Chinese Beef and Broccoli (Printable Version)

Tender sliced beef stir-fried with broccoli in a savory soy sauce with garlic and ginger—ready in under 30 minutes.

# Ingredients:

→ Meat and Marinade

01 - 1 lb (450g) flank steak or skirt steak, thinly sliced
02 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
04 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (optional, for tenderizing)

→ Sauce

06 - 120ml (1/2 cup) chicken stock or beef stock
07 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
08 - 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
09 - 2 teaspoons brown sugar or white sugar
10 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch

→ Stir-fry

11 - 1 head broccoli, cut into bite-size florets
12 - 1 tablespoon peanut oil or vegetable oil
13 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
14 - 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced

# Steps:

01 - Slice the beef against the grain into 0.5 cm (1/4 inch) thick slices or 1-cm (1/2 inch) sticks. In a small bowl, combine beef with soy sauce, peanut oil, cornstarch, and baking soda if using. Mix gently by hand until all slices are evenly coated. Marinate for 10 minutes while preparing other ingredients.
02 - In a medium-sized bowl, combine chicken stock, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Stir well until fully incorporated and set aside.
03 - Add 60ml (1/4 cup) water to a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When water begins to boil, add broccoli florets and cover. Steam until broccoli is just tender and water evaporates, about 1 minute. Transfer broccoli to a plate and wipe the pan dry if needed.
04 - Heat oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Spread marinated beef in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 30 seconds until bottom is browned. Flip and cook the other side for a few seconds. Continue stir-frying until surface is lightly charred while interior remains slightly pink.
05 - Add minced garlic and ginger to the pan with the beef. Stir quickly for a few seconds to release their fragrance.
06 - Return steamed broccoli to the pan. Stir the sauce mixture again to ensure cornstarch is fully dissolved, then pour into the skillet. Cook while stirring until sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Immediately transfer to a serving plate.

# Notes:

01 - For more tender beef, slice thinly against the grain and marinate with baking soda.
02 - Dark soy sauce adds color and depth of flavor; regular soy sauce can be substituted if unavailable.
03 - Peanut oil provides authentic flavor, but any high smoke point oil works well.

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