oil over high heat until hot.
- Sear Beef: Spread the marinated beef evenly in the hot pan and sear without stirring for about 1 minute to develop a good crust.
- Cook Aromatics and Beef: Stir the beef for 10 seconds, then add sliced garlic and ginger. Continue cooking for around 30 seconds until the beef is no longer pink.
- Add Sauce and Broccoli: Pour the remaining sauce into the skillet along with a splash of water. Once the sauce starts to bubble, add broccoli florets and stir to coat them evenly. Let it simmer for about 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly and broccoli is tender-crisp.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and immediately serve the savory beef and broccoli mixture over rice or noodles. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch if desired.
Notes
- Use quick-cooking cuts of beef like fillet, flank, or rump for best results.
- Slice beef thinly against the grain for tenderness.
- Adjust sweetness by using brown sugar or regular sugar according to taste.
- Substitute Chinese cooking wine with dry sherry if needed.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
- Serve immediately for optimal texture and flavor.
- Optional sesame oil adds a nutty aroma but can be omitted for a lighter taste.
